Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Encyclopedia
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the department
of the government of Canada
with responsibility for issues dealing with immigration
and citizenship
. The department was established in 1994 following a reorganization within the federal government.
Prior to 1994 the immigration was placed under several ministries:
The current Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
is Jason Kenney
.
recently started to take over some of the domestic field operations of the department while the Canada Border Services Agency
took over the control of enforcement and entry control at borders and airports.
CIC remains responsible for the establishment of policies and processing of permanent and temporary residence visa, refugee
protection and citizenship
applications.
to provide newcomers with settlement programs. These organizations are called service provider organizations.
The CIC funds the following programs through service provider organizations:
The services provided under these programs include the following:
Ministry (government department)
A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
of the government of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with responsibility for issues dealing with immigration
Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
and citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
. The department was established in 1994 following a reorganization within the federal government.
Prior to 1994 the immigration was placed under several ministries:
- Department of Immigration and Colonization 1917 to 1936
- Department of Mines and Resources 1936 to 1950
- Department of Citizenship and Immigration 1950 to 1966
- Department of Manpower and Immigration 1966 to 1977
- Department of Employment and Immigration 1977 to 1991
- Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1991 to 1994
The current Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)
The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada...
is Jason Kenney
Jason Kenney
Jason T. Kenney, PC, MP is Canada's current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. He has represented the riding of Calgary Southeast in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997....
.
Presence
CIC operates a large network of "Citizenship and Immigration Centres" throughout Canada and in an important number of embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad. Service CanadaService Canada
Service Canada is part of a Government of Canada-wide service transformation initiative aimed at responding to Canadians' expressed desire for better, more responsive, less cluttered service from Canadian governments...
recently started to take over some of the domestic field operations of the department while the Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
took over the control of enforcement and entry control at borders and airports.
CIC remains responsible for the establishment of policies and processing of permanent and temporary residence visa, refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
protection and citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
applications.
Funding
CIC helps immigrants and refugees settle in Canada by funding organizations like the Canadian Caregivers AssociationCanadian Caregivers Association
The Canadian Caregivers Association is a non-profit organization that was established to protect the and families from all over Canada and warn them about malpractice in this business...
to provide newcomers with settlement programs. These organizations are called service provider organizations.
The CIC funds the following programs through service provider organizations:
- Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
- Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (called the Integrated Service Program in Alberta)
- Host Program
- Resettlement Assistance Program (for resettled refugees)
The services provided under these programs include the following:
- Adult language classes in English and French
- Information on life in Canada
- Job searching
- Participation in community activities
- Access and referral to community resources
Related Legislation
- Citizenship Act of CanadaCanadian Citizenship Act 1946The Canadian Citizenship Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, which was enacted June 27, 1946, and came into effect on January 1, 1947, recognizing the definition of a Canadian, including reference to them being British subjects....
- Immigration and Refugee Protection ActImmigration and Refugee Protection ActImmigration and Refugee Protection Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, passed in 2001 as Bill C-11, which replaced the Immigration Act of 1976 as the primary federal legislation regulating Immigration to Canada....
Staffing
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada department employs 5,000 staff. In 2006 the Canadian government reduced the landing fee per immigrant by 50%.Current Citizenship and Immigration Structure
- Minister of Citizenship and ImmigrationMinister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada...
- Deputy Minister
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Client Service Modernization
See also
- Canada Border Services AgencyCanada Border Services AgencyThe Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
- Canadian nationality lawCanadian nationality lawCanadian citizenship is typically obtained by birth in Canada, birth abroad when at least one parent is a Canadian citizen and was born or naturalized in Canada, or by adoption abroad by at least one Canadian citizen. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who lives in Canada for three out...
- Economic impact of immigration to CanadaEconomic impact of immigration to CanadaThe economic impact of immigration is an important topic in Canada. While the immigration rate has declined sharply from its peak early in the 20th century, Canada still holds the title of accepting more immigrants per capita than any other country....
- Immigration and Refugee Protection ActImmigration and Refugee Protection ActImmigration and Refugee Protection Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, passed in 2001 as Bill C-11, which replaced the Immigration Act of 1976 as the primary federal legislation regulating Immigration to Canada....
- Immigration to CanadaImmigration to CanadaImmigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
- Permanent residentPermanent resident (Canada)A Permanent Resident in Canada is someone who is not a Canadian citizen but who has been granted permission to live and work in Canada without any time limit on his or her stay...
- Temporary residentTemporary resident (Canada)A temporary resident in Canada is someone who is not a Canadian citizen but is legally in Canada for a temporary purpose, including international students, foreign workers and tourists.Some foreign nationals require a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada...
External links
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Going to Canada - Immigration Portal: A source of free and useful information for newcomers and prospective immigrants to Canada.
- Foreign Credentials Referral Office: Provides information, path-finding and referral services on foreign credential recognition to help foreign-trained workers
- Canadian Caregivers Association: Information and resources for caregivers on the Live-in Caregiver Program in Canada.
- Canada Immigration: An immigration site with details on Canada Immigration.
- CIC Inland Processing Times: A historical graphical record of processing times for applications processed within Canada.
- Immipedia: A community written guide to Canadian immigration.
- e-CAS Tracker: A tool that automatically notifies people when their application status is updated on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's e-CAS service.
- Mapleleaf Canada: A reputable immigration consulting company that focuses on helping immigrants to Canada.
- CanadaBaba - Latest Canadian Immigration Information: Free resource for Visas, Immigration, Settling and getting Citizenship in Canada