IRCC has released a strategy aimed at addressing barriers and complexities in the immigration and settlement systems, including processing delays and inequitable employment outcomes.

The strategy also acknowledges the impact of housing, health care, and other factors on immigration processes and immigrant outcomes. The successful implementation of this strategy will require strong, centralized leadership, clear processes for consultation with stakeholders, and intergovernmental collaboration at all levels.

World Education Services recommends establishing clear governance led by the Privy Council in the Office of the Prime Minister to manage a pan-Canadian approach to implement the strategy, as well as developing a framework for setting targets and timelines, identifying clear roles and responsibilities, and ensuring accountability and enforcement. They also emphasize the importance of working with all provinces to improve coordination and engaging provincial regulators to ensure transparent and consistent registration requirements in regulated occupations.

The implementation of IRCC’s immigration strategy requires a pan-Canadian approach with effective, centralized coordination. Strong central governance is essential to the success of the strategy, and IRCC has outlined a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Key recommendations include establishing a division in the Privy Council Office to coordinate among key ministries, convening a Ministers’ Task Force, and engaging civil society to provide feedback.

Timelines, targets, clear responsibilities, accountability and enforcement mechanisms, and transparent reporting are also crucial for success. To ensure the success of the plan, IRCC must establish targets and timelines, identify clear roles and responsibilities, develop a framework for stakeholder input, implement mechanisms for accountability and enforcement, and establish formal reporting processes. Coordinated mechanisms for intra- and inter-governmental collaboration and engagement are also key, with a focus on the Provincial Nominee Program and increasing coordination between provinces to promote regional alignment and support long-term settlement and integration across Canada.

The federal government should seek to establish more consistent registration requirements in regulated occupations between provinces, as nearly half of all immigrants who arrive in Canada through certain programs work in regulated occupations. This can be accomplished through the development of consistent standards for licensing and mutual recognition of qualifications across jurisdictions, as well as federal government engagement with provincial Fairness Commissioners and superintendents to encourage collaboration and information-sharing.

Source: WES-Response-to-An-Immigration-Plan-for-Canadas-Future.pdf