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FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL AGREEMENTS (PNP) |
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1.What are provincial nominees?
2.Which provinces and territories have immigration agreements with the federal government?
3.The Canada-Quebec Accord
4.Who needs Quebec's approval?
5.What settlement services does Quebec provide?
Under the Constitution, the federal and provincial governments share responsibility for immigration, with federal legislation prevailing. The IRPA recognizes Canada's commitment to consulting with the provinces when setting immigration goals and to sharing the benefits of immigration across all regions of the country. CIC consults extensively with provincial and territorial governments when developing immigration legislation.
Section 8 of the IRPA allows the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to sign agreements with the provinces to coordinate and implement immigration policies and programs. Federal-provincial agreements outline specific responsibilities and establish mechanisms for the provinces and territories to contribute to the development of immigration policies and programs.
Federal-provincial working groups examine specific immigration issues, such as access to professions and trades, sponsorship, business immigration, promotion and recruitment, selection, settlement and language training, health, and information sharing and research.
1. What are provincial nominees?
Provincial nominees allow the provinces and territories to select immigrants for specific skills that will contribute to the local economy. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations establish a provincial nominee class, allowing provinces and territories that have agreements with CIC to nominate a certain number of workers. Nominees must meet federal admissibility requirements, such as those related to health and security.
2. Which provinces and territories have immigration agreements with the federal government?
Quebec: The Canada-Quebec Accord was signed in 1991 (see the following section).
British Columbia: An agreement signed in 1998 gave the province responsibility and funding for settlement and integration services, a greater role in immigration planning and policy, and a provincial nominee program. It also established a pilot project to attract business immigrants. In 2001, the B.C. government--in partnership with the Canadian government and professional organizations--launched a pilot project to help foreign professionals work in their field in B.C.
Saskatchewan: A 1999 agreement established a provincial nominee program.
Manitoba: The Settlement Services Agreement, signed in 1999, made it simpler to administer such settlement services as orientation, language training and labour market access. The parties also signed a provincial nominee agreement, which was expanded in 2002.
New Brunswick: A provincial nominee agreement was signed in 1999.
Newfoundland and Labrador: A 1999 agreement established a five-year provincial nominee program.
Yukon: An agreement signed in 2001 gave the territory a role in immigration planning and integration, and established a territorial nominee program.
Prince Edward Island: An agreement signed in 2001 covers a range of immigration issues, including planning and integration, and established a five-year provincial nominee program.
Alberta: A 2002 agreement established a two-year provincial nominee program.
Nova Scotia: A provincial nominee agreement is expected in 2002.
3. The Canada-Quebec Accord
The Canada-Quebec Accord, the most comprehensive agreement to date, gives Quebec certain selection powers and sole responsibility for integration services. The federal government is still responsible for defining immigration categories, planning levels of immigration and enforcing laws.
The IRP Regulations specifically describe classes of applicants destined for Quebec, such as the Quebec skilled worker class.
4. Who needs Quebec's approval?
Students, temporary foreign workers and foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in Quebec need the province's consent.
Permanent residents: The Canada-Quebec Accord gives Quebec exclusive responsibility for all foreign nationals who are neither members of the family class nor persons whom the IRB has determined to be Convention refugees. Those selected by the province receive a document called a Certificat de sélection du Québec. Before issuing visas, the federal government ensures that immigrants meet statutory admission requirements, such as medical and criminal checks.
Family class sponsors: Le ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration (MRCI) sets criteria for sponsors and assesses sponsors' finances. Case Processing Centres forward sponsorship applications from Quebec residents to the MRCI for approval. Applicants complete sponsorship undertakings for Quebec.
The Quebec government has set fees for some of the MRCI's immigration-related services. For information on current fees, contact the MRCI directly.
5. What settlement services does Quebec provide?
The Quebec government provides settlement and integration services to newcomers to the province. These services include reception, counselling, language training and other services to help newcomers adapt to Quebec society. Often, the provincial government provides them in partnership with community organizations. These services must correspond overall to those provided by the federal government elsewhere in the country.
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