Canada's Resettlement of Yemeni Refugees - Dalhousie University
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1
Canada’s
Resettlement of
Yemeni Refugees
Policy Options & Recommendations
2
Policy Team
Paul Beesley, ADM
Department of Finance
Elizabeth Burton, ADM
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Joshua Jones, ADM
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Christopher Fernandes, ADM
Department of Intergovernmental Affairs
3
Problem
Acute
How many Yemeni refugees do we accept, over what time
frame, given current system constraints?
Chronic
How do we improve current process inefficiencies to support
current and future refugee acceptance?
4
Refugee Resettlement Process
UNHCR & IOM Settlement & Integration
Recommendation 01 06
Resettlement Country Y1 Settlement
Interview
02 05
Services
Canada Settlement 04 Departure to Canada
Classification
03
The current process is necessary,
but constrains intake of refugees.
5
Canadian Context: Syrian Lessons Learned
Attitudes Capacity
Generally positive Backlog from Syrian
attitudes but decline in crisis and asylum
public opinion about seekers
refugees
Impact
Settlement
Additional cost
2016: delayed funding
Backlog
led to service cuts
Acting on OAG report
Numbers Provinces
Lack of planning Expressed concerns about
Ad hoc acceptance of funding, service provider
refugees capacity, & asylum
seekers
6
Atlantic Canada: Punching Above Our Weight
4820 Syrian
Demand Successes Refugees
Positive attitudes about • Peace by Chocolate
accepted
immigration & refugees, • Somru BioScience Inc.
although hardening • Design from Africa
Ivany Report: immigration
key to population and Key Stats
economic growth AC represents 6.5% of the
Canadian population but
Program Highlights
accepted 7.8% of Syrian
• Settlement Online Pre-
refugees
Arrival program
Only 28% of Atlantic
• Economic Mobility
Canadians thought Canada
Pathways Project
was accepting too many
Syrians in 2016
7
Risks
Responding
Additional backlog
Lack of resources
Public opposition
Not Responding
Humanitarian crisis
Loss of international respect
Process not sustainable in long-term
Public opposition
8
Problem
Acute
How many Yemeni refugees do we accept, over what
time frame, given current system constraints?
9
Addressing the Acute Problem
1 2 3
3,500 12,500 25,000
Over 1 year Over 3 years Over 3 years
10
Option 1 Analysis
Strengths
1
• Reduced intake does not put significant strain on existing
capacity and fits within existing IRCC targets
• Still meets international obligation to accept refugees
• Maintains public opinion to accept refugees
3,500 refugees in one year Weaknesses
• Potentially damaging to international reputation
• Contrary to public and government support (cooling) for
refugees
• Should we decide to renew commitment, we would have
to complete entire policy analysis11
Option 2 Proposal
2 2,500 4,500 5,500
12,500 refugees over 3 years
Phase 1 Evaluation Phase 2 Evaluation12
Option 2 Analysis
Strengths
2
• Contributes to the international commitment
• Allows for adaptability and flexibility when done in phases
• Similar to previous cases on refugee resettlement in the
past without pushing an ad hoc acceptance
12,500 refugees over 3 years Weaknesses
• Potential strain on existing capacity regarding provincial
collaboration
• Responsive to public opinion13
Option 3 Analysis
3 5,000 9,000 11,000
25,000 refugees over 3 years
Phase 1 Evaluation Phase 2 Evaluation14
Option 3 Analysis
Strengths
• Meets and exceeds international commitment
3 • Allows for adaptability and flexibility when done in phases
Weaknesses
• Potential strain on existing capacity regarding provincial
25,000 refugees over 3 years
collaboration
• Similar commitment constraints to the Syrian crisis
• Possibility to produce negative public opinion15
Problem
Chronic
How do we improve current process inefficiencies to
support current and future refugee acceptance?16
Why is this Issue Chronic?
Poor Inefficient Poor System
Ad Hoc
Communication Processing Coordination Overload
May creates a consistent chronic system failure17
Complex Problems Require Collaborative Solutions
Provincial Governments NGOs
Federal Government Communities18
Addressing the Chronic Problem
Improve Process
Expand Economic Mobility Pathways Project
Change IRB process (hearings)
Increase Capacity
Leverage additional IRCC resources
Transition to multi-year funding agreements
Improve Communications
Implement a pan-Canadian information campaign
Include Provinces and service providers in consultation
Emphasize Settlement
Promote Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) Program
Reduce barriers to Foreign Qualification Recognition (FQR)19
Issue not addressed
Option Analysis
Issue somewhat addressed
Issue addressed
Program Regional International Evaluation
Capacity Analysis Reputation Phase
Option 1:
3,500/year
Option 2:
12,500/3 years
Option 3:
25,000/3 years20
Recommendation
Acute
Option 2: Accept 12,500 refugees over 3 years
Chronic
Address chronic problem by implementing
recommended changes alongside acute
implementation21
Acute Implementation and Feasibility
Expand Economic Mobility Pathways Project to all provinces
Refugees are absorbed under the current IRCC multi-year Immigration Levels Plan
Minimal additional resources are required as refugees are absorbed into current budget & levels plan
2019 2020 2021
2,500 refugees 4,500 refugees 5,500 refugees
Evaluation Phase 1 Evaluation phase 2
CONCURRENT CHRONIC IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY22
External
Communication
Strategy
Audience Key Objectives
• General public • Explain rationale of number of refugee’s
• Media • Explain benefits to the economy
• Industry • Explain benefit to population growth
• Dispel any myths
Key Messages
Communication Channels
• The Government of Canada is committed to • #ImmigrationMatters
supporting refugees while ensuring the safety and • Social Media
security of Canadians • Departmental communications teams
• Refugees help support the Canadian economy and • Advertisements
population growth23 Internal Communication Strategy Audience Key Objectives • Provinces • Facilitate collaboration • IRCC • Keep consistency amongst internal organizations • IRB • Rationalize the number of immigrants • NGOs • UNHCR Key Message Communication Channels • Providing evaluative and • Internal emails consultative feedback to determine • Memorandums impact of refugees on communities • Intergovernmental Affairs
24
Risk Mitigation
High
Risk
# Risk Mitigation Strategy
1 Security Existing processes
1 5 2 Financial Additional IRCC resources
2 Not overloading current system
4
Severity
3 Public Opinion Communications Strategy
3 4 Provincial
Cooperation
Communications Strategy
Gaining Public Support
5 Capacity/Feasi Accounted for in Immigration Levels Plan
bility and budget
Low Risk
Likelihood25
Thank You!
Merci!
Questions?26
Summary
Recommend Implementing Option 2 uses
Option 2: chronic solution current
Accepting alongside acute available
12,500 solution resources within
refugees in 3 IRCC, requiring
phases over 3 no additional
funding
years27
Appendices28
Refugee Resettlement Process
Sourced from https://www.unhcr.org/3bd58ce9a.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1l1ROkLrMpSCqe1JPSnl0nCKMTM8WEaPFYcf38uxv13xZOZouo2Dn4bh029
Refugee Resettlement Process Continued
Sourced from: https://www.unhcr.org/3bd58ce9a.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1l1ROkLrMpSCqe1JPSnl0nCKMTM8WEaPFYcf38uxv13xZOZouo2Dn4bh030
Refugee Resettlement Process Continued
Sourced from: https://www.unhcr.org/3bd58ce9a.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1l1ROkLrMpSCqe1JPSnl0nCKMTM8WEaPFYcf38uxv13xZOZouo2Dn4bh031
Refugee Resettlement Process Continued
Sourced from : https://www.unhcr.org/3bd58ce9a.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1l1ROkLrMpSCqe1JPSnl0nCKMTM8WEaPFYcf38uxv13xZOZouo2Dn4bh032
Refugee Resettlement Process Continued
Sourced from: https://www.unhcr.org/3bd58ce9a.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1l1ROkLrMpSCqe1JPSnl0nCKMTM8WEaPFYcf38uxv13xZOZouo2Dn4bh033
Syrian Refugee Intake: Atlantic Canada
Canada - Admissions of
Syrian Refugees by
Province/Territory and
Census Metropolitan
Area (CMA) of
Intended Destination
and Immigration
Category, November
4th, 2015 – December
31st, 2018
Canada total: 61,95534
Settlement Services Accessed by Syrian
Refugees: Atlantic Canada
Canada - Syrian Refugee Settlement Service Clients by Province/Territory and Census
Metropolitan Area (CMA) of Settlement Provider Organizations, and Immigration Category,
November 4th, 2015 – December 31st, 2018
Canada total: 2855035
Cost of Syrian Response
Sourced from: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201711_03_e_42668.html36
Cost of Syrian Response Continued
Sourced from:
https://www.canada.ca/en/im
migration-refugees-
citizenship/corporate/publicati
ons-manuals/departmental-
performance-
reports/2016/section-4.html
3537
IRCC Multi-
year Levels
Plan
Sourced from:
https://www.canada.ca/en/i
mmigration-refugees-
citizenship/news/notices/sup
plementary-immigration-
levels-2019.html
3638
IRCC
Budget
Due to changes in
Immigration,
Refugees and
Citizenship Canada’s
reporting framework
in fiscal year 2018-
19, expenditures by
core responsibility
for 2015-16 and
2016-17 are not
available
Sourced from:
https://www.canada.ca/con
tent/dam/ircc/migration/irc
c/english/pdf/pub/dp-pm-
2018-2019-eng.pdf39
IRCC Budget Continued
Sourced from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/dp-pm-2018-2019-eng.pdf40
Immigration and Refugee Board Rejections
• The Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) decides appeals of decisions of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) to allow or reject claims for refugee
protection. A person whose claim was rejected by the RPD can ask the RAD to review this decision in order to assess whether the RPD was wrong.
An error by the RPD can be about the law, the facts, or both. The RAD decides whether to confirm or to change the RPD’s decision. It may also
decide to send the case back to the RPD to hear it again, giving the directions to the RPD that it considers appropriate. The Minister can also
appeal to the RAD a decision by the RPD allowing a claim.
• The RAD generally makes its decisions without a hearing, on the basis of the submissions and the evidence provided by the parties. The person
who is the subject of the appeal may also submit new evidence, for example, evidence that did not exist when the RPD made its decision. If
the RAD accepts new evidence, it will consider the evidence in its review. It may also order an oral hearing to consider this new evidence.
Sourced from: https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/statistics/appeals/Pages/index.aspx41
Immigration Levels by Country of Origin (2016)
Sourced from: https://issbc.org/our-resource/refugees-the-big-picture
4042
Public Opinion Stats
Year Question/Statement National Atlantic Canada
Average Average
2016 Canada is accepting too many Syrian refugees 36% 28%
2016 Overall, there is too much immigration in Canada 37% 29%
2016 Overall, immigration has a positive impact on the economy 80% 88%
of Canada
2018 Overall, there is too much immigration in Canada 35% 34%
2018 Overall, immigration has a positive impact on the Canadian 80% 83%
economy
2016 Stats from: https://www.environicsinstitute.org/docs/default-source/project-documents/focus-canada-2016-survey-on-immigration-and-
citizenship/focus-canada-fall-2016-survey-on-immigration-and-citizenship---data-tables.pdf?sfvrsn=f78360f5_2
2018 Stats from: https://www.environicsinstitute.org/docs/default-source/project-documents/focus-canada-winter-2018---immigration-and-minority-
groups/focus-canada-winter-2018---immigration-and-minority-groups---data-tables.pdf?sfvrsn=8e2f4661_243
Ivany Report
• Also known as “Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova
Scotians” or the “One Nova Scotia” report
• Report on the economic development opportunities and challenges facing
Nova Scotia
• Written by the Commission on Building Our New Economy with mandate
from the Government of Nova Scotia
• Published in 2014
• Resulted in 19 recommendations to grow Nova Scotia’s economy,
including growing Nova Scotia’s population through increased
international immigration
• “With the cooperation of the federal government, Nova Scotia will be receiving
annually its proportionate share (2.7% of all new international immigrants to
Canada, i.e. approximately 7,000 new permanent residents per year”
Sourced from: https://onens.ca/img/now-or-never.pdf44
Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP)
• Pilot project in partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB),
RefugePoint, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC),
provincial/territorial governments, community partners, UNHCR
Canada, and employers in Canada
• Provincial/Territorial Partners: Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Nova Scotia, & the Yukon
• Canadian government funded
• Tests refugee access to Canada's federal and provincial economic
pathways, and to document any barriers refugee applicants may face
• Reaches refugee populations in the Middle East and East Africa
Sourced from: https://talentbeyondboundaries.org/pilot-project.html45
Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA)
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funded program
delivered by 6 partner organizations in Canada
• Mosaic, CCIS, Regina Open Door Society, Altered Minds Inc., Ottawa World Skills,
Catholic Centre for Immigrants, & ISANS
• Delivers free pre-arrival services for job readiness, success and retention
• Resources and courses are offered at no charge, these include:
• One-on-one orientation
• Job search support and workplace culture training
• Referral to a wide range of post-arrival services upon entry to Canada
Sourced from: https://arriveprepared.ca/46
#ImmigrationMatters
Information campaign run by IRCC
to communicate the benefits of
immigration to Canadians
Launched in 2018
Explains the immigration and
refugee system in Canada
Explains how immigrants and
refugees impact the economy,
health and social services,
security, and settlement and
integration
Sourced from: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-
refugees-citizenship/campaigns/immigration-
matters/track-record.htmlYou can also read
