Category: Immigration & Settlement

In February and March 2023 IRCC ran sector consultations "to outline and seek feedback on departmental priorities for CFP 2024, in addition to asking partners what’s currently working well in the settlement and resettlement sectors, as well as key opportunities for improving services for clients." Like me, you may not have heard that these consultations occurred. Like me, you may have not seen the report. So here it is.

The next IRCC national call for proposals is coming. It might be later this year. It might be next year. Funding could roll out as soon as 2024. It might be in 2025. I'm starting to hear rumblings of sector consultations. This call for proposals is crucial. It will indicate how serious IRCC is about sector digital transformation and hybrid services. So what we can we learn from past consultations?

I recently attended an IRCC consultation focused on “Client Service Excellence.” The background paper they shared referenced below is here (and embedded down below). I haven't been asked to not share it, so I'm sharing it here with my thoughts.

I’m always inspired when I chat with folks in the sector, but this Metropolis Conference session reminded me of the incredible wisdom, knowledge, and passion that exists if we just ask! I'm sharing what we did and what we learned here to try to keep the conversation going.

Research which took place in Saskatoon during COVID-19 school closures, found that immigrant parents in particular were affected in four ways: parent-teacher communication was hindered; children’s second language acquisition was delayed; schooling was neglected in favour of supporting well-being; and, parents relied on their own communities.

How other countries have moved to digital immigration provides important clues for Canada. Modernizing could build an efficient and fairer system.

As Canada experiments with using artificial intelligence (AI) in its immigration and refugee system, we must ensure the system protects human rights.

Immigration decisions are complex with high stakes for the people involved. The government must tread carefully on using AI in the screening process.

Experimenting with a systems approach using AI will help reveal its potential and allow immigration officials to begin asking different questions.