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Results-Based Plan Briefing Book 2008-09

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

ISSN # 1718-6218

Ministry Overview

 

Vision

An Ontario where diversity is valued as a source of strength, where all people, including newcomers and women, contribute to a strong economy, caring society and enhanced quality of life. 

The ministry works toward this vision through:

  • Promoting the economic and social benefits of newcomers and the internationally trained to Ontario;
  • Working to improve the employment prospects of newcomers through appropriate language and labour market training;
  • Working with non-profit partners to build stronger communities through activities focussed on greater civic participation;
  • Recognizing the achievements of extraordinary Ontarians; and
  • Breaking the cycle of violence against women and promoting women’s economic security.

 

Mandate

The ministry, which serves two Ministers (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues) has lead responsibility for matters related to newcomers; volunteerism and recognition; and women's issues.

Through its program and policy development, and partnerships with other ministries, other levels of government, community and private sectors, the ministry works to promote diversity and to ensure that:

  • Newcomers are able to find work and work in their fields of expertise and have improved access to settlement and language training services;
  • Ontario builds on the success of programs that help newcomers gain the skills and experience essential to work in Ontario;
  • Barriers that prevent newcomers from participating in the economic and social life of the province are broken down;
  • More Ontarians volunteer in their communities;
  • The achievements of Ontarians who improve the quality of life in the province are recognized and celebrated and that civic engagement and participation are  encouraged; and
  • Women have access to services and supports to increase their safety and economic security.

The ministry’s Regional and Corporate Services Division is working to provide support to communities across the province and to ensure efficient provision of administrative services through continued focus on modern controllership, service integration, improved use of information technology and strategies for greater efficiency, effectiveness and cost containment.  The Division also provides this support to the Ministries of Culture and Tourism.

 

Areas of Responsibility

 

Immigration

  • Leading the development of provincial policies and programs to support the successful integration of newcomers into Ontario in five priority areas:
  1. Attraction initiatives (addressing labour market needs through immigration) and enhancing pre-arrival services
    • Through the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program, allow employers to attract skilled immigrants to meet their business needs.
    • Provide a gateway to information and settlement services for new immigrants through the www.OntarioImmigration.ca website to support the attraction of immigrants to Ontario.
    • Work with the Ministries of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), and Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to facilitate the attraction of skilled people and international students from around the world.

  2. Coordinated Settlement Services
    • Deliver an effective Newcomer Settlement Program, Language Interpreter Services Program and coordinate with the federal government to increase federal funding for enhancement to settlement services targeting youth and women. 
  1. A Comprehensive Language Training System
    • Deliver adult non-credit language training programs that help newcomers integrate socially and economically and work with the federal government to develop a comprehensive language assessment and training system for Ontario

  2. Labour Market Integration
    • Implement the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, including working with the Office of the Fairness Commissionerand providing services through Global Experience Ontario.
    • Support bridge training programs for internationally trained individuals in order to assist them in obtaining the training they need to use their skills and experience.
    • Work with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to develop training and employment services for newcomers.
  1. Community and Employer Engagement
    • Work with municipalities to develop local strategies and to provide information to prospective immigrants on the website www.OntarioImmigration.ca.
    • Continue Ontario’s Community Builders Program to promote and reflect Ontario’s diversity.
    • Engage employers to provide training and employment opportunities for newcomers.
  • Work in collaboration with the federal government to effectively implement the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement and with other levels of government to facilitate the successful economic integration of newcomers to Ontario in addressing the above priority areas.

 

Citizenship

  • Promote active community and citizen engagement and strengthened voluntary sector partnerships.
  • Work with other ministries and non-profit organizations on issues of concern to the sector.
  • Recognize the contributions Ontarians make to their communities and to the Province.

Ontario Women’s Directorate

  • Collaborating with ministries to encourage and communicate government action on women’s issues.
  • Cross-ministry coordination of implementation of government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan and work with new external advisory committee to identify additional steps that can be taken to improve the service delivery system.
  • Lead internal/external processes to develop a new Sexual Violence Action Plan.
  • Implement a wide range of public education and training initiatives throughout Ontario to prevent violence against women, improve supports to victims and increase women’s economic security.

 

This is a human resources organizational chart for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration as of April 2008.

 

 

Legislation

The current Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration was established by Order-in-Council number 1478/2005.  This Order-in-Council sets out the powers and duties of the Minister and the Ministry and provides the Acts for which the Minister is responsible.

According to Order-in-Council 1478/2005, as amended by O.C. 556/2007, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is responsible for the administration of the following Acts:

 

Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 31

The purpose of the Act is to help ensure that the regulated professions are governed by registration practices that are fair. To this end the Act sets out both a general duty of fairness and specific duties that the regulated professions must satisfy. 

The Act provides for the appointment of a Fairness Commissioner who will assess the registration practices of regulated professions and conduct regular audits of each regulated profession.

The Act also establishes the Access Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals to provide information and assistance to internationally trained individuals.

Holocaust Memorial Day Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.25

The Act proclaims Yom ha-Shoah as determined by the Jewish lunar calendar as Holocaust Memorial Day.

Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M. 18

This Act was created for a Ministry which was subsequently reconfigured.

By Order-in-Council, powers and duties under this legislation relating to citizenship were transferred to the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration.  Powers and duties relating to culture were transferred to the Minister of Culture.

The Act gives the Minister charge of the Ministry and responsibility for administration of its legislation. The Act allows the Minister to delegate statutory powers or duties to the Deputy Minister or to any employee of the Ministry.

The Act’s objectives include encouraging “full, equal and responsible citizenship among the residents of Ontario” and recognizing “the pluralistic nature of Ontario society”.

Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 18

The Act declares two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day.  Observance is to be voluntary.

 

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

The ministry's agencies, boards and commissions are:

Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest official honour. An independent Advisory Council recommends individuals to receive this honour in recognition of their outstanding excellence and achievement in Ontario and around the world.

Office of the Fairness Commissioner

The OFC is responsible for assessing the registration practices of certain regulated professions. Its purpose is to make sure these practices are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone applying to practise his or her profession, particularly for internationally trained individuals. 

Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers Advisory Council

An independent Advisory Council recommends youth, between the ages of 15 and 24, to receive the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers in recognition of their outstanding volunteer achievements.

Province of Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery Advisory Council

An independent Advisory Council recommends firefighters to receive the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery in recognition of their acts of outstanding courage and bravery while on or off duty.

Province of Ontario Medal for Police Bravery Advisory Council

An independent Advisory Council recommends police officers to receive the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery in recognition of their acts of outstanding courage and bravery while on or off duty.

Province of Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship Advisory Council

An independent Advisory Council recommends individuals to receive the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship in recognition of their outstanding long-term contributions to their communities.

Name

2008-2009 Expenditure Estimates

2008-2009 Revenue Estimates

2007-2008 Expenditure Interim

2007-2008 Revenue Interim

2006-2007 Expenditure Actuals

2006-2007 Revenue Actuals

Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

Office of the Fairness Commissioner

1 689 900

–

1 189 900

–

N/A.

–

Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers Advisory Council

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

Province of Ontario Medal for Fire Fighters Bravery Advisory Council

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

Province of Ontario Medal for Police Bravery Advisory Council

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

Province of Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship Advisory Council

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

N/A.

–

 

Published Results-Based Plan 2008-09

 

Government Priority

Key Strategy

Key Result

Strong People, Strong Economy

IMMIGRATION  

  • Work through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to provide for improved outcomes for newcomers coming to Ontario.
  • Provide improved information to prospective immigrants and newcomers through www.OntarioImmigration.ca.
  • Implement the Ontario pilot Provincial Nominee Program to help address labour market needs.
  • Deliver the Newcomer Settlement Program, Language Interpreter Services Program and support the Regional Services Branch to deliver Ontario’s Community Builders programs.
  • Deliver and enhance adult non-credit language training programs.
  • Continue to implement the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, to help remove barriers to participation for internationally trained individuals.
  • Build on the success of bridge training programs to support internationally trained individuals.
  • Work with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to deliver training and employment services to recent immigrants.

IMMIGRATION  

  • Newcomers obtain jobs commensurate with education and qualifications.
  • Internationally trained individuals gain licensure in regulated professions and trades.
  • Increased levels of settlement services activity.
  • www.OntarioImmigration.ca helps newcomers make more informed decisions about immigration to Ontario.

Stronger Democracy

RECOGNIZE AND PROMOTE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP / VOLUNTEERISM

  • Promote active community and citizen engagement and strengthened voluntary sector partnerships.
  • Work with other ministries and nonprofits on issues of concern to the sector.
  • Recognize the contributions Ontarians make to their communities and to the Province.

RECOGNIZE AND PROMOTE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP / VOLUNTEERISM

  • Increased percentage of stakeholders satisfied with tools, resources and strategic partnerships provided by MCI to enhance their capacity to attract and manage volunteers and/or deliver services to their communities.

Stronger, Safer Communities

IMPROVE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO WOMEN

  • Coordinate implementation of the Domestic Violence Action Plan across ministries.
  • Implement a wide range of public education and training initiatives to prevent violence against women.
  • Implement initiatives to support women’s economic security.

IMPROVE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR WOMEN

  • Changes in the attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.
  • Earlier identification of women at risk of violence and more efficient/effective supports for victims.
  • Increased employment opportunities for women.
  • Broad spectrum of partners engaged in prevention of violence against women and on other issues of concern to women.



Ministry Financial Information

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s investment to government priorities in 2008-09 is depicted in the following chart.

 

This pie chart shows the Ministry's investments in government priorities for 2008-09.


Table 1:  Ministry Planned Expenditures 2008-09

Ministry Planned Expenditures ($M)

Operating (1)

88.6

Capital

0.0

TOTAL

88.6


Note 1:  Includes transfer out of the Ontario Shared Services transactions to MGS.

 

 

Ministry Financial Information

 

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Table 2: Operating and Capital Summary by Vote

 


Votes/Programs

Estimates 2008-2009

Change from Estimates 2007-2008

Change

Estimates 2007-2008*

Interim Actuals *
2007-2008

Actuals
2006-2007

 

$

$

%

$

$

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND CAPITOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ministry Administration

19 632 800

155 600

0,8

19 477 200

20 817 300

22 454 120

Citizenship and Immigration

104 292 700

9 562 000

10,1

94 730 700

94 125 000

91 750 728

Ontario Women's Directorate

17 612 200

225 000

1,3

17 387 200

17 695 200

19 285 308

Regional Services

6 789 800

(23 600)

(0,3)

6 813 400

6 773 400

6 408 102

Citizenship and Immigration

Capitol Program

–

–

–

–

 

22 870 000

Total Including Special Warrants

148 327 500

9 919 000

7,2

138 408 500

139 410 900

162 768 258

Less: Special Warrants

–

(41 513 600)

(100,0)

41 513 600

–

–

Total to be voted

148 327 500

51 432 600

53,1

96 894 900

139 410 900

162 768 258

Special Warrants

–

(41 513 600)

(100,0)

41 513 600

–

–

Statutory Appropriations

80 187

1 647

2,1

78 540

78 540

67 300

Consolidations

(59 820 400)

(4 920 400)

9,0

(54 900 000)

(48 200 300)

(50 329 064)

Ministry Total Operating and Capitol

88 587 287

5 000 247

6,0

83 587 040

91 289 140

112 506 494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total Assets to be Voted

–

–

–

–

–

–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Estimates for the previous fiscal year are re-stated to reflect any changes in the ministry organization and/or program structure.

Interim Actuals reflect the numbers presented in the Ontario Budget.

Appendix 1 Annual Reports 2007/08

2007/08 Annual Report

Delivering On Key Priorities

Government Priority

Key strategy

Key Result

Strong People, Strong Economy

IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION

  • Implement the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, including joint collaboration with federal government on a comprehensive settlement and language training; developing a pilot Provincial Nominee Program and negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on immigration with the City of Toronto.
  • Build on the success of bridge training programs to support internationally-trained individuals.
  • Ensure the regulatory bodies create a fair and transparent registration and appeals process to provide timely access in Ontario’s regulated professions.
  • Work with partners in education to improve and integrate adult language training programs delivered in Ontario.
  • Continue to implement Ontario Immigration Portal.

IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION

  • Continued to implement the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement by:
    • working with the federal government and other affected Ministries to implement the Strategic Plan for Settlement and Language Training;
    • launching the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program;
    • pursuing information-sharing;  
    • signing and implementing an MOU with the City of Toronto; and
    • developing the Local Immigration Partnerships program with the federal government and municipalities.
  • Implemented the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006. The first Fairness Commissioner took office in March 2007.
  • Increased the percentage of internationally trained individuals in bridge training programs gaining licensure. Currently there are 64 active bridge projects across over 30 sectors with over 40 delivery partners.
  • Placed 72 interns across the government in the new Internship Program for Internationally Trained Individuals.
  • Served over 1,400 internationally trained clients at Global Experience Ontario.
  • Five new municipalities developed municipal immigration portals as part of the Municipal Immigration Information Online program, for a total of 17 municipalities participating. OntarioImmigration.ca has received over 488,000 visits this year.
  • MCI’s Specialized Language Training Pilot Project currently has 22 projects underway.
  • Increased levels of settlement services activity through the Newcomer Settlement Program, providing $5.35M in funding to a network of 82 immigrant serving organizations across Ontario.
  • MCI led Ontario’s commemoration of the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, 1807, including the establishment of a Bicentenary Centre, community grants, strategic partnerships, youth initiatives and an academic conference.

Stronger Democracy

RECOGNIZE AND PROMOTE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP/VOLUNTEERISM

  • Promote active community and citizen engagement and strengthened sector partnerships.
  • Work with other ministries and non-profit organizations on issues of concern to the sector.
  • Formally recognize the accomplishments of volunteers and other outstanding citizens.

RECOGNIZE AND PROMOTE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP/VOLUNTEERISM

  • Developed and continued to partner on eleven innovative voluntary sector projects designed to:
    • effectively engage volunteers, including newcomers;
    • benefit broad and diverse range of non-profit organizations across Ontario; and
    • develop resources that can be adapted and shared broadly.
  • Created ‘Insurance and Liability Resource Centre for non-profit organizations’.
  • Held 24 non-profit risk management workshops for 577 representatives of non-profit organizations across Ontario.
  • Provided 3 regional workshops for 130 organizations across Ontario to inform and encourage feedback on the Corporations Act reform initiative.
  • Delivered Ontario Honour and Awards and other programs, including three new programs, (i.e. Newcomer Champion Awards, Remembrance Day, and Tribute to the Fallen), that:
    • recognize volunteers for their long-term service to community;
    • recognize volunteers for their achievements and contributions to community;
    • honour fallen members of the Canadian Forces, fire-fighters, police officers who died in the line of duty and their families;
    • celebrate Canada Day; and
    • observe Remembrance Day.

Stronger, Safer Communities

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR WOMEN

  • Collaborate with Ministries to identify a broad agenda for women and implement the government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan.
  • Implement a wide range of public education and training initiatives throughout Ontario to prevent violence against women and increase women’s economic independence.
  • Undertake public education activities to increase newcomer women’s awareness of their rights and options under the law.

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR WOMEN

  • Neighbours, Friends and Families campaigns launched in over 70 communities; over 1M brochures and other materials produced in 14 languages and distributed province-wide.
  • Over 5,300 professionals from justice, health, education and community services sectors trained on domestic violence.
  • Provincial conference of Aboriginal leaders supported to address violence against aboriginal women. 
  • New public education campaigns launched in Aboriginal communities.
  • Provincial conference on Violence Against Women held, with 1,000 in attendance.
  • New provincial program launched to inform newcomer women about their rights and options under Ontario and Canadian family law.
  •  New Leading Girls, Building Communities award program launched to honour girls for exceptional contributions to their communities.


Table 1: Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures 2007-08


Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M) 2007/08

Operating (1)

91.3

Capital

0.0

Staff Strength
(as of March 31, 2008)

336.3


Note 1: Operating total includes ($48.2M) in consolidated adjustments.

 

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