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REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES

March 10, 1999

Council Date: March 23, 1999

1. Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century RTS: 610

New Directions for Immigration and File: 111
Refugee Policy and Legislation (white paper)

PREAMBLE

While it is the responsibility of the provincial and federal governments to formulate policy and deliver implementation programs on immigration, immigration nevertheless profoundly affects everyday life in the City and directly impacts municipal resource allocations. The City continually tries to ensure its services are responsive to its diverse, changing community.

A task force of Council's Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities has reviewed the above-captioned report released on January 6, 1999. This white paper is the result of a process that began with the work of the Legislative Review Advisory Group in 1997, followed by ministerial consultations in early 1998.

At that time, the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities made a submission to Council that included an analysis of the proposed changes, highlighting specific concerns and questions.

Our present submission addresses the review of the follow-up document, Building on a Strong Foundation for the 21st Century, with recommendations to Council on issues of particular interest to the City and its cultural communities. Comments submitted to the Federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration prior to March 31, 1999 will be considered as new legislation is developed.

Council was previously interested in two specific areas: the proposed federal-provincial council on immigration matters and the potential availability of funds from the immigration investment program. The white paper does not provide for a federal-provincial council on immigration and protection, nor does it address the earlier recommendations relating to the distribution of interest-free loans to the provinces. As was previously suggested,municipalities should be given a meaningful opportunity to contribute to decisions on how to resource the settlement and integration of newcomers. The mere inclusion in the white paper of provisions for "regular, structured dialogue" is inadequate because it does not define a formal process that would ensure the active participation of municipalities in decision making. (See Recommendation B)

Growth in provincial and municipal economies has in large measure been the result of strong investment and business immigration. The recent drop in Asian immigration has had a significant impact on the local economy. Increased immigration requirements for the business class would further discourage potential business immigrants who may choose a more favourable business climate. (See Recommendation C)

Using the criteria of the experience of trauma and violence for prioritizing the selection of refugees for admittance to Canada impacts the local community's ability to integrate these new Canadians. Support services in the areas of settlement and trauma counselling must be increased to ensure successful integration since this category of immigrants have very specific needs apart from the typical integration issues. (see Recommendation D)

Under the section of "Modernizing the Selection System For Skilled Workers and Business Immigrants," it is proposed that new legislation "emphasize flexibility, adaptability, motivation and knowledge of Canada, under personal suitability." It is a concern that the "personal suitability" section is subjective and open to interpretation based on personal biases of the evaluator. Historically, this category has been subject to abuse to the detriment of specific ethnocultural groups. Given that immigration is largely an urban phenomenon, municipal governments should have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to this definition. (See Recommendation E)

CONCLUSION

As with the original recommendations in the Legislative Review Advisory Group Report in 1997, many of the recommendations in this white paper address concerns and challenges in the current immigration policy and legislation that were identified by Canadians. However, the effectiveness of policy will depend on the follow-through implementation - how practical, efficient and consistent the implementing procedures and mechanism will be, and how fairly they will be administered.

Therefore, the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities RECOMMENDS

A. i) THAT the City of Vancouver prepare a submission to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration;

ii) THAT the issues outlined by the Special Advisory Committee be incorporated in the City's submission.

B. THAT Council express its concern about the challenges of community integration, and the current exclusion of municipalities in the decision-making process particularly as it affects the distribution of settlement and integration resources.

C. THAT any new immigration and refugee legislation effectively encourage business immigration. Strengthened language requirements and higher-education attainment, as well as an increase in net worth and investment requirements, will likely discourage such immigration.

D. THAT City Council, in its submission to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, should include comments on the section in the white paper entitled "Strengthening Refugee Protection." Specifically, the issue of "shifting the balance toward protection rather than the ability to settle successfully in selecting refugees" must be addressed.

E. THAT City Council, in its submission, request clarification of the term "personal suitability" and the identification of criteria for determination.

Dianne Wells Ledingham
Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager supports the recommendations outlined by the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities and put forward for Council's consideration. The City of Vancouver has undertaken many initiatives that are inclusive and responsive to the increasing diversity in the community. A submission to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration will help to highlight the need for local government input into the implementation of new policy and legislation.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver