CIC NEWS
The Canadian federal government department that used to be called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been renamed Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Usage of the new name began soon after the new government of Canada took office in November, 2015, but has become more apparent over the opening weeks of 2016.
IRCC facilitates the arrival of immigrants to Canada, provides protection to refugees, and offers programs to help newcomers settle in Canada. IRCC’s mandate also extends to granting citizenship, issuing travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians, and promoting multiculturalism.
While the acronym ‘CIC’ continues to be used in some cases, particularly on older webpages and program guides, it has become increasingly apparent over the first few months of the present government’s term in office that ‘IRCC’ is preferred in most official publications and communications.
To avoid any confusion, stakeholders should note that CIC and IRCC are not two separate departments. If documents or publications refer to CIC in one instance and IRCC in another, they are actually referring to the same department. IRCC is not so much a new department, but the successor to one that has existed for many years. However, the name CIC may continue to be used for some time by some stakeholders, such as Canadian provincial and territorial governments.
The addition of the word ‘refugees’ in the official name of the government department reflects the current government’s focus on humanitarian and refugee immigration to Canada. That being said, the government has made it clear that Canada will uphold an open and welcoming immigration policy for skilled immigrants and family class programs. There is no evidence to suggest that economic immigration or family reunification is less important to this government than its predecessors; indeed, the government has pledged to increase funding allocated to IRCC to improve program delivery and processing times.
In addition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a public mandate to the Minister overseeing IRCC, John McCallum, to increase the maximum age for dependents to 22, from 19, to allow more Canadians to bring their children to Canada. Minister McCallum has also been asked to look into giving additional points under the Entry Express immigration selection system to provide more opportunities for applicants who have Canadian siblings.
Immigration
The ‘Immigration’ portion of the department title refers to Canada’s efforts to build and maintain a policy of welcoming newcomers in a way that is beneficial to Canadians and newcomers alike. Canada has traditionally been a country with a progressive, open immigration policy, with most Canadians being able to trace foreign ancestry within just a few generations. As Canada faces a demographic challenge and wishes to have strong economic growth and security, immigration is likely to continue to play an important role in Canada’s future.
To learn more about immigration to Canada, click here.
Refugees
The word ‘Refugees’ is the one and only word that has been added to the department’s new name. Instability and conflict over recent years in some regions of the world has led to an increase in the number of refugees globally. These individuals and families have been forced from their homes and are often in extremely vulnerable situations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there are 60 million such persons in the world.
The current government of Canada has responded to this reality not only by making a semantic change to a government department, but also through concrete action. A huge effort has been made to expedite the arrival of refugees from Syria, with the government now on target to meet its commitment to settle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February.
To learn more about refugees and Canada, click here.
Citizenship
One of the defining characteristics of Canada’s immigration policy is that it provides a pathway to Canadian citizenship for individuals who make the major life decision to immigrate to Canada. Becoming a Canadian citizen and joining the Canadian family is very often a humbling and emotional benchmark in an immigrant’s life.
Citizenship remains an important component of IRCC, as it was before the department was renamed.
To learn more about eligibility requirements for Canadian citizenship, as well as the rights and responsibilities that citizenship confers on an individual, click here.
CICNews will retain its current name
The Canada Immigration Newsletter, published exclusively on CICNews.com on a bi-monthly basis, will continue to be published on CICNews.com for the time being.
To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs operated by IRCC, please fill out a free online assessment today.
© 2016 CICNews All Rights Reserved
ibrahim says
How can I go to canada please I want know
PKT says
The IRCC department staff, their email addresses, Website are still
“cic.gc.ca”
Krisel T. Solomon says
Just wanna try my luck for a greener pasture and make the most out of it.
Tess says
It is nice to see that Canada brought refugees from Syria to help them start new life here, a noble act of humanity that brought 25,000 Syrians with automatic status of permanent residency(i read). But one thing is for sure there were no screening done of what skills do they have to help Canada’s economy. Why do i have to say this? I was a victim also but not a war refugee… but a Mother with special child in the Philippines. Canada refused my son to enter Canada because he have auteism… that made me non eligible also. They said my son will have more medical demands despite of my pledge that i wont ask for help in Canadian goverment for his therapy, I just want to be with him. I worked hard and devoted my self to my company here in Canada and a responsible citizen who paid tax and abide the laws of Canada… but why did Cic refused my son ? I beg so much for this. My son is only one but refugees are 25,000.
hamid says
I wanna continues education for better live and better learn in Canada
neriman ismajli says
Hi a.em interesting to come in Canada
kedir shuguri hassen says
I like to this website I hope one day I live in Canada?because I love this country all over the country… I want to be helping this process to easy ways? l learning and working for Canada people abto forever in my life…Canada people its best one for me…my life is for Canada people..I wish you good luck….!
Javaughn says
I need to insert my skill in canada,my intrest lay here from I was a kid.
iraoya says
Please, what Canadian agency can provide an ECA REOPRT ON MY MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH DEGREE?
Naseem Zafar says
Please give me a piece of advice as I likely to desire to get immigration of Canada. I have a lot of experience of rig mechanic in oil and gas field in Middle East Countries.
Randeep Bhullar says
It’s a great way to get new updates
Nitishtanwar says
How can i go to Canada plz i want know
Nitishtanwar says
Who can i get citizenship Of Canada
Mohamed says
am Mohamed Abdulqadir Ali Kenya in Nairobi refugees place help
Duduzile Mamashela-Sichalwe says
I was deported from Canada in 2011. Canada Border Services bought me an air ticket. I have just sent my Canadian born children born 2007 and 2010 to live with their father as unemployment was exposing them to deplorable conditions. Among them learning in vernacular . We spoke English at home cos of my Canadian born son so they were disadvantaged.
When I left Canada the condition was I pay the government for the air ticket and wait for my husband to sponsor me.
He has failed to do that in five years. Is there another way I can join my kids. Children really need the love of a mother
Bev Brown says
Who actually has power over the Canadian Embassy in Havana?
Discrimination against Cubans and even Canadians has to stop.
I have experienced discrimination as a Canadian citizen.
The Cuban temporary foreign worker was discriminated against by gender.
Judgements are based on incorrect information.
I know of many Cubans treated like dirt at the Cnd. Embassy in Havana.
I know of a couple that are permanent residents of Canada that were treated so badly when they went to the Embassy for help. Everyone is in shock that the Cnd. Embassy has the power to treat people this way and not be accountable for it. Who can I write to?
There must be somebody over the Embassy. I have yet to find anyone in our Cnd. government that knows who !
mst parvin akter says
mst parvin akter, master’s complete, until I doing a garments job hear in Bangladesh, my age 35 years, I want go to Canada for do work and stay, pls how way can I get by a visa.
Dilip R Patel says
What about people who had applied in the year 2007 and still not got the visa.
Mokrane says
My name is Houacine Mokrane i have 23years ago j’ai nèe en 30/12/1994 j’ai un dèplome en èlectricitè batimments proffessionnel j’ai pas boucoup d’expérience sauf j’ai la main et la bas je travaille au reception d’hôtel je suis en stage pratique bien sur je chercher des moyen pour immigrée au Canada thanks.
Charity Pepito says
Please i want to apply and move to canada
Shah nadeem says
How I go to Canada while my Real brother is there but I want do my self how I possible just instruct me.