Response to Parliamentary Committees and External Audits
Response to parliamentary committees
The Day After: Planning for the Protection of Religious and Ethnic Minorities in a Post-Daesh Iraq
On February 4, 2016 and June 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development agreed to study the human rights situation of Yazidis, Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on April 10, 2017. The report contained five recommendations addressing, notably: the development of measures for immediate action to protect the most vulnerable; the identification of groups that may be at risk of future violence; support of the capacity of judicial bodies and assistance in the establishment of a “specialized war crimes chamber”; and support of the rule of law and good governance.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on July 19, 2017.
Starting Again: Improving Government Oversight of Immigration Consultants
On October 4, 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration agreed to study the legal, regulatory and disciplinary frameworks governing and overseeing immigration, refugee and citizenship consultants and paralegal practitioners in Canada. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on June 16, 2017. The report contained 21 recommendations addressing: the creation, standards and guidelines of an independent public-interest body governing the profession of immigration consultants; regulations and standards to represent applicants; complaints procedures; increased financial support to settlement agencies; appropriate sharing of rules and information with applicants; development of educational campaigns; review of the use of consultants by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clients; review of “ghost consultant” practices; implementation of a tariff system for the immigration consulting industry; and targeted funding to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for investigation matters.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on October 16, 2017.
LGBTQ+ At Risk Abroad: Canada’s Call to Action
On October 4, 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration agreed to study the 2011 Government of Canada pilot project for refugees in need of protection on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on June 20, 2017. The report contained 15 recommendations addressing: resettlement processing times; advanced sexual and gender diversity training needs; specific settlement needs; partnerships with civil society organizations; processing of legacy refugee claims and Immigration and Refugee Board funding; analysis of policies; review of medical inadmissibility and excessive demand provisions; the Rainbow Refugee Program; the defence of LGBTQ+ rights; and funding for LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on October 18, 2017.
Immigration to Atlantic Canada: Moving to the Future
As per a motion agreed to by the House of Commons on November 2, 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration undertook, on May 29, 2017, a study on immigration to Atlantic Canada. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on November 9, 2017. The report contained 24 recommendations on a wide range of issues including: retention challenges; settlement services; planning of immigration policies and programs; retention of Francophone immigrants; the Atlantic Growth Strategy; the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program; international students; resettled refugees; foreign qualifications; job skills; attraction of immigrants; settlement strategies; regional offices and staff; diversity education and inclusion.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on March 19, 2018.
Breaking the Cycle: A Study on Poverty Reduction
On June 13, 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities agreed to study poverty reduction strategies in Canada. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on May 31, 2017. The report contained 51 recommendations on a wide range of issues, notably that IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada work with regulatory agencies and other provincial and territorial stakeholders to establish a harmonized system for the assessment and recognition of international qualifications.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on September 28, 2017.
On May 29, 2017, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts held a meeting to study the Auditor General of Canada’s audit on policies, procedures, processes and activities to address risk related to corruption of immigration and border services staff. Subsequent to this meeting, the Committee tabled a report on September 26, 2017. The report contained five recommendations addressing, notably, the implementation and progress report of the International Network Professional Conduct Standard, and a mandatory training program for locally engaged staff.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on January 17, 2018.
Canada’s Support to Ukraine in Crisis and Armed Conflict
On October 16, 2017, the House of Commons Standing Committee agreed to study Canada’s role in the Ukraine crisis. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on December 11, 2017. The report contained 17 recommendations, addressing, notably, visa-free travel to Canada for Ukrainians, and the reinstatement of the Youth Mobility Agreement with Ukraine.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on March 28, 2018.
On October 16, 2017, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration agreed to study the federal government’s policies and guidelines regarding medical inadmissibility in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), notably through the lens of excessive demand on health and social services provisions. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on December 13, 2017. The report contained five recommendations addressing: consultations with provinces and territories; modernization of section 38 (1)(c) of IRPA; data collection; proper training for immigration/visa officers and medical officers; calculation of cost threshold for excessive demand; expansion of the categories of exemptions to the excessive demand provision; and provision of clear and comprehensive information.
The Government Response to the Committee’s report was tabled on April 16, 2018.
Road to Recovery: Resettlement Issues of Yazidi Women and Children in Canada
On October 16, 2017, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration agreed to request an update on the resettlement issues faced by Yazidi women and girls in Canada. Subsequent to this study, the Committee tabled a report on March 29, 2018, which contained 12 recommendations addressing: refugee resettlement targets; facilitating private sponsorship; facilitating a favourable environment for return; building cohesive communities; strengthening settlement services; developing best practices for the resettlement of vulnerable groups; ensuring proximity to services and affordable housing; improving mental health support and access; anticipating interpretation needs; developing community interpreting; encouraging language acquisition; and supporting family reunification.
On February 13, 2018, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts held a meeting to study the Auditor General of Canada’s audit on selected settlement services offered to Syrian refugees. Subsequent to this meeting, the Committee tabled a report on March 28, 2018. The report contained four recommendations, seeking progress reports on: enhancements made to the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) system; information and orientation to service providers; support services and employment-related services; Outcomes Monitoring Framework (OMF); and performance information.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
The 2017 Spring Report of the Auditor General of Canada included the Audit of Preventing Corruption in Immigration and Border Services. The audit focused on whether IRCC and the CBSA implemented selected controls—meaning policies, procedures, processes and activities—to address the risk that immigration and border services staff could be corrupted. The report contains two recommendations for improvement directed toward IRCC. The Department agreed with the recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the report includes IRCC’s response to the recommendations. The Department has fully implemented both recommendations. IRCC has developed and implemented the International Network Professional Conduct Standard, which addresses the issues raised in the recommendations. The Standard, which became effective on April 1, 2017, focuses on the comprehensive management of risks related to internal fraud in the international context of program delivery.
The 2017 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada included the Audit of Settlement Services for Syrian Refugees. The audit focused on whether Syrian refugees received selected IRCC-funded settlement services that were needed to help them integrate into Canada. It also examined whether the Department measured the outcomes of its efforts to settle Syrian refugees. The report contains four OAG recommendations for improvement directed toward IRCC, and the Department agreed with these recommendations and has fully implemented one of them. This involved updating the OMF and the Syrian Refugee Initiative Performance Information Profile, both of which include a more focused list of indicators and key data needs. In addition to these foundational documents, IRCC has put in place a multi-pronged data strategy to further strengthen departmental capacity to monitor, analyze and report on outcomes for Syrian refugees, and course correct as needed. Actions to address the remaining three recommendations are on target to be completed in 2018–19.
Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) – Review of the Operationalization of the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act (SCISA)
The OPC examined the information-sharing activities under SCISA for the one-year period of August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016. Five federal entities were selected for review, all of which had reported disclosures or receipts during this period: the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the CBSA, Global Affairs Canada, and IRCC. In addition to examining the disclosures under SCISA, a review was conducted of institutional policies, practices and internal controls supporting those disclosures. Information-sharing agreements were also reviewed, as well as the extent to which institutions were generally engaged in the evaluation and mitigation of privacy risks related to the exchange of information under SCISA. The report contains five recommendations directed toward IRCC; the Department has fully implemented three of them. IRCC has put in place a process for maintaining records of its information-sharing activities under SCISA and continues to make improvements to standardize the record-keeping process. The Department has updated its Information Sharing Policy to include clear instructions to guide staff on the disclosure of personal information and the recording of actions taken under SCISA. As recommended, IRCC also completed an evaluation of its Privacy Impact Assessment needs associated with disclosing or receiving personal information under SCISA. Actions to address the remaining two recommendations are on target to be completed in 2018–19.
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