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2023 Settlement Outcomes Report: Part 1 - Newcomer Outcomes Stock Take

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This part of the report covers the peak COVID-19 pandemic fiscal years of 2020-21 and 2021-22, and presents early signals of the impact of COVID on IRCC’s Settlement Program and the settlement outcomes of its clients. This part also provides a series of infographics with additional insights on service use and the outcome achievement of newcomers, as well as spotlights on additional services available to specific newcomer populations.

Impact of COVID on permanent resident admissions and client volumes

Border closures and other restrictions reduced the number of new permanent residents arriving in Canada. Although the number of new permanent residents admitted in 2020 was 46% lower than in 2019, the number of clients served by the Settlement Program only decreased by 27%. To make sense of this finding, it is important to note that newcomers are eligible to access settlement services over an extended period of time - generally speaking, from the time they are accepted to become permanent residents until they become citizens.

There were fewer permanent resident admissions in 2020; however, the decrease in the rate of settlement services was less pronounced, as the existing permanent resident population continued to access services.

as described below

Figures shown are rounded to the nearest hundred.
Source: IRCC Permanent Resident Database, iCARE

Text version

Chart showing PR admissions and settlement client volumes

This bar chart shows the number of permanent residents admitted by calendar year, as well as the number of settlement service clients served in each of these years.

In 2019, there were 341,200 admissions, compared to 540,100 clients.

In 2020, there were 184,600 admissions, compared to 396,400 clients.

In 2021, there were 406,000 admissions, compared to 397,000 clients.

In 2022, there were 536,400 admissions, compared to 536,400 clients.

Note that figures shown are rounded to the nearest hundred.

In response to prolonged pandemic-related challenges in admitting new permanent residents from overseas, in 2021, IRCC pivoted to focus on processing applications for permanent residence from temporary residents already in Canada. As part of these efforts, a time-limited temporary resident to permanent resident pathway was established, targeting recent international graduates and essential workers in areas such as healthcare. Through this pathway, approximately 24,000 new permanent residents were admitted in 2021 and 39,000 in 2022. Overall, in 2021, 60% of new permanent residents were previously temporary residents, almost double the normal ratesEndnote 1. Because they had spent time in Canada prior to becoming permanent residents, these newcomers may have been less likely to access settlement services, which is a factor that could explain why client numbers in 2021 did not climb at the same rate as admissions.

Characteristics of recently landed newcomers

Economic Class immigrants comprised the majority of admissions to Canada in 2020-21 and 2021-22 (61%), a higher proportion than prior to the pandemic.

as described below

Figures shown are rounded to the nearest hundred.
Source: IRCC Permanent Resident Database

Text version

Chart showing immigration category breakdown of PR admissions

This bar chart shows the number and percentage of permanent residents admitted in 2020/21 and 2021/2022 from each immigration category.

Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 248,000 admissions, or 39% of the total.

Economic Class Spouses and Dependants represented 140,000 admissions, or 22% of the total.

The Family Class represented 137,000 admissions, or 21% of the total.

Resettled Refugees represented 33,000 admissions, or 5% of the total.

Protected Persons represented 61,000 admissions, or 10% of the total.

Newcomers admitted through other immigration categories represented 17,000 admissions, or 3% of the total.

Note that figures shown are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Compared to pre-pandemic permanent resident admissionsEndnote 2, there was a shift in the mix of types of immigrants admitted. For example, the proportion of Economic Class Principal Applicants went from 27% pre-pandemic to 39% post-pandemic, and the proportion of Protected Persons increased by 5%. These differences are in part a result of the focus on applicants already living in Canada who could transition from temporary to permanent residence through the Economic Class, as well as pilots providing a pathway to permanent residence for asylum claimants.

Analysis of the intended province/territory of destination of new permanent residents showed that, compared to pre-pandemic admissions, there was an increase in the proportion of newcomers destined to Ontario and British Columbia, and a decrease in the percentage destined to Alberta and Quebec. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia remained the main provinces of intended destination.

Canada began resettling refugees from Afghanistan through special immigration programs in August of 2021. While these new arrivals are included in the admissions and client data presented in the report, it was too early to draw specific outcomes conclusions about this population. Work is underway to monitor the outcomes of the Afghan movement.

The Settlement Program and its clients

Overview of IRCC’s Settlement Program

IRCC funds settlement Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) outside of QuebecEndnote 3 through grants and contribution agreements to deliver the Settlement Program. The Program’s services are designed to help newcomers on their settlement and integration journey so they can more fully contribute to Canadian society. In addition to in-Canada services, IRCC funds settlement services for some newcomers outside of Canada (see Pre-Arrival services spotlight at the end of this part of the report). Furthermore, additional services are provided specifically to Government-Assisted Refugees to help them with their immediate needs – details can be found in the Resettlement Assistance Program spotlight.

To be eligible for IRCC-funded services under the Settlement Program during the period of study (fiscal years of 2020-21 and 2021-22), newcomers had to be one of the following:

  1. Permanent resident of Canada;
  2. Protected person with accepted asylum claim;
  3. Refugee selected for resettlement;  
  4. Newcomer approved to become a permanent resident;
  5. Temporary resident, foreign national, or dependent selected under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)Endnote 4; or
  6. Temporary resident or dependent selected under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)Endnote 5.

Eligible newcomers have access to various services through the Settlement Program, including:

Settlement Program funding

Settlement Program funding has remained relatively stable with increases year over year in line with increasing immigration levels. The envelope was approximately $800.9M in 2020-21 and $848.2M in 2021-22 for settlement services outside of Quebec.

In 2020-21 and 2021-22, and in line with previous years, language assessment and training services was the largest spending category, representing 30% of expenditures.

as described below

Source: GCS as per agreement allocation by Program Components & SAP as of March 31st, 2022. Note that this information includes costs for domestic service delivery, pre-arrival services, and indirect services.

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Chart showing breakdown of settlement program funding by component

This tree map chart shows the amount and proportion of funding for each settlement service component, for fiscal years 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Language Training received $469 million, or 28% of the total.

Information and Orientation received $313 million, or 19% of the total.

Indirect Services received $186 million, or 11%.

Needs and Assets Assessments and Referrals received $177 million, or 11% of the total.

Support Services received $142 million, or 9% of the total.

Employment-related Services received $142 million, or 9% of the total.

Language Assessment received $31 million, or 2% of the total.

Note that totals may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Impacts of COVID-19 on settlement service availability

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to minimize in-person contact to avoid spread of the virus. This created challenges in supporting clients’ access to settlement services. On March 16th, 2020, IRCC provided guidance to SPOs regarding measures to safeguard the well-being, safety, and security of clients and staff by focusing on critical services, and providing services remotely when possible. To support this shift to remote service delivery and provide flexibility in Settlement Program delivery, IRCC made changes to eligible expenditures to enable SPOs to purchase cell phones, laptops, and tablets - both for employees and to loan to clients. Through these mechanisms, IRCC sought to ensure that clients could continue to access settlement services without contravening health guidelines. In turn, SPOs were able to convert to the remote delivery of many services in a matter of weeks.

Later in the pandemic, IRCC instructed SPOs to align their re-openings with local public health advice, and to maintain remote delivery where practical. The fact that nearly 400,000 clients were served in each of 2020 and 2021 (compared to 490,000 clients in 2018 and 540,000 clients in 2019) shows that SPOs continued to provide clients access to services when possibleEndnote 6.

Use of the Settlement Program during COVID

By combining data on when newcomers are admitted to Canada and when they received settlement services, it is possible to analyze Settlement Program uptake rates by immigration category, type of service, and demographics to gain insight into which clients accessed services at which point on their settlement journey. Results show:

In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the proportion of newcomers receiving services in their year of becoming a permanent resident was 19%, a decrease from 38% pre-pandemicEndnote 8. This is likely related to the reduced availability of settlement services during lockdowns, combined with a lower need for services among recent arrivals, particularly among members of the Economic Class who were more likely to have transitioned from temporary to permanent residence and thus would already have several years’ experience living in Canada.

Area of future study

Further analysis of uptake rates will increase understandings of gaps in service access by newcomers who need support, and how to best address barriers faced by this population.

Similar to prior to the pandemic, GARs had the highest uptake rate for domestic settlement services in 2020-21 & 2021-22.

as described below

Source: IRCC Permanent Resident Database, iCARE

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Chart showing uptake rates by immigration category

This line chart shows the percentage of newcomers from different immigration categories who accessed settlement services, by the number of years since admission.

Overall, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 19%, followed by 20% in the first year after admission, 17% in the second, 15% in the third, and 14% in the fourth.

For GARs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 82%, followed by 95% in the first year after admission, 83% in the second, 76% in the third, and 68% in the fourth.

For PSRs and BSRs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 64%, followed by 65% in the first year after admission, 54% in the second, 54% in the third, and 47% in the fourth.

For PPs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 39%, followed by 33% in the first year after admission, 34% in the second, 30% in the third, and 24% in the fourth.

For FCs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 20%, followed by 16% in the first year after admission, 12% in the second, 11% in the third, and 11% in the fourth.

For EC PAs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 7%, followed by 12% in the first year after admission, 9% in the second, 7% in the third, and 7% in the fourth.

For EC SDs, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 18%, followed by 18% in the first year since admission, 14% in the second, 12% in the third, and 10% in the fourth.

A more detailed analysis of uptake rates by service type show which services are accessed by the highest proportion of newcomers over time.

Compared to pre-pandemic, the percentage of newcomers who accessed a NAARs in their first year after admission decreased, from approximately 25% to approximately 11%, which is likely the result of more Economic Class newcomers, who have lower rates of accessing all settlement services. I&O remains the service most commonly accessed by clients, including later in their settlement journeys – 11% of newcomers received an I&O service four years after landing, including 62% of all GARs and 39% of all PSRs/BVORs.

Services with the highest uptake rates were those intended to connect clients with the resources they need, whether this be in the form of information or referrals to other services.

as described below

Source: IRCC Permanent Resident Database, iCARE

Text version

Chart showing uptake rates by settlement service component

This line chart shows the percentage of newcomers from different immigration categories who accessed settlement services, by service component.

Overall, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 19%, followed by 20% in the first year after admission, 17% in the second, 15% in the third, and 14% in the fourth.

For I&O, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 16%, followed by 16% in the first year after admission, 13% in the second, 12% in the third, and 11% in the fourth.

For NAARS, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 11%, followed by 10% in the first year after admission, 7% in the second, 7% in the third, and 6% in the fourth.

For LA, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 5%, followed by 3% in the first year after admission, 2% in the second, 1% in the third, and 1% in the fourth.

For LT, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 3%, followed by 5% in the first year after admission, 5% in the second, 4% in the third, and 3% in the fourth.

For CC, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 3%, followed by 4% in the first year after admission, 3% in the second, 3% in the third, and 3% in the fourth.

For ERS, the uptake rate in the year of admission was 3%, followed by 4% in the first year after admission, 2% in the second, 1% in the third, and 1% in the fourth.

Analysis by age group shows that those aged 17 and under at time of admission, and those aged 35-64, had higher uptake rates than those aged 18-34 or 65 and over. Usage of I&O services was a key driver of uptake rates within these age groups. Many clients aged 17 and under have access to services through the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) initiative.

Client demographics

Newcomers to Canada remain eligible for settlement services until they choose to become naturalized citizens. This means that while the Settlement Program’s eligible client base is impacted by sudden increases or decreases in admissions, it also continues to feel the cumulative impact of these events for a longer period of time.

25% of clients receiving services in 2020-21 and 2021-22 had been in Canada for 6+ years.

as described below

Source: iCARE

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Chart showing client breakdown by number of years since admission

This bar chart shows the percentage of clients served in 2020/21 and 2021/22 who had been in Canada for different lengths of time.

Clients accessing services in their year of admission represented 15.2% of the total.

Clients accessing services in the first year since admission represented 13.7% of the total.

Clients accessing services in the second or third year since admission represented 25.8% of the total.

Clients accessing services in the fourth or fifth year since admission represented 20.2% of the total.

Clients accessing services in the sixth to tenth year since admission represented 17.2% of the total.

Clients accessing services beyond their tenth year since admission represented 7.8% of the total.

Compared to historical data, lower admission volumes during the pandemic reduced the percentage of clients accessing services in their admission year or the first year thereafter. Because of the cumulative nature of the Settlement Program’s client base, even during the pandemic the Program was able to provide services to more than half a million newcomers.

573K unique clients accessed one or more types of service in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

as described below

Source: iCARE
Note: Because clients can access multiple services, the total number of unique clients across service types is lower than the sum of the number of clients of each service type.

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Chart showing client demographics by settlement service component

This chart shows the demographics of clients of each settlement service component in terms of their gender, the immigration category under which they were admitted, their age group, and the official language or languages they spoke at time of admission.

Among the overall client base there were 573,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 56% identified as female and 43% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 16%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 22%, the Family Class represented 22%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 1%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 12%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 10%, Protected Persons represented 13%, and members of other immigration categories represented 5%. In terms of age group, 20% were 17 or under, 31% were 18 to 34, 46% were 35 to 64, and 5% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 62% spoke English, 3% spoke French, and 35% spoke neither official language.

Among the NAARS client base there were 315,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 56% identified as female and 44% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 16%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 20%, the Family Class represented 21%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 1%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 12%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 10%, Protected Persons represented 14%, and members of other immigration categories represented 6%. In terms of age group, 19% were 17 or under, 30% were 18 to 34, 47% were 35 to 64, and 5% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 61% spoke English, 4% spoke French, and 35% spoke neither official language.

Among the I&O client base there were 573,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 56% identified as female and 44% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 15%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 21%, the Family Class represented 21%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 1%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 13%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 10%, Protected Persons represented 13%, and members of other immigration categories represented 6%. In terms of age group, 21% were 17 or under, 30% were 18 to 34, 46% were 35 to 64, and 5% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 60% spoke English, 3% spoke French, and 36% spoke neither official language.

Among the ERS client base there were 65,200 unique clients. In terms of gender, 59% identified as female and 41% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 28%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 22%, the Family Class represented 17%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 1%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 10%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 10%, Protected Persons represented 10%, and members of other immigration categories represented 2%. In terms of age group, 3% were 17 or under, 44% were 18 to 34, 53% were 35 to 64, and 1% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 75% spoke English, 6% spoke French, and 19% spoke neither official language.

Among the LA & LT client base there were 146,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 66% identified as female and 34% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 13%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 17%, the Family Class represented 30%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 1%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 13%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 13%, Protected Persons represented 10%, and members of other immigration categories represented 2%. In terms of age group, 0% were 17 or under, 40% were 18 to 34, 57% were 35 to 64, and 4% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 60% spoke English, 4% spoke French, and 37% spoke neither official language.

Among the CC client base there were 102,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 61% identified as female and 39% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 13%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 2225 the Family Class represented 16%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 2%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 22%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 9%, Protected Persons represented 10%, and members of other immigration categories represented 4%. In terms of age group, 33% were 17 or under, 25% were 18 to 34, 39% were 35 to 64, and 4% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 51% spoke English, 5% spoke French, and 43% spoke neither official language.

Among the Support Services client base there were 126,000 unique clients. In terms of gender, 59% identified as female and 41% as male. In terms of immigration category, Economic Class Principal Applicants represented 9%, Economic Class Spouses and Dependents represented 14%, the Family Class represented 18%, Blended Sponsorship Refugees represented 2%, Government-Assisted Refugees represented 29%, Privately Sponsored Refugees represented 14%, Protected Persons represented 11%, and members of other immigration categories represented 3%. In terms of age group, 22% were 17 or under, 29% were 18 to 34, 45% were 35 to 64, and 5% were 65 or older. In terms of official languages, 44% spoke English, 4% spoke French, and 52% spoke neither official language.

Key demographic highlights of Settlement Program clients during these years include:

While many results are similar to pre-pandemic findings, there are some key differences worth noting:

Clients who accessed services in 2020-21 and 2021-22 received an average of ten services each, which is similar to pre-pandemic findings. The number of services received by resettled refugees was much higher: 12 for PSRs and 26 for GARs. Although resettled refugees used more of each type of service other immigration categories, they were particularly heavy users of I&O servicesEndnote 10. These results are similar to those observed prior to the pandemic, suggesting that there has been relatively little change in the service needs of clients.

Types of services used

In addition to its impacts on the Settlement Program’s client base, the pandemic also affected the kinds of services that clients accessed, and how they did so. IRCC adjusted the type of data it collects about settlement service delivery in order to better reflect the realities of the pandemic. The Service Usage infographic at the end of this part of the report provides more detailed insights on changes to how the Settlement Program was accessed during the pandemic. Key insights include:

Client settlement outcomes

The expected settlement and integration outcomes for all newcomers to Canada are that they are able to acquire the knowledge and skills they need, and are then able to apply them to their life in Canada. The Settlement Program and its services are intended to provide newcomers who need extra support with obtaining information and practicing skills. The short and medium term outcomes can be grouped into five themes with services tailored to address each theme:

  1. Newcomers are able to access services that meet their needs
  2. Newcomers gain knowledge and are able to make decisions about life in Canada
  3. Newcomers improve official language skills and use them in Canadian society
  4. Newcomers acquire knowledge, skills, and connections to prepare for and participate in the Canadian labour market
  5. Newcomers participate in and are connected to communities

The primary data source of Settlement Program outcomes for this report is the Newcomer Outcomes Survey (NOS) 2020 and 2021 survey waves. In order to capture outcomes from various points along the settlement timeline, the analysis represents newcomers who became permanent residents Canada between 2013 and 2020. The survey reaches both clients and non-clients of the Settlement ProgramEndnote 11, meaning IRCC can compare self-reported outcomes of the two populations.

Starting in 2020, respondents to the NOS were given the opportunity to describe their racial or ethnic background. Overall, 84% of NOS respondents identified as racialized (any response other than “White”). This included 91% of client respondents and 78% of non-client respondents.

A Gender-Based Analysis Plus approach was taken to the analysis which includes examining results in greater demographic detail, and key significant differences have been included where appropriate. In addition, each of the following pages presents highlights of the following, where applicable:

  • COVID-19 Impacts
  • Francophone outcomes
  • Racialized newcomer outcomes

While many services can contribute to some or even all of the Program’s outcomes, generally speaking, specific Settlement Program services are intended and designed to contribute to a primary outcome. An analysis of client outcomes can be found below and in the accompanying infographics which provide more detailed insights.

Area of future study

In recent years, significant numbers of people from Afghanistan and Ukraine have made new starts in Canada. Future research will focus on the settlement outcomes of these populations.

Newcomers are able to access services that meet their needs

Certain newcomers may experience barriers when trying to access the Settlement Program. In order to address challenges related to a newcomer’s access to services, IRCC funds enabling services. These services include Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services (NAARs) to identify a pathway for settlement, as well as Support Services (which include child care, translation, interpretation, transportation, short-term counselling, and provisions for those with disabilities). Key findings related to this outcome are:

SPOs reported an increase in clients’ needs for digital skills and access to devices during the pandemic, as well as in mental health service needsEndnote 12.

Newcomers gain knowledge and are able to make decisions about life in Canada

Knowledge about life in Canada, and linkages to resources to draw on for further information is fundamental to newcomers’ successful settlement and integration and can help immigrants gain confidence in their ability to make informed decisions. While many (if not all) of the Program’s services aim to increase knowledge, Information and Orientation services are the main information support provided to newcomers. Key findings related to this outcome are:

SPOs helped provide newcomers with information about COVID and vaccines, and helped combat misinformationEndnote 13.

Newcomers improve official language skills and use them in Canadian society

Knowing an official language enhances newcomers’ capacity to obtain information about daily life in Canada, and also increases their chances of obtaining employment. Basic proficiency in English or French is also one of the requirements to obtain Canadian citizenship. IRCC-funded language assessments and training support newcomers in learning one of Canada’s official languages. Key findings related to this outcome are:

Newcomers who spoke neither English nor French had to rely on friends and relatives to provide them with information about COVID.

More non-clients reported being able to communicate without help in French compared to clients.

Respondents identifying as Black, South Asian, and Southeast Asian were more likely to report they were able to speak English in all situations than respondents from other populations.

Newcomers acquire knowledge, skills, and connections to prepare for and participate in the Canadian labour market

Newcomers can contribute to the Canadian economy in many ways - through employment, volunteering, or providing unpaid work like housework or caregiving that enables another person to have paid employment. Newcomers looking to directly participate in the Canadian labour market need to know how to present their existing skills in a way that will resonate with Canadian employers and understand what new skills will be advantageous in the Canadian labour market. IRCC funds Employment-related Services to directly help clients increase their knowledge of employment in Canada. Key findings related to this outcome are:

Newcomers participate in and are connected to communities

Newcomer connection and participation in communities signals that they are moving forward on the path to integration and that their new communities are creating space for these contributions. IRCC services bring together newcomers, long-time Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and settled immigrants with the aim of creating welcoming communities that nurture clients’ sense of belonging, promote social cohesion and community engagement, and provide opportunities for informal language learning. Key findings related to this outcome are:

Spotlight on COVID-19 impacts on newcomer economic outcomes

The outcomes of the settlement program focus on a “whole-of-person” approach to supporting the settlement of newcomers, which includes support for labour market entry for those who choose to work. The importance of immigrants to the Canadian economy cannot be understated and as such, understanding the specific impacts of the pandemic on the newcomer population is important as Canada moves forward from COVID-19.

There are signals that some of the economic impacts of the pandemic are lessening, with the share of very recent immigrants of core working age who were working almost 8 percentage points higher in December 2021 than in December 2019Endnote 20. However, the full recovery from COVID will take time, particularly for immigrant women, and will require ongoing attention.

Conclusion

Evidence shows that the Settlement Program and SPOs that deliver programming were able to successfully adjust to the pandemic and related restrictions. While COVID had significant impacts on new admissions and Settlement Program client volumes, the numbers are rebounding, and are expected to continue to increase, especially taking into account the announced immigration levels plans, as well as recent Afghan and Ukrainian arrivals.

Overall patterns in service usage and the demographic characteristics of clients accessing services remained similar to before the pandemic, indicating that newcomers continued to have timely access to the services required to meet their distinct needs. The evidence also suggests that newcomers to Canada are generally successful in their settlement journeys, and continued to be successful during the pandemic.

There are some gaps in awareness of IRCC-funded settlement services, with an awareness rate of only 68% among all newcomers. More than half of non-clients indicated they chose not to access services as they felt they were not required. Few clients reported barriers to accessing services, and the majority of clients felt that the services they received from SPOs were useful.

The vast majority of both clients and non-clients reported being able to make informed decisions about life in Canada. Newcomers also said that they were able to speak Canada’s official languages in a variety of real-world situations. The majority of newcomers directly participate in the Canadian labour market; many of those not working contributed in other ways, including caring for a child, being a student, or being a homemaker. The vast majority of newcomers reported a strong sense of belonging to Canada, and felt that they were welcomed by their communities, a sign that Canada provides a positive environment in which to settle. For most outcomes, clients reported slightly higher rates of improvement in knowledge and abilities than their non-client counterparts. 

The pandemic had some impact on newcomer outcomes. Some of these impacts were short-term in nature (e.g., challenges in accessing accurate information about the pandemic, COVID-related racial discrimination), while others, such as economic outcomes, will likely be felt over the longer term and will require additional study over time.

One of the most significant effects of the pandemic was that the settlement sector pivoted to providing services remotely. This digital transformation, and findings related to its effectiveness, are the subject of the next part of this Report.

Infographics

Spotlight: Pre-arrival services

Spotlight: Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

Service usage

Newcomers are able to access services that meet their needs

Newcomers gain knowledge and are able to make decisions about life in Canada

Newcomers improve official language skills and use them in Canadian society

Newcomers acquire knowledge, skills, and connections to prepare for and participate in the Canadian labour market

Newcomers participate in and are connected to communities

Data sources

This following contains information about primary data sources used in the report – i.e. data collected directly by IRCC. Many other sources of information were used in the development of this report. Secondary data sources (i.e. data collected or analysis done by other parties) are referenced directly in the report.

IRCC Permanent Resident Database

The IRCC Permanent Resident Database is based on the Global Case Management System (GCMS). GCMS is IRCC’s single, integrated and worldwide system used internally to process applications for citizenship and immigration services.

This report uses GCMS information about newcomers to Canada:

  • who were admitted as permanent residents between 2013 and 2020, or
  • who used settlement services in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The data were extracted between December 2022 and June 2023.

iCARE

The Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) is a data entry system that collects key characteristics of services used by clients of the Settlement and Resettlement Programs, including Pre-Arrival. The data is entered by Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) and they are required to report monthly as per their Contribution Agreement with IRCC. iCARE has been used to collect Settlement Program data since 2013 and Resettlement Program data since 2014.

This report uses iCARE information about settlement services used in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The data were extracted between December 2022 and June 2023.

Grants and Contributions System (GCS)

The Grants and Contributions System (GCS) is an online tool that allows Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) to submit applications for funding, as well as manage Grants or Contribution Agreements.

This report uses GCS information about Contribution Agreement funding and reporting for 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The data were extracted March 2023.

SAP

SAP is the Department’s financial management system used to support the preparation of financial statements and other reporting.

This report uses SAP information about settlement program expenditures in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The data were extracted March 2023.

Newcomer Outcomes Survey (NOS)

The Newcomer Outcomes Survey (NOS) is an annual survey of newcomers to Canada that collects settlement outcomes information from both clients and non-clients of IRCC’s Settlement Program. Each year, the survey is sent to all newcomers who became permanent residents in specific years. Two years of survey data are combined to provide a response set from newcomers across eight admission years.

This report uses NOS responses to the 2020 and 2021 survey waves about the settlement experiences of newcomers who became permanent residents between 2013 and 2020.

The data were extracted March 2022.

ARPIO / APRCP

SPOs delivering direct settlement services provide an Annual Report on Project Implementation & Outcomes (ARPIO) and Local Immigration Partnerships/Réseaux d’immigration francophone provide an Annual Project Report on Community Partnerships (APRCP). The reports provide an equitable opportunity to hear from SPOs across the country on similar issues. Note that the ARPIO was formerly called the APPR – Annual Project Performance Report.

This report uses ARPIO and APRCP reports about Contribution Agreements funded for 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The data were extracted after the end of the reporting cycles.

2020 Remote Service Delivery Survey

IRCC conducted a Remote Service Delivery Survey of Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) in November 2020 to better understand what the delivery of direct settlement services looked like in the COVID-19 context for SPOs receiving IRCC funding.

This report uses survey information about the impact of the transition from in-person to remote service delivery.

The data were extracted January 2021.

2022 Digital Case Study Client Survey

IRCC conducted an online survey of client experiences using online settlement services in August 2022, to better understand which settlement services were working well, and what needed improvement.

This report uses survey information about client experiences using settlement services prior to August 2022.

The data were extracted April 2023.

2022 Digital Case Study Client Focus Groups

IRCC conducted focus groups with clients who had accessed settlement services, to better understand what types of settlement services should be offered online, for which clients, and how to ensure that online services work well for clients.

This report uses focus group information about newcomer client views and experiences regarding online settlement services.

The focus groups were held May 2022.

2022 Digital Case Study Service Provider Focus Groups

IRCC conducted focus groups with staff from Service Provider Organizations (SPOs), to better understand in what contexts Settlement Program services should be offered online, for which clients, and how online services can be offered in a responsive, effective, and efficient way.

This report uses focus group information about views and experiences on the delivery of online settlement services.

The focus groups were held May 2022.

2022 RNIP Newcomer Survey

IRCC conducted an online survey of newcomers’ experiences participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot in October 2022, to better understand how the pilot is working, and what needs improvement.

This report uses survey information about RNIP newcomers’ use of services and supports, experiences of discrimination, sense of belonging, and desire to stay in the RNIP communities where they settled.

The data were extracted February 2023.

2022 RNIP Employer Survey

IRCC conducted an online survey of employers participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot in August 2022, to better understand how the pilot is working for employers, and what needs improvement.

This report uses survey information about the settlement supports provided by RNIP employers to support their candidates.

The data were extracted December 2022.

2022 RNIP Client Focus Groups

IRCC conducted focus groups with newcomers who had responded to the RNIP Newcomer Survey, and expressed a willingness to participate in focus group discussion, to contextualize survey responses and obtain further insights into RNIP newcomers’ experiences using settlement supports.

This report uses focus group information about experiences with volunteer matching, use of settlement services, and experiences within the community.

The focus groups were held February 2023.

2022 IRCC Survey: Newcomers’ experiences of discrimination in their city or town

IRCC conducted an online survey of newcomers in February 2022 to better understand experiences of discrimination in their city or town. The results of the survey will help IRCC inform its services and awareness campaigns going forward, and to meet the needs of newcomers to Canada.

This report uses survey information about experiences of discrimination in newcomers’ city or town, including the type of discrimination experienced.

The data were extracted April 2023.

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