Performance Reporting

Core Business Area: Aboriginal, Multiculturalism and Immigration

Goal: The social and economic benefits of immigration and multiculturalism are maximized

The provincial government recognizes the significant social and economic benefits associated with immigration. It provides the largest source of population and labour force growth, playing a lead role in meeting skill requirements, attracting investment and stimulating economic growth. Immigration also brings many social benefits, contributing to a society where diversity, cultural harmony and full participation are valued.

In 2001, visible minorities accounted for 21 per cent of BC's population and more than one-quarter of BC residents were born outside Canada. The foreign-born population grew by 11.8 per cent between 1996 and 2001, compared to overall population growth in BC of 4.9 per cent.

Currently, about 15 per cent of all immigrants to Canada settle in British Columbia. Many arrive with little knowledge of how systems work. About half do not speak English and many experience difficulty getting their foreign credentials recognized by provincial regulatory bodies and licensing authorities.

Supporting new immigrants to overcome these challenges, fighting racism and promoting multiculturalism contribute to the ministry's mission and vision to strengthen British Columbia communities.

Objectives and Strategies

Objective 1: Increased and expedited immigration with emphasis on skilled immigrants helps meet skill shortages.

Key Strategies Undertaken:

• The ministry managed the International Qualifications Program, which provides leadership and support to regulatory bodies, professional and trade associations, employers, unions, post-secondary institutions, and community service agencies through three core service activities: capacity building, information services and networking.
• The ministry managed the Provincial Nominee Program to support the recruitment and retention of foreign workers with highly specialized skills to meet critical skill shortages faced by BC employers.
• A one-year extension of the Canada/BC Agreement for Cooperation on Immigration was negotiated. A new agreement was signed on April 5, 2004.

Explanation of Variance:

Increased interest in the PNP through marketing efforts resulted in more new employers using PNP to address critical skill shortages than anticipated.

97 per cent of the strategic occupations target of 250 nominees was achieved and the international student category was expanded.

There has been no increase in applications from employers in the regions in the past two years.

Staff exceeded client service expectations, based on independent evaluation.

The ministry works with the federal government through the Canada/BC Agreement for Cooperation on Immigration to facilitate the immigration of newcomers to BC. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a critical piece in the plan to resolve the growing need for skilled workers in BC. The Province works through this program to fulfill its labour market needs and support the settlement of new immigrants to BC communities.

In 2002/03, the ministry targeted 200 skill-shortage sector jobs to be filled by PNP applicants and reached 91 per cent of its target. In 2003/04, the ministry reached 97 per cent of its target. Nominations made through the program expedite the immigration of skilled workers in a wide variety of sectors, including: aerospace, biotechnology, education, health care, high technology and transportation. In March 2004, the international student category was expanded to allow foreign graduates of BC universities in high demand fields to apply for permanent residence once they have successfully obtained permanent job offers in their field from a BC employer.

Through the International Qualifications Program, the ministry leveraged an additional $703,948 from non-ministry sources to support projects to address barriers to labour market attachment for skilled immigrants to BC. With funding from the program, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC completed policy and procedures that led to the development of a new provisional membership category and reduced first year membership fees for foreign-trained engineers in BC.

Communities are recognizing that immigrants are an important source of employment and business skills and investment dollars, and can play an important role in bringing a community's economic development plan to fruition. The trend over the last 10 years, however, has seen the majority of immigrants settling in the Greater Vancouver area. Only 10 per cent of newcomers are choosing to settle in communities outside Vancouver. The ministry is working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to develop a strategy that will help smaller communities attract and retain immigrants.

Objective 2: Accelerated settlement of immigrants allows them to realize their full potential and contribute to the economy.

Key Strategies Undertaken:

• English language training and settlement services were made available to immigrants through third-party service providers.

Explanation of Variance:

Full utilization of vacant seats for English language classes led to higher client numbers.

In 2003/04, third-party service providers delivered settlement and adaptation services for new immigrants, including basic adult English language training. It is estimated that 40,000 new immigrants received services through the BC Settlement and Adaptation Program; approximately 30,000 clients received initial orientation information and adjustment support services; approximately 2,000 adults and youth were matched with host volunteers to assist them in understanding their new communities; and more than 14,000 adults participated in settlement-focused English language classes.

In March 2004, new curriculum was developed and a pilot project was launched in eight locations across the province offering enhanced English Language Services for Adults with a labour market focus. One hundred and forty-four adult newcomers were recruited for the pilot project, which is scheduled to run until March 2005. Interim evaluations of the pilot project are scheduled to be completed in June and November 2004, and a final evaluation will be conducted in March 2005.

Enabling and expediting immigrant settlement helps to ensure that the social and economic benefits of immigration are maximized.

Objective 3: Stronger communities through action on racism and greater awareness of multiculturalism.

Key Strategies Undertaken:

• Anti-racism and multiculturalism initiatives were funded to reduce and prevent incidents of racism and hate.

Explanation of Variance:

Because of cost savings on individual projects, additional projects were undertaken.

Under the BC Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism Program (BCAMP), a total of 31 projects were funded in 2003/04 to help prevent and eliminate racism by enhancing community understanding of multiculturalism and cultural diversity. Projects included the implementation of cross-cultural and anti-racism leadership training for youth in Abbotsford, North Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Prince George, Duncan and Campbell River; the coordination of city-wide campaigns against racism in Kamloops and Grand Forks; the organization of anti-racism conferences and forums in Kelowna, Mission, Vancouver and Victoria; and the development of multiculturalism and anti-racism educational workshops, handbooks and internet resources for communities across the province.

The ministry engaged with 16 communities to develop anti-racism protocols under the Critical Incident Response Model (CIRM). CIRM is a three-year, three-step process for communities to build capacity and to develop formal community protocols to effectively respond to racism and hate activity. During the year, four communities entered the model at Step 1 (Burns Lake, Fernie, Port Alberni and Vernon); four advanced to Step 2 (Fort St. John, Masset, Port Hardy and Merritt); and eight communities successfully completed Step 3 by putting response protocols in place (Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Abbotsford, Quesnel, Campbell River, Cranbrook, Terrace, and Kamloops). The protocols were successfully used in Cranbrook and Nanaimo where citizens reported recent incidents of racism and hate activity in accordance with their protocols.

An 18-member Multicultural Advisory Council was appointed to advise the Minister on issues related to multiculturalism and anti-racism and to facilitate community action across the province. In January 2004, the ministry organized the council's first meeting.