Whereas Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC, as of April 1, 2025, has reduced or discontinued funding to organizations providing immigrant and refugee settlement programs in communities across British Columbia in response to reductions in federal immigration levels planned over the next three years; And whereas the reduction and discontinuation of federal funding for settlement programs immediately reduces the availability of and access to services and supports that are vital to the social and economic integration of approximately 200,000 recent immigrants currently living in British Columbia 2021 Census: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province advocate to the federal government to immediately reinstate Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada funding for settlement programs to BC organizations that were funded in 2024 for a multi-year period; And be it further resolved that the Province be requested to advocate to the Government of Canada to conduct an engagement process with provincial and local governments, community-based service providers of settlement programs, and recent immigrants to inform the development of a long-term, stable funding model that ensures continued provision of supports that help newcomers to thrive in Canada, regardless of fluctuations in immigration targets.
Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills The Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills shares local governments concern that the recent changes to settlement program funding by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC will have a detrimental impact on newcomer access to supports essential to their labour market participation and social integration in British Columbia. This includes IRCCs decision to discontinue higher-level language programming, and the resulting long-term implications for newcomers to secure high-skilled jobs and maintain strong labour market participation. Through various intergovernmental channels, the Ministry continues to articulate these concerns to IRCC and is actively engaged in raising awareness of the impacts of these funding changes with the federal government as well as advocating for solutions that ensure the best outcomes for newcomers and the Province. This includes urging the federal government to ensure that a wide variety of perspectives, such as community organizations and other levels of government, are engaged. The Ministry remains committed to ensure newcomers in British Columbia have equitable access to the supports they need to contribute to British Columbias workforce and thrive.