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.
