Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T20:56:47.038Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Intergovernmental Relations in Canada's Immigration System: From Bilateralism towards Multilateral Collaboration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2015

Robert Schertzer
Robert Schertzer*
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
*
Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, 100 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G3, Email: robert.schertzer@utoronto.ca
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article has two objectives. The first is to highlight a turn towards multilateral collaboration in the immigration sector and the resulting focus on pan-Canadian policy objectives and initiatives. This account is set against the current literature, which argues a bilateral approach to intergovernmental relations in the sector has resulted in asymmetrical policies and programs. The second objective is to demonstrate the value of explicitly focusing on the nature of intergovernmental relations as unilateral, bilateral or multilateral. Applying this lens, the article draws out the drivers and complexity of the turn towards multilateral collaboration in the immigration sector, arguing it is motivated by an increased provincial engagement in economic immigration and also by the federal government's desire to reassert its own role in response.

Résumé

Cet article vise deux objectifs. En premier lieu, mettre en lumière l'évolution progressive vers une collaboration multilatérale dans le secteur de l'immigration et, conséquemment, l'importance accordée aux initiatives et aux objectifs en matière de politiques pancanadiennes. Ce compte rendu a recours, comme toile de fond, à la littérature actuelle, selon laquelle une approche bilatérale des relations intergouvernementales dans le secteur aurait entraîné des politiques et des programmes asymétriques. En second lieu, démontrer l'importance de faire ressortir clairement la nature des relations intergouvernementales - unilatérales, bilatérales ou multilatérales. À l'aide de cette perspective, l'article jette un éclairage sur les facteurs de changement et sur la complexité de ce virage vers la collaboration multilatérale dans le secteur de l'immigration en faisant valoir qu'il s'explique par l'implication accrue des gouvernements provinciaux dans l'immigration économique et par le désir du gouvernement fédéral de réaffirmer, en réaction, son propre rôle.

Veuillez prendre note que des corrections ont été apportées au résumé de la version originale en ligne de cet article. L’éditeur présente ses excuses pour ces erreurs.

Type
Immigration and Identity Politics in Canada
Information
Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue canadienne de science politique , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 383 - 412
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Political Science Association (l'Association canadienne de science politique) and/et la Société québécoise de science politique 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alberta. 2005. Supporting Immigrants and Immigration to Alberta: An Overview. Government of Alberta. http://work.alberta.ca/documents/supporting-immigrants-and-immigration-framework.pdf (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Andrew, Caroline and Hima, Rachida. 2011. “Federal Policies on Immigrant Settlement.” In Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities, ed. Tolley, Erin and Young, Robert. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar
Baglay, Sasha. 2012. “Provincial Nominee Programs: A note on policy implications and future research needs.” Journal of International Migration and Integration 13 (1): 121–41.Google Scholar
Bakvis, Herman and Skogstad, Grace. 2012. “Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness and Legitimacy.” In Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness and Legitimacy, ed. Bakvis, Herman and Skogstad, Grace. Don Mills ON: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Banting, Keith. 2012. “Remaking Immigration: Asymmetric Decentralization and Canadian Federalism.” In Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness and Legitimacy, ed. Bakvis, Herman and Skogstad, Grace. Don Mills ON: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Biles, John. 2008. “Integration Politics in English-Speaking Canada.” In Immigration and Integration in Canada in the Twenty-First Century, ed. Biles, John, Burstein, Meyer and Frideres, James. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar
Biles, John, Burstein, Meyer and Frideres, James, eds. 2011. Integration and Inclusion of Newcomers and Minorities across Canada. Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar
Blum, Gabriella. 2008. “Bilateralism, Multilateralism and the Architecture of International Law.” Harvard International Law Journal 49 (2): 323–79.Google Scholar
British Columbia. 2012. British Columbia Immigration Task Force. Victoria: Minister of State for Multiculturalism. http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/immigration_task_force/ (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Boushey, Graeme and Luedtke, Adam. 2006. “Fiscal Federalism and the Politics of Immigration: Centralized and decentralized immigration policies in Canada and the United States.” Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice 8 (3): 207–24.Google Scholar
Cameron, David and Simeon, Richard. 2000. “Intergovernmental Relations and Democratic Citizenship.” Governance in the Twenty-First Century: Revitalizing the Public Service, ed. Peters, Guy and Savoie, Donald. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar
Cameron, David and Simeon, Richard. 2002. “Intergovernmental Relations in Canada: The Emergence of Collaborative Federalism.” Publius 32 (2): 49–71.Google Scholar
CBC. 2012. “Manitoba Angry About Federal Immigration Changes” CBC Online, April 12. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-angry-about-federal-immigration-changes-1.1174711 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2011. Evaluation of the Provincial Nominee Program. Ottawa. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/evaluation/pnp/index.asp (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2012a. Facts and Figure 2012: Immigration Overview—Permanent and Temporary Residents. Ottawa. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2012/ (July 22, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2012b. “Speaking Notes for The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to address to the Empire Club.” Speech, May 25, 2012. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?crtr.sj1D=&crtr.mnthndVl=12&mthd=advSrch&crtr.dpt1D=6664&nid=677029&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.tp1D=970&crtr.yrStrtVl=2008&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=26&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=2&crtr.page=2&crtr.yrndVl=2014&crtr.dyndVl=31 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2012c. “Building a Fast and Flexible Economic Immigration System.” News release, April 17, 2012. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=4&crtr.mnthStrtVl=1&crtr.page=1&nid=669419&crtr.yrndVl=2014&crtr.kw=Immigration+Vision&crtr.yrStrtVl=2002&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.dyndVl=29 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2012d. “Government of Canada to Strengthen Responsibility for Integration of Newcomers—Integration Services Are About Nation Building, says Kenney.” News release, April 12, 2012. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?crtr.sj1D=&crtr.mnthndVl=4&mthd=advSrch&crtr.dpt1D=6664&nid=668079&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.tp1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2012&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=30&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=3&crtr.page=2&crtr.yrndVl=2012&crtr.dyndVl=30 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2012e. “Minister Kenney Strengthens economic value of provincial immigration programs.” News release, April 11, 2012. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?crtr.sj1D=&crtr.mnthndVl=4&mthd=advSrch&crtr.dpt1D=6664&nid=667759&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.tp1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2012&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=30&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=3&crtr.page=2&crtr.yrndVl=2012&crtr.dyndVl=30 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2014. “Offering ‘Express Entry’ to Qualified Economic Immigrants.” New release, April 8, 2014. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=836509 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
CIC. 2013. Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration. Ottawa. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/annual-report-2013/index.asp (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Council of the Federation. 2011. “Premiers Release Strategy on the Global Economy; Plan Trade Mission to Asia.” News release, May 20, 2014. http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/en/latest-news/16-2011/157-premiers-release-strategy-on-the-global-economy-plan-trade-mission-to-asia?showall=&limitstart (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Council of the Federation. 2012. “Premiers Steer Canada's Economic Future” News release, July 27. http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/en/latest-news/15-2012/136-premiers-steer-canada-s-economic-future?showall=&limitstart (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Council of the Federation. 2013. “Jobs and the Economy Key Priorities for Canada's Premiers.” News release, July 25. http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/en/latest-news/13-2013/330-jobs-and-the-economy-key-priorities-for-canada-s-premiers?showall=&limitstart (May 20 2014).Google Scholar
Diebold, William. 1988. “The History and the Issues.” In Bilateralism, Multilateralism and Canada in US Trade Policy, ed. Diebold, William. Cambridge: Ballinger.Google Scholar
Finnemore, Martha. 1996. “Norms, culture, and world politics: Insights from sociology's institutionalism” International Organization 50 (2): 325–47Google Scholar
Fioretos, Orfeo. 2011. “Historical Institutionalism in International Relations.” International Organization 65 (2): 367–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Friendly, Martha and White, Linda. 2008. “From Multilateralism to Bilateralism to Unilateralism in Three Short Years: Child Care in Canadian Federalism.” In Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness and Legitimacy, ed. Bakvis, Herman and Skogstad, Grace. Don Mills ON: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Keohane, Robert. 1985. “Reciprocity in International Relations.” International Organization 49 (1): 1–27.Google Scholar
Kostov, Chris. 2008. “Canada-Quebec Immigration Agreements (1971–1991) and Their Impact on Federalism.” The American Review of Canadian Studies 38 (1): 91–103.Google Scholar
Labelle, Micheline and Rocher, François. 2009. “Immigration, Integration and Citizenship Policies in Canada and Quebec: Tug of War between Competing Societal Projects.” In Immigration and Self Government in Minority Nations, ed. Zapata-Barrero, Ricard. Brussels: P.E.I. Peter Lang.Google Scholar
Lazar, Harvey. 2006. “The Intergovernmental Dimensions of the Social Union: A sectoral analysis.” Canadian Public Administration 49 (1): 23–45.Google Scholar
Lazar, Harvey. 1998. “The Federal Role in a New Social Union: Ottawa at a Crossroads.” In Canada: The State of the Federation 1997, ed. Lazar, Harvey. Kingston: Institute of Intergovernmental Relations.Google Scholar
Leo, Christopher and August, Martine. 2009. “The Multilevel Governance of Immigration and Settlement: Making Deep Federalism Work.” Canadian Journal of Political Science 42 (2): 491–510.Google Scholar
Leo, Christopher and Enns, Jeremy. 2009. “Multi-Level Governance and Ideological Rigidity: The Failure of Deep Federalism.” Canadian Journal of Political Science 42 (1): 93–116.Google Scholar
Lewis, Nathaniel. 2010. “A Decade Later: Assessing Success and Challenges in Manitoba's Immigrant Nominee Program.” Canadian Public Policy 36 (2): 241–64.Google Scholar
Mas, Susana. 2014. “Skilled Immigrants to be Offered ‘Express Entry’ to Canada in 2015.” CBC Online. April 22, 2014. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/skilled-immigrants-to-be-offered-express-entry-to-canada-in-2015-1.2617961 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
McRoberts, Kenneth. 1985. “Unilateralism, Bilateralism and Multilateralism: Approaches to Canadian Federalism.” in Intergovernmental Relations, ed. Simeon, Richard. Toronto: University of Toronto Press and Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada.Google Scholar
Minaeva, Yulia. 2012. “Canadian Federalism Uncovered: The Assumed, the Forgotten and the Unexamined in Collaborative Federalism.” Doctoral dissertation. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.Google Scholar
New Brunswick. 2013. New Brunswick Population Growth Strategy 2013–2018. Fredericton: Province of New Brunswick. http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/petl-epft/PDF/PopGrowth/NBPG_Strategy_2013-18.pdf (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Nova Scotia. 2011. Welcome Home to Nova Scotia: A strategy for immigration. Halifax: Government of Nova Scotia. http://0-fs01.cito.gov.ns.ca.legcat.gov.ns.ca/deposit/b10627340.pdf (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Paquet, Mireille. 2014. “The Federalization of Immigration and Integration in Canada.” Canadian Journal of Political Science 47 (3): 519–48.Google Scholar
Ontario. 2014. “Strengthening Immigration in Ontario” News release, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. February 19, 2014. http://news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2014/02/strengthening-immigration-in-ontario.html (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Ontario. 2012. A New Direction: Ontario's Immigration Strategy. Toronto: Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/keyinitiatives/imm_str/strategy/strategy.pdf (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Pandey, Manish and Townsend, James. 2011. “Quantifying the Effects of the Provincial Nominee Programs.” Canadian Public Policy 37 (4): 495–512.Google Scholar
Pandey, Manish and Townsend, James. 2013. “An Evaluation of the Earnings and Settlement Rates of Nominees.” Canadian Public Policy 39 (4): 603–18.Google Scholar
Poirier, Johanne. 2004. “Intergovernmental Agreements in Canada: At the crossroads between law and politics.” In Canada: The State of the Federation 2002: Reconsidering the Institutions of Canadian Federalism, ed. Meekison, Peter, Telford, Hamish and Lazar, Harvey. Kingston: Institute of Intergovernmental Relations.Google Scholar
Ruggie, John. 1993. “Multilateralism: The Anatomy of an Institution.” In Multilateralism Matters: The Theory and Praxis of an Institutional Form, ed. Ruggie, John. New York: Columbia University Press.Google Scholar
Saskatchewan. 2009. Saskatchewan's Immigration Strategy: Strengthening our communities and economy. Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour. http://ae.gov.sk.ca/sk-immigration-strategy-brochure (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
SCICS. 2002. “Ministers Agree to Work Together to Share the Benefits of Immigration.” Joint FPT news release, October 16. http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=viewdocument&id=1224 (May 20 2014).Google Scholar
SCICS. 2004. “An Immigration Framework for Canada.” Joint FPT news release, November 15. http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=viewdocument&id=932 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
SCICS. 2005. “Ministers Agree on Strategic Direction on Immigration.” Joint FPT news release, November 4. http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=viewdocument&id=874 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
SCICS. 2012. “Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments Envision Canada's Future Immigration System.” Joint FPT news release and backgrounder, November 16. http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=view&id=2846&y=&m (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
SCICS (Secrétariat des conférences intergouvernementales canadiennes | Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat). 2014. “Attracting Skilled Newcomers to Canada: Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments Working Together to Meet Canada's Labour Needs through Active Immigrant Recruitment.” Joint FPT news release, March 18. http://www.scics.gc.ca/english/conferences.asp?a=viewdocument&id=2146 (May 20, 2014).Google Scholar
Seidle, Leslie. 2013. “Canada's Provincial Nominee Immigration Programs: Securing Greater Policy Alignment.” IRPP, study 43. Ottawa: Institute for Research on Public Policy.Google Scholar
Seidle, Leslie. 2010. “Intergovernmental Immigration Agreements and Public Accountability.” Policy Options July-August: 49–53.Google Scholar
Simeon, Richard. [1973] 2006. Federal-Provincial Diplomacy: The making of recent policy in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.Google Scholar
Simeon, Richard and Robinson, Ian. 2004. “The Dynamics of Canadian Federalism.” In Canadian Politics, ed. Bickerton, James and Gagnon, Alain. Peterborough: Broadview Press.Google Scholar
Simmons, Julie and Graefe, Peter. 2013. “Assessing the Collaboration That Was ‘Collaborative Federalism’ 1996–2006.” Canadian Political Science Review 7 (1): 25–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, Alexander and Verdier, Daniel. 2014. “Multilateralism, Bilateralism and Regime Design.” International Studies Quarterly 58 (1): 15–28.Google Scholar
Vineberg, Robert. 1987. “Federal-Provincial Relations in Canadian Immigration” Canadian Public Administration 30 (2): 299–317.Google Scholar
Vineberg, Robert. 2011. “History of Federal-Provincial Relations in Canadian Immigration and Integration.” In Integration and Inclusion of Newcomers and Minorities across Canada, ed. Biles, John, Burstein, Meyer and Frideres, James. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar
Wood, Donna and Klassen, Thomas. 2009. “Bilateral Federalism and Workforce Development Policy in Canada.” Canadian Public Administration 52 (2): 249–70.Google Scholar
Young, Robert and Tolley, Erin. 2011, ed. Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.Google Scholar