Canada signs UN agreement on international migration

Canada, along with around 160 other member nations, has signed the United Nations’ new negotiated agreement on international migration. The non-binding United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration aims to optimize the “positive impacts” of migration. The agreement has set out 23 objectives for improving international cooperation on all forms of migration ranging from skilled migration to refugees. These objectives, even while stressing the need for addressing the “adverse drivers and structural factors”  that compel migrants to leave their country of origin, calls for increasing the availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration and facilitating mutual recognition of skills, qualifications, and competencies.

Canada’s view on international migration agreement

The new agreement defines migration as a source of prosperity, innovation and sustainable development in our globalized world. According to the Government of Canada, the pact is the “first multilateral framework for the global response to migration”. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussein has observed that the pact gives useful guidelines for the international community on migration issues.
As per the new Immigration Levels Plan of Canada, the country will be welcoming 1.3 million new permanent residents during the 2018-2021 period. Canada targets to welcome around 330,800 new admissions in 2019 alone.
The agreement of migration gains significance in the context of mounting opposition against migration in many countries, especially in European countries and the US.

23 objectives of the UN pact

1. Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies.
2. Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin.
3. Provide accurate and timely information at all stages of migration.
4. Ensure that all migrants have proof of legal identity and adequate documentation.
5. Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration.
6. Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work.
7. Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration.
8. Save lives and establish coordinated international efforts on missing migrants.
9. Strengthen the transnational response to smuggling of migrants.
10. Prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration.
11. Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner.
12. Strengthen certainty and predictability in migration procedures for appropriate screening, assessment, and referral.
13. Use migration detention only as a measure of last resort and work towards alternatives.
14. Enhance consular protection, assistance, and cooperation throughout the migration cycle.
15. Provide access to basic services for migrants.
16. Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion.
17. Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote evidence-based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration.
18. Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, qualifications, and competencies.
19. Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries.
20. Promote the faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster financial inclusion of migrants.
21. Cooperate in facilitating the safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration.
22. Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits.
23. Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly and regular migration.

Canada has lenient policies on migration and the country is keen to admit foreign workers, with the skills and qualifications required by Canadian employers. If you plan to immigrate to Canada, this is the right time to apply. Contact us for more details.