Immigration Policy: Introduction

Immigration — Clarifying

Immigration — Bibliographies

Immigration — Finding & Evaluating

Immigration — Primary Sources

Immigration policy has been used by the Canadian government as a tool to shape this country. From Acts and regulations, Minister's permits and Orders in Council, to less documented government decisions and the discretions given representatives in the field, Canada's immigration policy has been used to encourage and to restrict entry of specific groups of people, to fill labour shortages, to respond to political and economic pressures and security concerns, and to meet international humanitarian commitments.

Although primarily a federal responsibility, the provinces and territories have some jurisdiction as well and have slowly become more involved in setting immigration policy in the last half of the twentieth century.

The related issues of refugee policy, citizenship and multiculturalism are also covered here.

NOTE: The general sources for contemporary Canadian Government and Politics covered in the main portion of this guide should also be used for this topic. The following more specialized sources will provide additional information. (Where no link is given, please refer to the main section of this guide.)