2022 Was a Year of Expansion and Innovation for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC).

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ICC Welcomed Thousands of New Citizens Through Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies

The ICC worked with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to host 61 enhanced citizenship ceremonies, in-person and online, welcoming 4,739 newcomers into our Canadian family.

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Canoo Went to New Heights

Additionally, Canoo, our one-of-a-kind app that gives newcomers free VIP access to +1,400 of Canada’s best cultural and outdoor experiences, saw remarkable growth and has the highest number of activated accounts since launching in 2019.

Canoo makes it possible for newcomers to experience our rich culture and build memories with their families. In 2022, there were more than 61,000 Canoo check-ins by adults and just under 50,000 by children. During this holiday season alone, there were more than 10,000 check-ins to various winter events, activities and venues.

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ICC Research Uncovered Interesting Findings

This year, in collaboration with Andrew Griffith, the ICC also launched the Citizenship and Immigration dashboard, which tracks permanent resident admissions and new citizens using #IRCC data.

This dashboard makes available important stats and information, including how many permanent residents are admitted each month, the number of new citizens, how many people are inquiring about Canadian citizenship and more.

The ICC also works with partners and program participants to drive research and develop cutting edge insights on inclusion and citizenship.

In 2022, the ICC worked with Canada Research Chair Dr. Rupa Banerjee to produce the report ‘Time to Change Focus? A Review of Immigrant Labour Market Barriers, Outcomes and the Role of Employers in Canada‘.

This report reviews the current state of research on immigrant labour market barriers and outcomes in Canada, highlighting the need for future research that explores the impact of employers on immigrant labour market outcomes.

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The LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture Welcomed Canada’s Governor General

On October 6^th, 2021, together with the University of Calgary, the ICC hosted the 19th Annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture, delivered by Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon. It was beautiful to see guests in person and nearly 400 Canoo members were in attendance!

Her Excellency addressed the importance of teaching Canada’s true history – the good and the bad – both as acts of reconciliation and citizenship for all Canadians, including newcomers. This was followed by a moderated conversation with ICC co-chair John Ralston Saul on the lecture theme: Reconciliation and Evolution of Canada.

The ICC and 1000+ attendees learned that we, as Canadian citizens, must know, advocate and amplify the stories of indigenous peoples, as they have been silenced for too long.

How are newcomers to Canada valuable in advancing reconciliation? We think newcomers are more supportive and eager to learn Canadian history. Newcomers who have faced biases and understand the legacies of colonialism worldwide push for an equal and inclusive country, advancing human rights for all.

In 2023, we will continue to work towards making Canada the most welcoming country in the world. We look forward to sharing more research, positive results, and Canoo success stories in the months to come.

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The Canoo Impact

Canoo was initially offered to new Canadian citizens, who make up the majority of members. With the relaunch of Canoo in May 2022, Canoo is now offered to permanent residents for the first time, and more than 15,000 permanent residents have become members since.

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Meet Canoo Members

Toni Agbaje-Ojo, at the ICC, interviewed Canoo members on their experience using Canoo and covered a range of topics, from understanding what their transition to Canada was like to how Canoo helped them find a sense of belonging in Canada.

Highlighted below are two Canoo members who explain their journey in Canada and use Canoo to create memories and feel connected to Canada.