Advancing and reimagining collaboration across Canada’s settlement & integration sector

National Sector Engagement encompasses a series of National Committees, Working Groups, a Council, and collaborative processes working with IRCC in coordinating the advancement of policy, programming, and service delivery for newcomers throughout Canada

About the National Governance Structure

The National Governance Structure is a model for bilateral cooperation between Canada’s settlement and integration sector and the federal government. It creates a coordinated space for discussing national policy, programming, and service delivery processes, and supports shared understanding of issues, trends, and opportunities across the sector.

Through National Bodies and specialized Working Groups, the structure enables collaboration between sector representatives and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), strengthening decision-making and improving outcomes for newcomers in Canada.

Quarterly Highlights

Working Group Small Centres Engagement

CTAR hosted a small centres focus group on anti-racism capacity and DPC engaged SPOs through the Small Centres Coordination Meeting

Meeting with the Ministers Office

SIPPC, SISDC and NSIC’s sector co-chairs met with Minister Diab’s Policy staff in Ottawa in June to discuss the impact of recent policy changes including Bill C12 and IFHP co-payments.

NSE Forum 2026 Coming Up!

November 16-20th all of the National Bodies will gather in Ottawa for a week of in person meetings to further strengthen sector-IRCC engagement and collaboration.

Recommendation Letters to IRCC

Sector members shared impact of funding cuts and key policy and program changes including eligibility restrictions, IFHP, Bill C12 and cuts to Stage 2 language

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions.

National Sector Engagement encompasses a series of national Committees, Working Groups, a Council, and collaborative processes working with IRCC in coordinating the advancement of policy, programming, and service delivery for newcomers throughout Canada.

There are two methods to get involved. First, openings across any of the national bodies or Working Groups can be found here. Check here for when vacancies exist, or when new Groups are created and are looking for new members.

If you have existing relationships with any existing national members, you may also connect with them directly. You will find all the members listed on each committee and working group page. If you don’t know who to contact or aren’t yet connected with your local representatives, and would like to elevate any concerns of priorities, you can contact the National Sector Engagement (NSE) team at nse@amssa.org . The NSE team will then connect you, or direct your communication, to the best national body or representative.  

Each national body has a unique membership process based on regional and or programmatic election or public expressions of interest. You can find any active expressions of interest here.