Institute for Canadian Citizenship
2024 – 2025 Annual Report
Message from the Chair
What a difference a year makes.
Did you predict that “tariff” would be a defining word of 2025?
The past year has forced Canada to re-equip for a different world. We’ve renewed our focus on identity, competitiveness, global trade, and resilience. More hard work remains before us.
Through all the turmoil, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship has emerged as a steady, principled voice for a stronger Canada – reminding us that our national prosperity and future success depend in large part on the world’s most talented people maintaining their interest in coming to Canada and playing for our team.
Over the 2024-25 year, our research earned over 300 million media impressions, in both official languages, reaching more people than ever before. And our Canoo program broke the 2023-24 record, delivering over 400,000 immersive integration experiences that help immigrants fall in love with Canada, just as you and I have.
For the charitable sector, these numbers are unheard of, especially for such a lean organization. For Canada, this impact is essential, helping us to attract, integrate and retain the talent we need, to ensure we remain competitive, unique, strong, and free.
The Board of Directors and I wish to express our utmost gratitude to our generous donors, enthusiastic partners, the very committed ICC team, and most importantly, the newcomers we serve. You have all made essential contributions to Canada this year. Thank you.
I hope you’ll join us in this vital effort to secure Canada’s prosperity, as well as protect our unique identity, and long-term resilience, through the power of welcome.
Sincerely,
Irfhan Rawji
Chair, Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Year in Review 2024–2025
Message
from the
CEO
Most things are beyond our control.
Here at the ICC, we can’t control tariff rates, housing starts, immigration levels, or Canada’s trading relationships with countries beyond the US. All we can do is remind Canadians that immigrants did not cause our problems, and that it’s always a good move to add talented, motivated people to our team. We can also help immigrants have positive experiences of Canada, so they stay, succeed, and contribute to Canada’s success. This report demonstrates very impressive progress on both fronts, reflecting the immense talent and commitment of our lean ICC team, and the profound impact of our work for Canada.
In November, we published the second installment of our Leaky Bucket report, zeroing in on Canada’s declining immigrant retention rate. The report garnered over 100 million media impressions, sparking a national conversation.
Our flagship Canoo Access Pass delivered over 400,000 experiences. We’re poised to surpass 1 million participants by the time I write this letter next year.
These numbers are not just impressive for their size. Think of what they mean: 400,000 free culture, nature and sport experiences for newcomers – half of them children. A fresh voice in the immigration conversation that prioritizes patriotism over politics, emphasizing Canada’s immigration opportunity in a fresh, principled way.
I’m grateful for our stellar team, our devoted board, and our loyal donors who make our impact possible.
The best way to thank them is to support them. I hope you will.
With immense thanks,
Daniel Bernhard
CEO, Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Our Work
How We Do It
1. Canoo Access Pass
Canoo continues to be Canada’s largest and most impactful integration service, providing newcomers with free and discounted access to Canada’s best culture, nature and sport experiences so they fall in love with Canada, stay, succeed, and contribute to a stronger country.
In 2024-25, Canoo reached 11.2% of all eligible permanent residents and new citizens, a steady increase from last year that reflects our growing role as Canada’s national immigrant onboarding program.
Thanks to Canoo, immigrants and their children enjoyed experiences donated by over 400 partners, including:
- Whale watching in Victoria
- Performances at Montréal’s Théâtre aux Écuries
- Family visits to the Manitoba Children’s Museum and the Toronto Zoo.
New partnerships expanded learning and career development opportunities for Canoo members, including digital marketing certificates by Growclass and training from Palette Skills. Our 50% discount with VIA Rail remains extremely popular, as do new, exclusive offers from TELUS, CIBC, Canadian Tire, and other iconic Canadian brands who welcome immigrants via Canoo.
Behind the scenes, ICC strengthened Canoo’s infrastructure. A new self-serve partner portal made it easier for partner organizations to contribute experiences to Canoo, while localized management of the program in Calgary drove a 35% increase in offer redemption, totalling over 30,000 admissions. Canoo also enhanced its support for the legacy settlement sector, promoting traditional services like language training, which were viewed more than 1.2 million times in the app.
At our 2025 Canada’s Difference Makers Gala in Toronto, ICC presented our annual Canoo Awards to honour six outstanding partners: the National Arts Centre, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Children’s Museum, Parks Canada, Cisco, and the Toronto Zoo.
– Julian, Canoo member
Impact
Canoo app was used more than 735,000 times, with satisfaction ratings improving to 4.9 out of 5 stars (up from 1.6 in 2022)
450,000+ admissions to museums, galleries, and parks, plus access to 240 cultural events and more than 2,000 upskilling opportunities.
VIA Rail’s 50% Canoo family discount viewed over 32,000 times.
38 new and renewed partnerships, including Festival Bach Montréal, Regina International Film Festival, Harbourfront Theatre (PEI), and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary)
Local program management in Calgary achieved a 35% month-over-month increase in redemptions, totalling more than 30,000 admissions.
Canoo Member Growth
Future of Canoo
In 2025-26, Canoo will continue expanding, with new offers that help newcomers in more aspects of life, including apartment rentals, professional sports, children’s athletics, and travel. We will also keep investing in our technology, to deliver a better, faster, and more reliable experience for Canoo members and partners alike.
– Duc, Canoo Member
– Eileen, Canoo Member
2. Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies
Since 2007, ICC has been the Government of Canada’s largest partner in delivering citizenship ceremonies, hosting 60 enhanced ceremonies annually. These events combine the formal citizenship oath with Indigenous welcomes, guest speakers, artistic performances, and our signature storytelling circles, where the new citizens reflect on their immigration journey with each other and with Canadians in attendance.
In 2024, we launched a new format for these ceremonies, designed to make the experience more welcoming and meaningful. Updates included interactive activities such as a world map for participants to mark their countries of origin and conversation cards to spark dialogue. New citizens also received keepsakes like a photo booklet and a bilingual Call to Action guide on Indigenous history and reconciliation.
ICC ceremonies reached new communities in 2024-25. In Yellowknife, 30 people from 16 countries became Canadian citizens at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, joined by Indigenous leaders and local officials. In Brampton, 47 candidates from 15 countries took their oath on the ice rink at the CAA Centre before a Brampton Steelheads hockey game, accompanied by a traditional blessing and choir performance. And in Whitehorse, the MacBride Museum welcomed new citizens in a ceremony that drew broad community participation, many experiencing such an event for the first time.
Through these ceremonies, ICC not only celebrated citizenship but also amplified stories of belonging, inclusion, and reconciliation across Canada.
A few highlights from the remarks of guest speakers at enhanced citizenship ceremonies:
As I think about my own journey, I am happily married and live with my beautiful wife in Brandon, Manitoba. Once an immigrant myself, I now have the privilege of leading an organization that helps immigrants and newcomers rebuild their new lives. This has been a dream come true for me.
Enver Naidoo, Guest Speaker
This is a very special day for you as new Canadian citizens. You are now part of a country that honours people from diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities, professions, and more. As newcomers to Canada, you complement the pluralism found in communities across the many cities and towns of British Columbia. You are also able to grow and preserve your heritage.
Shams Alibhai, Guest Speaker
Impact
4,522 new citizens sworn in through Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies (2024–25)
60 ceremonies delivered in both official languages, in-person and virtually
Expanded locations beyond major urban centres to Yellowknife, Brampton, and Whitehorse
Over 90% of ceremonies hosted at Canoo partner venues, including the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and others
Closing of the Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies Program
Due to recent funding decisions by the Government of Canada, ICC was forced to discontinue our Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies Program on March 31, 2025.
We are deeply grateful to the many partners and collaborators who helped make this program a success, and to the thousands of new Canadians who allowed us to share in their journey. These ceremonies elevated the significance of becoming a Canadian citizen, combining the formal oath with storytelling, cultural expression, and moments of reflection that resonated with both new citizens and the country.
– New Canadian citizen
– New Canadian citizen
3. Ideas and Insights
Through high-impact research and public policy, ICC has strengthened its role as a national leader on immigration and citizenship. This year, our work shaped conversations with government, business, and media, highlighting both the challenges newcomers face and the opportunities Canada must seize to help them succeed.
In November 2024, we released the second instalment of The Leaky Bucket, our flagship study on immigrant retention. Launched on Parliament Hill with over 100 Senators, MPs, and community leaders in attendance, it highlighted the urgent need to expand programs that help immigrants put down roots in Canada.
In partnership with Ipsos, we published The Newcomer Perspective, Canada’s largest study of immigrant experiences. Findings showed why fewer immigrants are staying or pursuing citizenship, with affordability and cost of living emerging as top concerns. These insights are now guiding policy and employer strategies to accelerate integration.
In partnership with Deloitte, we produced Talent to Win, a landmark report that engaged business leaders across the country to identify practical ways to reduce underemployment among highly skilled newcomers.
We also strengthened ICC’s own data capacity, by upgrading analytics systems and launching new monitoring tools, giving us sharper insight into member needs and stronger measurement of impact.
Impact
Published 5 major research reports
Featured in over 600 media interviews and articles across national and international outlets
Generated over 338 million media impressions through coverage of ICC research
Future of Research
In the coming year, ICC will issue a new installment of The Leaky Bucket and publish new research on what motivates immigrants to stay in Canada long-term. We will expand our work on labour market integration, with a focus on persistent barriers such as foreign credential recognition and launch a new function to leverage Canoo app data for greater real-world impact.
Financials 2024–2025
2021-2025 Projected Growth
Expenses
Revenue
Total Revenue
$5,015,945
$2,764,533
(50%)$2,202,889
(44%)$48,523
(1%)Total Expenses
$4,945,687
$4,163,558
(84%)$473,395
(10%)$308,734
(6%)All figures above have been independently reviewed and approved by ICC’s 2024–2025 auditors, BDO Canada LLP.
Additional financial information relating to the ICC can be found on our website https://www.forcitizenship.ca/ or on the CRA website https://www.canada.ca/en/revenueagency.html. To view ICC Charity Return History on the CRA website, click here.
Our Community
The ICC is tremendously grateful for the growing community of generous and loyal donors and partners who have joined us in our mission to unlock Canada for newcomers. To our donors and partners – individuals, foundations, corporations, government – you support us through generous contributions, you tell others about our work, and you make us more powerful than we could ever be on our own.
Thank you for your unwavering support and generosity!
Our Team
– Kathryn Paige Hawco, Manager, Western Canada
How You Can Help
We’re working to unlock Canada for newcomers. Want to help us make it happen?
Like you, we believe immigration isn’t the cause of Canada’s ills but, in many cases, the solution. This is what our Canada’s Difference Makers campaign is all about and that’s the idea we broadcast: that immigrants make a vital difference for Canada every day and make the difference between a Canada that stagnates and withers and a Canada that renews its prosperity for the next generation.
See https://thedifferencemakers.ca for more information on the campaign.
With your financial support, together we’ll help immigrants fall in love with Canada, stay, and build their futures here – making Canada the most welcoming place on Earth.
Here are some ways you can make a difference:
Give
Participate
SHARE
Amplify newcomer voices and opportunities by sharing the ICC’s work with your community.