Minister MacKay announces support for newcomers to settle and integrate in Halifax

Halifax, June 27, 2008 — The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced new funding to help an estimated 3,000 immigrants in Nova Scotia.

“Our government believes in immigration, and we are committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Minister MacKay. “Today’s funding announcement is of particular importance to Nova Scotia because immigration is vital to sustaining our province’s communities, our economic growth and our future prosperity.”

The new funding, totalling more than $10.3 million over the next three years, will go to several agencies in the Halifax Regional Municipality to provide settlement services such as language training, counseling and help finding a job.

“We need new Canadians—;and we need to help them settle comfortably in our communities,” Minister MacKay added. “Attracting more immigrants to Nova Scotia will help to counter the declining population trends in our communities and provide our province with skilled workers who can meet the labour market needs of our businesses. New Canadians are the hope of our future and they will return to us so much more than we give.”

The agencies that received funding applauded today’s announcement. “Our YMCA programs help create stronger communities,” said Barbara Miller, Vice President, YMCA Community Outreach & Family Services. “We achieve this by helping immigrants settle in their new communities, as well as by educating members of our Nova Scotia communities about the issues and barriers that newcomers face in adjusting and adapting to a new language, culture, climate and community, while maintaining their own. With our special emphasis on programs for immigrant children/youth and their families, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ensures that we can promote diversity as part of building more inclusive communities.”

“The key to successful integration is language; it provides newcomers with the overall capacity to manage and control all aspects of life,” said Gerry Mills, Executive Director of the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre. “Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s funding will support the language learning goals of newcomers that will ultimately lead to their active participation in the community.”

Halifax Regional School Board Superintendent Carole Olsen also emphasized the importance of language training. “By improving our newcomers’ language proficiency, we give them a step up in finding greater opportunities to find work, and we also help them to become fully engaged in Canadian society,” she said. “We are happy to receive today’s funding, as it will help us to continue to offer our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program.”

Claudette Legault, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association said she was “very pleased to accept this investment in Nova Scotia’s future from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This funding will help ensure that we can continue to provide immigrants with a wide range of services and support to help them in their efforts to settle in Nova Scotia.”

“Through the Host program, we will continue to work with CIC to attract and retain Francophone immigrants to the province of Nova Scotia,” said Jean Léger, Executive Director of la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse. “With the Host program, we match Francophone immigrants with French-speaking volunteers from the area to help them better integrate into the community.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with the provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the Halifax-area organizations is offered under the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counseling services. Other programs include Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults, and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in their new community.

The 2008 budget also introduced changes to modernize the immigration system and shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this system, newcomers will arrive with the skills required to integrate more quickly into the economy. In this way, newcomers will have more opportunities to find work sooner in the fields for which they have been trained and to benefit more from life in Canada for themselves and their families.

Newcomers can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

Government of Canada enhances services at visa office in Beirut, Lebanon

Ottawa, June 26, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that the Department is enhancing the services offered by its visa office in Beirut, Lebanon. Effective immediately, permanent resident applicants from Lebanon can choose to be interviewed by immigration officers in Beirut.

“Citizens of Lebanon deserve to have their visa interviews conducted in their own country,” said Minister Finley. “We are upgrading our services at the visa office in Beirut in order to make it easier for people to complete their application process.”

Until now, permanent resident applicants were required to travel to Damascus, Syria, for an interview since immigrant applications from Lebanon are processed by the visa office in Damascus. The only exception applied to family class applicants who had the choice of being interviewed in either Beirut or Damascus. In such cases, immigration officers would travel from Damascus to Beirut to conduct the interviews.

This new change means that applicants requiring interviews will now have a choice between Beirut, Lebanon and Damascus, Syria.

The Government of Canada is continuously looking at ways to improve services to applicants.

Government of Canada announces funding to help resettle refugees in Hamilton

Hamilton, June 20, 2008 — Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help refugees settle and succeed in Hamilton.

Settlement and Integration Services will receive more than $730,000 to assist up to 320 refugees in beginning their lives in Ontario. This is in addition to the more than $14.5 million announced since April for Hamilton-area settlement services, such as language training and assistance in finding a job, which refugees are also able to access.

“Canada is a blessed country, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping those truly in need begin their new lives in Canada,” said Minister Finley. “As we celebrate World Refugee Day, these services will help them along their journey. The hopes and dreams they bring with them will help build a richer and stronger Canada.”

World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20, is an annual opportunity to honour the courage of the millions of refugees and displaced people around the world.

The funding announced today is provided through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which offers financial support and immediate and essential services. These services include help with temporary accommodation, assistance in finding a permanent home, help with such items as banking, managing a household and other everyday tasks, and referrals to federal and provincial programs.

“Refugees need support as they settle in to the community,” said Mr. Wallace.  “That’s why the Government of Canada supports the work of organizations like Settlement and Integration Services, which provide the concrete help that newcomers need.”

“The RAP is an innovative way to successfully settle and integrate government-assisted refugees into their new communities across Canada,” said Morteza Jafarpour, Executive Director of Settlement and Integration Services in Hamilton. “The new RAP funding not only enables us to continue to build on this success, but also to make Canada a leader in the international humanitarian commitment to protect refugee families and children.”

For 2008–09, CIC has set aside $18.5 million under this program to help refugees in Ontario. In total, more than $49 million has been set aside under the RAP to assist in the resettlement of refugees across Canada except in Quebec, which is funded under the Canada-Quebec Accord.

The resettlement services are in addition to settlement services and programs funded by CIC to help all newcomers, including refugees, settle and integrate into their new communities. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Government of Canada has increased funding for these broader settlement services by $920 million over five years. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding in provinces and territories outside Quebec.

Settlement and resettlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. They help immigrants and refugees overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience and are key to supporting their longer term economic and social integration.

Canada resettles 10,000 to 12,000 refugees from overseas every year. This represents 10% of the 100,000 refugees resettled globally. In 2008, Canada will welcome 7,300 to 7,500 government-assisted refugees through the RAP and 3,300 to 4,500 through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

Canada celebrates World Refugee Day

Ottawa, June 20, 2008 — Today, in celebration of World Refugee Day, Canada proudly joins countries around the world in honouring the strength and courage of refugees everywhere.

“Every year, World Refugee Day allows us to recognize the courage of the millions of refugees who have been living in uncertain, difficult conditions, often for long periods of time,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Canada has a long tradition of welcoming those who are in legitimate need of protection and Canadians can be proud of helping so many to rebuild their lives in safety.”

As part of today’s celebrations to mark World Refugee Day, Minister Finley will preside over two citizenship ceremonies in Ottawa and Toronto. Refugees will be among those taking their oath of citizenship.

Canada accepts more than 30,000 refugees every year. This includes those who come to Canada and successfully claim refugee status and refugees living overseas that Canada agrees to resettle. In fact, through its resettlement program, Canada selects 10,000 to 12,000 refugees annually from around the world, making it a global leader in resettlement efforts. These refugees represent 10 percent of the 100,000 refugees who are resettled every year worldwide.

In 2008, Canada announced the resettlement of 1,300 more Karen refugees and up to 2,000 Iraqi refugees. Canada will also resettle up to 5,000 Bhutanese refugees over the next three to five years. Once they are here, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will work closely with settlement service providers, private sponsors and the provinces to deliver the services and supports that will help them adapt to life in Canada.

“Canada is a leading advocate for the protection of refugees around the world,” said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. “Canada is particularly committed to working with the international community to find lasting solutions for refugees who have been living in exile for decades.”

“Canada is concerned with the refugees around the world, who have lost home and community,” said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. “Canada is a strong supporter of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) to support relief efforts, who provides protection and promotes durable solutions. Last year, Canadian funding helped the (UNHCR) to support the voluntary return of more than 365,000 individuals from Pakistan and Iran to their homes in Afghanistan.”

“Refugees are real survivors and deserve our respect for maintaining hope and courage in the face of enormous odds,” said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres. “Through their generous support for the world’s uprooted people, Canadians have shown not only humanitarian concern but a recognition of the enormous contributions that refugees can make to their new communities.”

In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to bring attention to the plight of the world’s refugees and to offer support, encouragement and respect. With this year’s theme of “Protecting Refugees: Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity,” the day is an occasion to celebrate the remarkable determination of refugees who have lived in hardship and who now have a chance to rebuild their lives in security.

Government of Canada improves Permanent Resident Card application process

Ottawa, June 16, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced two significant changes to the permanent resident card (PR card) application process.

Permanent residents applying to replace a card that is due to expire are no longer required to send in their current valid card with the application. Instead, they now only need to exchange their old card when they pick up the new card in person at a local Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. In addition, applicants for a new or replacement PR card are no longer required to obtain the signature of a guarantor or sign a statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor.

“These changes demonstrate our continued commitment to providing more convenient services to newcomers,” said Minister Finley. “We recognize that people may want to hold on to a valid card for travel purposes while waiting for the replacement. We also understand that newcomers may have difficulty finding a guarantor who has known them for at least two years.”

Allowing permanent residents to keep their valid cards while waiting for a replacement will make it easier for people to travel while their application is being processed.

Previously, permanent residents had to send in their existing PR card when they applied for a replacement. This presented an inconvenience for permanent residents who intended to travel outside Canada while their application was being processed. Permanent residents should still include their PR card with the application for a replacement if it has already expired.

Eliminating the need for a guarantor will simplify the permanent resident card application process without compromising security. For example, CIC can verify an applicant\'s passport, driver’s licence, or employment and educational information to confirm their residence and identity.

The PR card confirms the holder’s permanent resident status in Canada. Permanent residents who travel outside Canada must show the card before boarding commercial transportation (plane, train, boat or bus) to return to Canada. Without a valid PR card, permanent residents would not be allowed to board commercial transportation back to Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada encourages permanent residents to check the expiry date on their PR cards and apply for a new one well before they plan to travel. The PR card was introduced in 2002, and, in most cases, is valid for a five-year period.

Canada and Prince Edward Island sign new agreement on immigration

Charlottetown, June 13, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development for Prince Edward Island, on behalf of P.E.I.’s Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, today announced the new Agreement for Canada‑Prince Edward Island Co‑operation on Immigration.

The new agreement will make it easier for the province to attract more skilled international workers, to process those applications more quickly and to strengthen its Francophone community.

“The Government of Canada believes in immigration and the signing of today’s new agreement means Prince Edward Island has an immigration agreement that is tailored to the province’s unique needs and priorities,” said Minister Finley. “The focus of the Prince Edward Island agreement is the removal of limits in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), collaboration on overseas marketing initiatives, and the targeted use of the PNP to attract and retain Francophone immigrants. This will ensure that the province is able to select the number of immigrants it needs to meet labour market demands and build a stronger economy.”

“We are very pleased to renew this immigration agreement with the federal government,” said Mr. Campbell. “It gives the province the authority we need to attract new immigrants who will meet gaps in our labour market and help boost our declining population.”

The agreement, which sets out the roles and responsibilities in immigration matters, replaces a previous agreement signed in 2001. It includes several new provisions aimed at keeping pace with Prince Edward Island’s changing economic, social and demographic needs. Specifically, the new agreement means:

• Prince Edward Island will be able to address particular social, demographic, economic development and labour market needs.
• Prince Edward Island will be able to nominate more immigrants possessing the skills needed in the province, for quicker processing by the Government of Canada.
• Prince Edward Island and Canada will work together to share information and to develop and implement strategies to better integrate immigrants into the labour market. This includes improving the process for the recognition of foreign credentials.
• Canada and Prince Edward Island will enhance their cooperation in overseas immigration marketing initiatives, including bringing temporary foreign workers and students to the province.
• There will be increased encouragement for the recruitment and retention of Francophone immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program.

The agreement formalizes and builds on the existing collaborative relationship between Canada and Prince Edward Island on immigration matters, including the delivery of settlement and integration services. It also recognizes the importance of involving community stakeholders, including service providers, municipalities and the private sector, in welcoming newcomers.

Attracting more immigrants to Prince Edward Island will help maintain population levels in the province’s communities and will provide skilled workers who can meet the labour market needs of P.E.I. businesses.

Government of Canada supports organizations that deliver language instruction for newcomers to Canada

Toronto, June 10, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today underlined the Government’s support for organizations that deliver language training to newcomers.

“The successful integration of newcomers is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “Learning language skills are key to newcomers’ success and language training gives newcomers the tools they need to fully participate in their communities.”

Today at a conference for language training administrators, Mr. Komarnicki praised the important work of professionals who provide language instruction to newcomers. The conference brings together language training professionals that provide language training under the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program.

“Language training professionals play such a critical role in helping newcomers adapt to life not just in Ontario but all across Canada,” Mr. Komarnicki said. “We’re very pleased to support their work to help newcomers succeed. When newcomers succeed, we all succeed.”

Language training is one of several settlement services funded by the federal government to help immigrants integrate into their new communities. These services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Over the coming year, $150 million will be invested in two key language training programs: the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program and the Enhanced Language Training program. This is an increase from the $143 million committed over the past year.

Overall, through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

In addition to language training, CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces new language training funding for internationally trained environmental engineers

Toronto, June 2, 2008 — The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will be able to provide enhanced language training to internationally trained environmental engineers in Toronto thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding of more than $58,000 to provide enhanced language training to 40 environmental engineers who were trained abroad.

The training will be delivered as part of the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program, a joint initiative of the TRCA and several other community and professional associations. Engineers who participate in this program are also offered a 12-month full-time job placement with a host organization in the environmental engineering field.

“Language can be one of the most challenging barriers faced by newcomers to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “With this investment, highly skilled environmental engineers in Toronto will have access to the specialized language training they need to work in their field of expertise. Their success is good for Toronto and good for our country as a whole.”

“Thanks to the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can now address the challenges facing internationally trained professionals in finding employment in their field,” said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer of the TRCA. “This new funding allows us to offer services that will increase the communication skills of newcomers, provide better access to professional accreditation, and open doors to the job market.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

The 2008 budget also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system, including shortening the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, provide a better life for themselves and their families and benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the TRCA is provided through the Enhanced Language Training initiative which provides both occupation-specific language training and employability assistance. Other programs include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces new language training funding for internationally trained environmental engineers

Toronto, June 2, 2008 — The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will be able to provide enhanced language training to internationally trained environmental engineers in Toronto thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding of more than $58,000 to provide enhanced language training to 40 environmental engineers who were trained abroad.

The training will be delivered as part of the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program, a joint initiative of the TRCA and several other community and professional associations. Engineers who participate in this program are also offered a 12-month full-time job placement with a host organization in the environmental engineering field.

“Language can be one of the most challenging barriers faced by newcomers to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “With this investment, highly skilled environmental engineers in Toronto will have access to the specialized language training they need to work in their field of expertise. Their success is good for Toronto and good for our country as a whole.”

“Thanks to the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can now address the challenges facing internationally trained professionals in finding employment in their field,” said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer of the TRCA. “This new funding allows us to offer services that will increase the communication skills of newcomers, provide better access to professional accreditation, and open doors to the job market.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

The 2008 budget also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system, including shortening the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, provide a better life for themselves and their families and benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the TRCA is provided through the Enhanced Language Training initiative which provides both occupation-specific language training and employability assistance. Other programs include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces funding to help newcomers settle in Welland

Welland, May 30, 2008 — Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre to deliver settlement services to immigrants in Welland and the surrounding area.

The funding of almost $700,000 is expected to help newcomers to Canada access a variety of settlement services including language training, referrals to community resources and help finding a job. The funding will also provide for eight child-minding spots so that parents with young children can participate in these programs and a mentorship program that will match newcomers with Canadian volunteers. In total, the funding is expected to help an estimated 180 newcomers integrate into the community.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping immigrants get successfully started in Canada,” said Mr. Dykstra. “This funding will give newcomers in the Welland area access to a number of valuable services, providing the support they need as they integrate into the community.  Their success is good for Welland and good for Canada.”

“The City of Welland has become dramatically more diverse over the past couple of years,” says Claire Masswohl, Executive Director of the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre. “The new funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada will allow us to implement new programs to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, enriching our city as a whole.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years, helping thousands of newcomers to Ontario. Under COIA, Citizenship and Immigration Canada works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces funding to Sheridan College to provide language training to newcomers

Oakville, May 16, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning to deliver settlement services to an estimated 800 immigrants at its campuses in Oakville and Brampton.

The funding of over $5.5 million will go toward a number of services to help newcomers prepare to enter the Canadian labour market, including language training, mentorship and career development programs for internationally trained individuals.

Participants will also enjoy the same privileges as other Sheridan students, such as access to the library, career centres and computer labs.

“Finding a job is one of the most significant challenges facing new immigrants to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “We want newcomers to succeed, and we want to help them find good jobs. Through this funding and the efforts of Sheridan College, newcomers will have the opportunity to develop the skills to find work in their fields. Their success is our success.”

“With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can creatively respond to the unique needs of newcomers through new programming designed specifically for internationally trained professionals,” said Joyce Wayne, Director of the Sheridan Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals. “We are very excited to work with CIC to build English language training and post-secondary opportunities for newcomers at Sheridan College. These programs will not only enhance the language capabilities of our immigrants, but will also offer our internationally trained students diplomas and certificates from a recognized college in Canada.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding in provinces and territories outside Quebec.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces funding to help newcomers settle in Kitchener-Waterloo

The more than $8.4 million in funding will help newcomers to Canada access a variety of settlement services in the city including language training, referrals to community resources and help finding a job.

“The Government of Canada wants newcomers to succeed,” said Mr. Albrecht. “This funding will give immigrants in Kitchener-Waterloo access to the support they need as they settle into our community. From language training to help finding a job, the five organizations we are supporting today deliver valuable services to newcomers. Their success is good for Kitchener-Waterloo and good for our country as a whole.”

“We want more newcomers to join us, more to be reunited with families and more to be successful Canadians,” said Minister Finley. “Despite increases in immigration levels, settlement funding had not increased for many years. That’s why we’ve increased funding and it’s having an impact in communities across the country, like Kitchener-Waterloo.”

“Building strong communities now and in the future requires that we discover and maximize the skills potential of all who participate in the economy,” said John Tibbits, President, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. “Conestoga strongly supports the efforts of many community groups towards this end, and we have forged productive partnerships with these groups, because we are all working towards the goal of community development combined with economic progress. The funding announced today by the Government of Canada is welcome news. It encourages all of us to press on with new, effective initiatives.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the Agreement, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada releases progress report of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office

“The FCRO is helping newcomers  to Canada use their talents in the fields for which they’ve been trained,” said Minister Finley. “By helping immigrants find out how to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly, especially before they enter Canada, their chances for success will improve.  That can only be good for Canada and for newcomers.”

Since its launch less than a year ago, the FCRO has established a variety of ways to help newcomers and prospective immigrants find the information they need to put their skills to work in Canada. For example, the 320 Service Canada centres offering in-person foreign credential referral services have helped over 9,000 people and the FCRO website has had over 250,000 visits, the majority from outside Canada. This clearly demonstrates that people are getting information before they arrive in Canada.

The Working in Canada Tool is a key feature of the website. This tool is helping internationally trained individuals find information about the labour market related to their occupation in Canada. This includes information on jobs related to their skills and the city in which they wish to work in Canada, including information on job duties, skill requirements and wage rates for a chosen location in Canada.

In the past year, Minister Finley also visited India where she announced the expansion of overseas orientation sessions to include itinerant services in India and China. Delivered in China, India and the Philippines by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges’ Canadian Immigration Integration Project, these sessions help increase awareness about the credential recognition process in Canada. For the year ahead, the FCRO has plans to enhance its services for newcomers and, in particular, its overseas services for prospective immigrants.

The progress report details the FCRO’s activities, which are aimed at providing authoritative information, path-finding and referral services to newcomers and prospective immigrants. In addition, the report highlights some of the key achievements of the FCRO in its start-up year to address foreign credential recognition with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

The release of the report coincides with the National Conference on Foreign Credential Recognition hosted by the FCRO and the Conference Board of Canada’s Leaders’ Roundtable on Immigration, and taking place on April 22 and 23, 2008, in Calgary, Alberta. The conference is aimed at enhancing coordination on foreign credential recognition and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders from federal, provincial and territorial governments, regulatory bodies, credential assessment agencies, immigrant-serving organizations, business and employer associations and post-secondary educational institutions.

The FCRO is located within Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Its role is to provide authoritative information, path-finding and referral services to internationally trained individuals overseas as early as possible in the immigration process and in Canada. The Office works with Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, other federal partners, the provinces and territories and other stakeholders to strengthen FCR processes in Canada. The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the regulation of skilled trades and some professions.

Government of Canada introduces changes to work permits for international students, making Canada more attractive for skilled individuals

Effective immediately, and for the first time, these international students would be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer. In addition, the duration of the work permit has been extended to three years across the country. Previously, the program only allowed international students to work for one or two years, depending on location.

“The Government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada and we want to help them succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Open and longer work permits provide international students with more opportunities for Canadian work experience and skills development. This will, in turn, help make Canada a destination of choice, and help us keep international students already studying in Canada.”

The increased flexibility offered by the expanded program will benefit graduates and employers alike as the program will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada’s labour market needs. Canada will benefit in the long run as the professional experience gained will help graduates meet the requirements to stay permanently in Canada.

“As we move toward the implementation of the Canadian Experience Class, these changes will help create a pool of individuals who, with work experience, will find it easier to apply to immigrate to Canada,” added Minister Finley. “Our ability to retain international graduates with Canadian qualifications, work experience and familiarity with Canadian society, will help increase our competitiveness and benefit Canada as a whole.”

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Preliminary 2007 data indicate that 63,673 international students came to Canada that year, representing a 4.6 percent increase over the previous year.

Reducing Canada’s immigration backlog

Canada needs a more responsive immigration system where we reduce wait times so that families are reunited faster and skilled workers arrive sooner. That’s why, on March 14, the Government of Canada proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The changes mean that those who submitted an application before February 27, 2008, would continue to be processed under the current system. However, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers. Anyone would still be able to apply, but CIC would no longer be required to process all new skilled worker applications.

Under the proposed changes, the Minister would have the authority to issue instructions to immigration officers on the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. However, as is the case now, the decisions on individual applications would still be made by CIC immigration officers. The Minister cannot reverse these decisions.

The instructions would be made public, and would reflect commitments to provinces and territories. They would be published in the Canada Gazette, reported in the Department’s annual report to Parliament and posted on CIC’s website.

Government of Canada announces support for the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society to help newcomers settle in the community

Toronto, April 11, 2008 — Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS) deliver settlement services to nearly 3,000 immigrants in Toronto.

The funding of more than $2.7 million is expected to help newcomers to Canada access settlement services in the city such as referrals to community resources, advice and guidance, translation and interpretation, and group workshops on the Canadian legal, social, health and economic system. This investment will help the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society deliver specialty language training for seniors and higher level language training, with a focus on writing skills.

The contribution will also support a pilot youth program which will include sporting, social, and recreational activities. This will include a new Youth Outreach Worker to provide social services to youth who have been harder to reach, such as Government Assisted Refugees and young people with mental or physical health challenges.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping new families to Canada succeed,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “With this funding, newcomers including youth and senior citizens will have access to specialty services that support their distinct needs. These services will ease their transition to life in Canada and strengthen Toronto and the community as a whole.”

“The new funding will allow our centre to help newcomer families settle in Toronto,” said Eugen Duvalko, President of the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society. “With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), we can continue to provide a friendly and welcoming environment, while delivering essential settlement services, so that newcomers feel they made the right choice in selecting Canada as their new home. Our agency is proud to be part of the longstanding Canadian tradition of local community initiatives assisting newcomers.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the COIA, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral services, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada congratulates graduates of enhanced language training for community policing program

Oakville, June 4, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today congratulated graduates of the Halton Multicultural Council’s Enhanced Language Training for Community Policing program, supported by the Halton Regional Police Service.

“When newcomers succeed, we all succeed, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers do well,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “That’s why we are supportive of community efforts such as this one to help newcomers achieve their goals and work in the career of their choice in Canada.”

The program’s seven graduates are newcomers to Canada with a background in law enforcement and security. Graduates completed a demanding 17-week week enhanced-language training program, thanks to the support of the Halton Multicultural Council and the Halton Regional Police Service.  Funding for this program in the amount of $639,969 is provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.

“The Halton Regional Police Service takes great pride in our ability to serve and be a part of a culturally diverse region. We value the partnerships we have developed with our communities and are very proud to be a part of this Enhanced Language Training Community Policing program initiated by the Halton Multicultural Council,” said Halton Regional Police Service Chief Gary Crowell.

Today’s graduation ceremony also marks the third annual Emergency Services Introduction for New Canadians Day. Hosted by the Halton Regional Police Service, this program helps newcomers understand the role of emergency personnel. The program also teaches new Canadians how to access services through 911 in an emergency or through non-emergency channels.

“Starting over in a new country is not easy,” Mr. Komarnicki said. “When they are preparing for a career in emergency services,  they will bring a cultural understanding to the situation, which will be especially helpful for those who are new to this country.”

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

CIFA Lunch IMEFAST ( Immigration Easy & Fast) Project for Golden Club Members

On Tuesday April 8th, 2008 Mr. Timothee Joly Youndje Feze, director of IMEFAST project will be visiting Cameroon to launch the pilot project of Immigration Easy & Fast.  

IMEFAST a new program design by accredited immigration consultants in cooperation with CIFA, Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance to help and finance qualified potentials immigrants to get their immigration Easy & Fast.

Mr. Feze represents CIH, Canadian Immigration House, will hold several conferences in Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, Dschang and other cities.

Canada actually experience high shortages in manpower, Her Excellency Mrs. Diane Finley, Minister of Immigration announce new measurements for the processing of skilled workers applications.  

Under the proposed measures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers.

The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing a range of labor market needs. 

IMEFAST offers the opportunity to all CIFA Golden Club Members to finance all the government processing fees, consultancy fees and right of landing fees with a loan INTEREST FREE.

Interested Golden Club members can file the application online; they can start the processing of your immigration file right now.

 For more information you can contact Mr.Feze during his stay in Cameroon on his Mobile (237)79 30 36 56

Canada to double number of Iraqi refugees

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced that Canada will more than double the number of Convention refugees it receives this year from Iraq.

Canada will welcome between 1,800 and 2,000 Iraqi refugees in 2008, up from approximately 900 in 2007.  The majority will be resettled from Syria and Jordan.

“This year, we are responding to the situation in Iraq by significantly increasing the number of Iraqi refugees we accept,” said Minister Finley. “Consistent with Canada’s longstanding tradition of providing protection to refugees most in need, we will continue to monitor this situation and explore options to further meet resettlement needs with respect to Iraqis.”

Including the Iraqi refugees, Canada is increasing the Middle East resettlement target to 3,300 people this year, which is a 54 percent increase over 2007.  This means that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be allocating almost one third of its global resettlement places to Iraqi and other refugees displaced in the region by war.

This increase builds on Canada’s previous commitment, announced November 19, 2007, to help reunite families affected by the situation in Iraq by expediting processing for immediate family members, parents and grandparents, and orphans who are sponsored by a family member in Canada.

To meet Canada’s commitments for 2008, missions will be considering applications referred to them by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as well as the private sponsorship community.

“Canada has always played an important international role in alleviating and finding solutions to the plight of refugees worldwide.  We are pleased to note that Canada has yet again responded to the UNHCR’s recent appeal to give more places to Iraqi and other refugees from the Middle East,” said Mr. Abraham Abraham, UNHCR Representative in Canada.

The UNHCR is currently in the process of identifying the most vulnerable and those in need of resettlement.  According to the UNHCR, more than two million Iraqis have fled to neighbouring countries in the region, the majority in Syria, Jordan and Egypt.  The UNHCR has asked the international resettlement community to help these neighbouring countries by providing humanitarian assistance and resettling those refugees who are identified as most vulnerable.

Every year, 19 countries from around the world resettle about 100,000 refugees.  From that number, Canada annually resettles 10,000 to 12,000 refugees from 70 different nationalities, or one out of every ten refugees resettled globally.

In 2008, 2,060 people through the Government-Assisted Refugees Program and 1,240 through the Privately Sponsored Refugees Program will be resettled from the Middle East region.

Canada is a leader in mobilizing international efforts to find solutions for refugees in protracted situations. Canada has already taken action on a number of fronts including the Government’s decision to resettle Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and Karen in Thailand

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO HELP NEWCOMERS SETTLE IN PETERBOROUGH

Peterborough, March 28, 2008 — Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the New Canadians Centre deliver settlement services to an estimated 400 immigrants in Peterborough.

The funding of more than $450,000 is expected to help newcomers to Canada access settlement services in the city such as language training, paraprofessional counselling and assistance in finding a job, including access to workplace training opportunities in bookkeeping, computer repair, the legal field, food service and other occupations.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Mr. Del Mastro. “One of the biggest challenges for newcomers when they arrive in Canada is finding employment. The job training opportunities offered by the New Canadians Centre give newcomers a chance to gain Canadian experience, making them more attractive to Canadian employers.”

“The new funding will allow our centre to serve newcomers who now call Peterborough and the Kawartha region their home,” said Carmela Valles, Executive Director of New Canadians Centre Peterborough. “With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), we are better able to assist hundreds of newcomer clients and help them successfully integrate and participate in their new communities.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the COIA, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and paraprofessional counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

The Government of Canada invests in Saskatoon to help newcomers settle and integrate

The Government of Canada invests in Saskatoon to help newcomers settle and integrate

Saskatoon, March 28, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help Saskatoon promote and coordinate early settlement and integration support for immigrants and refugees moving to the city.

Funding of $74,000 will support the development of mutual awareness, understanding and appreciation among racial, religious and ethnocultural groups. The funding will also help provide newcomers with meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities; coordinate and promote existing services for newcomers; and help newcomers integrate into the community.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed in Canada,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “This funding will help make Saskatoon a destination of choice by supporting the city’s efforts to create a more welcoming community.”

The City of Saskatoon is striving to provide significant recognition for this important issue by providing an expanded opportunity for public awareness and community participation. This funding will also help meet the recommendations of the report entitled Building Saskatoon to Become a Global City: A Framework for an Immigration Plan. This report provides the City of Saskatoon with a framework for developing and implementing an immigration action plan. It also provides guidance on what the city can do on its own and what it needs to do in partnership with other governments and stakeholders.

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement. For 2008–09, Saskatchewan will be receiving more than $5.5 million in basic settlement funding, an increase of more than $1.5 million over the previous year.

Newcomers can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and paraprofessional counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR NEWCOMERS

Niagara Falls, March 27, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced that the Government of Canada will increase funding for language training for new immigrants in Ontario.

Over the coming year, $150 million will be invested in two key language training programs: the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program and the Enhanced Language Training program. This is an increase from the $143 million committed over the past year.

“Language skill is one of the keys to the new immigrant’s success,” said Minister Finley. “Training is key and the professionals who work in this field are some of the best. We’re very pleased to support their work to help newcomers succeed in Ontario. Their success is our success.”

The Minister made the announcement during a keynote address delivered at a conference entitled “Moving Forward Together: Higher Level Language Learning.” Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), this is the first conference planned jointly with the Province of Ontario to discuss language training programs and how they can be improved. The conference brings together service providers, professionals, and federal and provincial officials.

Language training is one of several settlement services funded by the federal government to help immigrants integrate into their new communities. These services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program.

Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

In addition to language training, CIC funds a number of other programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs, delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations, include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services, and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR YOUTH INITIATIVES AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES IN TORONTO

Toronto, March 26, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for 19 organizations to deliver settlement services for youth in schools, libraries and community centres across Toronto.

The funding, of more than $36 million, will help newcomer youths and their families access settlement services throughout the city and in high needs neighbourhoods. These services include innovative programs such as mentorships and peer engagement through sports and the arts. This is the first year that settlement funding has been specifically targeted to help newcomer youth, including youth at risk.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Young people who are new to this country face their own unique challenges. With this funding, newcomers in Toronto will have access to improved services in their schools, libraries and community centres. These services will ease their transition to life in Canada and strengthen Toronto and the community as a whole.”  

The settlement services are being delivered in partnership with immigrant serving organizations, Toronto school boards and the Toronto Public Library. The libraries partnership, launched as a pilot in 2006, is being expanded with this funding since many newcomers go to libraries to access computers and the Internet to search for training programs and job opportunities. With this funding, 75 settlement workers will be placed in libraries and 148 settlement workers will be placed in schools.

“The new funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada will allow us to provide quality settlement services for newcomer youth and their families,” said Jehad Aliweiwi, Executive Director of Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office in Toronto. “The funding, provided under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, signals the commitment of the Government of Canada to help immigrants successfully integrate into Canadian society.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under COIA, Citizenship and Immigration Canada works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.  In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counseling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Government of Canada announces funding to help francophone newcomers settle across Ontario

Ottawa, March 20, 2008 — Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today observed the International Day of La Francophonie by announcing funding for eight organizations to provide settlement services to immigrants in French in Ontario.

The announcement was made on the International Day of La Francophonie, a day that highlights the importance of promoting the diversity of languages and the richness of the French culture in the world.

The funding of more than $7.4 million will help provide settlement services for an estimated 1,500 French-speaking newcomers. These services include language training, orientation, translation, referrals to community resources, counselling and child-minding. Funding will also go toward research, coordination and outreach projects that support the settlement of Francophone immigrants in Ontario.

“For a new immigrant, language can be one of the most challenging barriers to overcome,” said Minister Finley. “This new funding will ensure that Francophone immigrants in Ontario have access to the support they need in a language they understand.”

“Our government supports the Franco-Ontarian community and we want to help the community grow and attract French-speaking newcomers to Ontario,” said Pierre Lemieux. “Settlement funding and programs allow newcomers to contribute to the visibility and vitality of official-language minority communities.”

Andrée Lortie, president of La Cité collégiale, was delighted with the announcement.
“This investment is great news for newcomers and for Ontario’s Francophone community. Knowledge of the language and finding a good job are keys to successful integration,” she said. “With the training that La Cité collégiale offers, newcomers will be able to learn new skills and contribute fully to the economy of the region and the province as a whole.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is committed to supporting the vitality of francophone minority communities. In keeping with its Strategic Plan to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities, CIC is working with partners to develop pilot projects to foster immigration to Francophone minority communities. The five-year plan, announced in September 2006, is aimed at attracting a greater number of French-speaking immigrants to regions outside Quebec, improving the capacity of francophone minority communities to receive francophone newcomers, and facilitating the integration of newcomers.

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under COIA, Citizenship and Immigration Canada works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counseling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

This year also marks Québec City’s 400th anniversary. This is a historic event for Canada and for North America. It is from this date that we truly started to become what we are today. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute $110 million to the celebration and to partner in the organization of this event, because the founding of Québec also marks the founding of Canada.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO AFGHAN ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP NEWCOMERS IN TORONTO

Toronto, March 18, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the Afghan Association of Ontario and the Afghan Women’s Counseling and Integration Community Support Organization to help newcomers settle and integrate in the Greater Toronto Area.

The funding, totalling $4,169,211, will go toward the hiring of 18 staff and will help an estimated 5,500 newcomers access settlement services, including language training, assistance in finding a job and child-minding services for parents who participate in language training or other courses.

“Our government supports the Afghani community in Canada and we’re proud to help both of these organizations,” said Minister Finley. “This funding will give newcomers access to a variety of services, including the opportunity to participate in job-search workshops. The provision of occasional child-minding services means that even parents of young children can participate. The success of these families will strengthen our community and our country as a whole.”

“With the new funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we will be better equipped to provide essential settlement and integration services to newcomers,” said Jamal Kakar, Executive Director of the Afghan Association of Ontario. “These services will help newcomers gain a sense of belonging in both their own communities and in Canadian society.”

The Afghan Association of Ontario has been providing settlement services to newcomers, including seniors, women and youth, for 25 years. The Afghan Women’s Counseling and Integration Community Support Organization has been serving Afghan women and their families for 17 years.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

Settlement services are an important part of a successful immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service providers and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training to adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

AMENDMENTS TO MODERNIZE THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

One of the challenges facing our immigration system today is the large number of people waiting in the queue. This is especially a problem in the skilled worker category which makes up most of the backlog.

Under the proposed measures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers.

The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing a range of labour market needs. It will not apply to refugees and does not affect our objectives related to family reunification.

Ultimately, this will result in reduced wait times and improved service. It will also help manage the growth of the backlog of applications.  

Once passed, the new measures will apply to applications received on or after February 27, 2008.

Those who applied prior to February 27, 2008, will not be subject to the new measures and will be dealt with fairly under the existing rules.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ADMITS HIGHEST NUMBER OF NEWCOMERS IN CANADA¡¯S HISTORY

Ottawa, March 14, 2008 — Canada accepted the highest number of temporary and permanent residents in its history last year, according to preliminary data released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) today.

“These numbers show that our immigration program is responding to Canada’s needs, particularly our economic needs,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Labour shortages are being felt in sectors across the country. Immigration is helping to meet labour demands and to ensure industries are able to remain competitive in the global economy.”

In 2007, Canada admitted 429,649 permanent residents, temporary foreign workers and foreign students. This number is more than 60,000 higher than it was just four years ago.

“As immigration becomes increasingly important in supporting Canada’s growth, we are bringing in people with the right mix of skills to address both short and long-term labour market needs,” Minister Finley added. “At the same time, we must also help ensure the success of immigrants by helping them settle and integrate into Canadian society.”

Canada’s fast growing economy means labour demands will also continue to grow in the next few years. The most recent Census indicates that in the past five years, Canada’s population grew by 1.6 million—with 1.1 million being the result of immigration. By 2012, immigration is expected to account for all net growth in our labour force.

Last year, Canada admitted more temporary foreign workers than in recent years to respond to the labour market needs of Canada’s economy. A 12 percent increase in the number of temporary foreign workers accounts for much of the increase in the overall number of temporary and permanent residents admitted in 2007. The statistics also show a 4.6 percent increase in the number of foreign students admitted in 2007.

Over 251,000 permanent resident visas were issued, which is within the target range of 240,000 to 265,000. Only 236,689 visa holders had arrived in Canada by year’s end. CIC controls when visas are issued, it does not control when people use them. Permanent residents may decide to use their visa at any time during the period it is valid.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO HELP IMMIGRANTS SETTLE IN THE OTTAWA AREA

Ottawa, March 10, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for six organizations to deliver settlement services to newcomers in Ottawa and the surrounding area.

The new funding, totalling more than $10 million, will help more than 1,300 newcomers access settlement services, including language training, counselling and help finding a job.

“Our government supports newcomers and we want to help them succeed,” said Minister Finley. “The services provided by this funding, such as job-search workshops, will allow newcomers to improve their skills and better prepare for their new lives in Canada. Their success will strengthen the community of Ottawa and Canada as a whole.”

“The partnership between Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the local agencies serving immigrants in Ottawa is of tremendous benefit to our community,” said Carl Nicholson, Executive Director of the Catholic Immigration Centre, Ottawa. “The Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA) is providing us with opportunities to develop and implement innovative programs, giving newcomers a head start to settle and begin contributing quickly to our community.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the COIA, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they