| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
The Government of Canada committed to resettling 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016. To support that effort, the Government announced in November 2015 that it would invest up to $678 million over six years toward expediting the resettlement of Syrian refugees and ensuring integration support for them. In addition, the Government contributed $100 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries, including the identification of refugees.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
As processing of Syrian refugee cases continues, to date, Canada has welcomed 27,190 Syrian refugees as part of the #WelcomeRefugees initiative (from November 4, 2015, to May 15, 2016).
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has partnered with Hire Immigrants Ottawa to recognize private businesses that successfully support the integration of refugees into Canada's labour market. Based on nominations from service provider organizations, three businesses have been awarded the 2016 Employer Award for Refugee Employment.
When refugees are resettled to Canada, the Government of Canada and partner organizations attempt to resettle them in communities where there is a demand for the skills and work experience they bring. While employment opportunities vary depending on regional and national economic fluctuations, efforts are made to help connect refugees with potential employers.
These awards recognize the significant contribution of employers to support the integration of refugees and hope to encourage other employers to do the same. Helping refugees with employment gives them an opportunity to better integrate into society and to contribute to the Canadian economy.
About the winners
Cinnaroll Bakeries Ltd. (Calgary, Alberta) - nominated by Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
• Established 28 years ago, Cinnaroll Bakeries Ltd. employs 110 people directly with an additional 100 employees hired through Canadian franchise partners.
• Since December 2012, Cinnaroll Bakeries Ltd. has been partnering with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society to better understand the obstacles faced by refugees upon entering the work force. Their staff supervisors take extra time and consideration when training employees who were formerly refugees. Cinnaroll Bakeries Ltd. also provides supports for transportation and arranges flexible work schedules to allow for language and skills training.
• Since 2012, Cinnaroll Bakeries Ltd. has hired 41 newcomers referred from the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, including 15 refugees.
Highline Mushrooms (Leamington, Ontario) - nominated by the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County
• Founded in 1961, Highline Mushrooms employs 1,250 employees across four facilities in Ontario as well as a distribution centre in Montreal.
• Highline Mushrooms hires refugees and provides interpretation services during the interview process. Before being hired, refugees are offered opportunities to job shadow other employees from the same community and to try the tasks, which has resulted in reduced turnover rates once candidates are hired. Highline offers transportation subsidies and scholarships to attend post-secondary education and summer jobs for children of employees.
• In March 2015, Highline Mushrooms hosted a career pathway session for refugees, and hired seven of the 25 government-assisted refugees who attended the session.
Prince George Hotel (Halifax, Nova Scotia) - nominated by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
• Established in 1986, the Prince George Hotel has over 200 rooms.
• The Prince George Hotel hires refugee clients of the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia for positions, including room attendants, kitchen staff and front desk agents. The hotel hires refugees with a range of language abilities (including beginner English language skills).
• The Prince George Hotel was one of the first companies in Halifax to offer workplace education, specifically English language training, for new employees. The company has hired refugees from many countries including Colombia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Vietnam.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
Canada will welcome between 280,000 and 305,000 (target 300,000) new permanent residents in 2016. The plan supports family reunification, reductions in application processing times, responds to economic needs and allows the government to meet humanitarian objectives.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
Authority to revoke citizenship for certain acts against the national interest of Canada. These grounds include convictions of terrorism, high treason, treason or spying offences, depending on the sentence received, or for membership in an armed force or organized armed group engaged in armed conflict with Canada.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act was introduced today. The changes in the proposed legislation would provide greater flexibility for applicants trying to meet the requirements for citizenship, and help immigrants obtain citizenship faster.They would also repeal provisions of the Citizenship Act that allow citizenship to be revoked from dual citizens who engage in certain acts against the national interest.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
The Blended Visa Office-Referred program matches refugees identified for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency with private sponsors in Canada. The Government of Canada will provide up to six months of income support, while private sponsors will provide another six months of financial support and up to a year of social and emotional support.
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
| backgrounders
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is launching a process to expand the current network of communities across Canada that can provide the supports and services necessary to resettle Syrian refugees and other newcomers in the future.
