Regina, December 18, 2007 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced support for Saskatchewan in the province’s efforts to attract immigrants.
Funding of up to $660,000 will be provided over a three-year period. This will go toward enhancing online content, tools and services that will promote the province as a destination and help immigrants integrate once they arrive. The funding can also be used for consultation and outreach. As the project develops, Saskatchewan will consider how best to work with municipalities to help improve information at the local level.
“Immigration is a source of growth and prosperity across the country, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping Saskatchewan attract newcomers to the province,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “The federal government’s support will enable Saskatchewan to offer more services and information that will promote the province as a destination for immigrants, and help them settle once they arrive.”
With this funding, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $20.3 million for provinces and territories to enhance online information and services about settling and working across the country. Funding for a number of provinces and territories was announced earlier this year.
“Immigration and the successful integration of newcomers are priorities for Saskatchewan’s new government,” said the Honourable Rob Norris, Minister Responsible for Immigration. “The funding for this initiative will help us develop new and innovative ways to more aggressively market all the tremendous jobs and great opportunities for families here in Saskatchewan. It will also help us to connect immigrants as early as possible to the resources and services they need to make a successful transition to their new homes in Saskatchewan.”
In addition to Saskatchewan, contribution agreements have also been signed with Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories to develop online services. Under existing federal-provincial immigration agreements, British Columbia and Manitoba have also received funding to help them improve the provision of online information for prospective immigrants and newcomers.
Provincial and territorial portals will link to the government’s Going to Canada immigration portal (www.goingtocanada.gc.ca), which provides online information and services to help immigrants make informed decisions about coming to Canada, and assists them in their integration and settlement once they arrive.
In addition to this funding, the Government of Canada is also investing more than $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to help newcomers succeed.
In May 2007, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office was also launched. Foreign credential referral services are now available in 320 Service Canada centres across Canada, including 11 in Saskatchewan. These services are helping prospective immigrants get the information they need on the foreign credential recognition process and the Canadian labour market.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Karen Shadd-Evelyn
Spokesperson, Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
