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 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.
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 Ottawa-area organizations is offered under the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling 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 the community.
For more information on CIC's programs, consult our website at Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Lonny Kates
Communications
Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868
