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.
For more information on CIC's programs, consult our website at www.cic.gc.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Madona Mokbel
Communications
Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868
