Ottawa, September 2, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced support for Nunavut’s efforts to attract immigrants.
Funding of more than $600,000 will be provided over a three-year period. This will go toward enhancing online content, tools and services that will promote the territory as a destination and help immigrants integrate once they arrive. The funding can also be used for consultation and outreach.
“Immigration is a source of growth and prosperity across the country, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping Nunavut attract newcomers to the territory,” said Minister Finley. “The federal government’s support will enable Nunavut to offer more services and information that will promote the territory as a destination for immigrants, and help them settle once they arrive.”
With this funding, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $20.9 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 last year.
“Immigration and the successful integration of newcomers are priorities for Nunavut,” said the Honourable Ed Picco, Minister Responsible for Immigration. “ This funding will help us develop new and innovative ways to connect immigrants as early as possible to the resources and services they need to make a successful transition to their new homes in Nunavut.”
In addition to Nunavut, contribution agreements have also been signed with Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, 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.
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 Canada offering in-person services to newcomers, including three in Nunavut.
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
Laurie-Anne White
Executive Assistant to Hon. Ed Picco
Minister Responsible for Immigration
867-975-5003
