Peterborough, September 25, 2009 — Immigrants in Peterborough will have improved access to services to help them successfully integrate into their communities as a result of a new Local Immigration Partnership initiative.
The announcement was made by Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro and New Canadians Centre Peterborough Executive Director Ziysah D. Markson.
The New Canadians Centre Peterborough will receive $164,584 in Government of Canada funding for the initiative, which includes the establishment of a local partnership council. This council will develop a settlement strategy to identify delivery models, initiatives and projects tailored to assist newcomers. It will be comprised of municipal representatives, employers, school boards and settlement and social service agencies. Peterborough has welcomed approximately 1,380 newcomers over the past 10 years.
“This initiative will enhance the community’s ability to help newcomers integrate,” said MP Del Mastro, on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “Improving access to services that make the integration process easier will benefit not only newcomers, but communities across Ontario.”
The funding is being provided through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, a partnership between Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Almost $3 million will be allocated to municipalities and service provider organizations across Ontario to establish the partnerships.
“Newcomers are important to Ontario’s economic and social prosperity,” said Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, on behalf of Provincial Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan. “Helping our newcomers succeed here in Peterborough is a good investment for all Ontarians.”
“With support from the Government of Canada, financed through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, we’ll be able to develop a community strategy to facilitate the meaningful and successful integration of immigrants in the Peterborough area,” said Ms. Markson.
Settlement services are an essential part of the Government of Canada’s immigration program. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has substantially increased funding to support settlement programs and services. An additional $1.4 billion is being invested over a five-year period in all provinces and territories outside Quebec, which has responsibility for settlement services through the Canada-Quebec Accord. Increasing the uptake of immigrant settlement programs was identified as a government priority in the 2008 Speech from the Throne.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories, service-providing organizations and other stakeholders.
For more information, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website at www.cic.gc.ca or the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s website at www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca
Ian Darragh
Communications Branch, Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868
Coralie D’Souza
Minister’s Office
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
416-325-6204
Hajni Hos
New Canadians Centre Peterborough
(705) 743-0882 ext 230
hajni@nccpeterborough.ca
