CALGARY, ALBERTA, JUNE 29, 2010—A project led by the Coalition for Equal Access to Education, and sponsored by the Government of Canada, will help children from low-income immigrant families improve academically and better adapt to their new environment.
Mr. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Calgary East, made the announcement today, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Families are the building blocks of our society, and the Government of Canada partners with the provinces and territories, the private sector and not-for-profit organizations to help families achieve their aspirations for a better and stronger future,” said Mr. ;Obhrai. “Through this project, the Coalition for Equal Access to Education will support children from low-income immigrant families in Calgary by providing community−based academic activities, mentorship and arts−based activities.”
The Government of Canada, through the Children and Families component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, will contribute $600,000 towards the project. This year, the Government of Canada provided more than $17 million for 37 ;projects across Canada under the Social Development Partnerships Program. Through the Program, the Government supports community not-for-profit organizations in the development of innovative solutions and the sharing of knowledge that will benefit children, families and communities.
“There is a need for comprehensive support to immigrant families, especially those with socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds,” says Executive Director, Eunice Mahama. “This project enables the Coalition for Equal Access to Education to work with immigrant families, the community, service providers and institutions to facilitate academic success and be responsive to the needs of immigrant children, youth and their families.”
In addition to providing funding under the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada transfers more than $1.1 billion annually to the provinces and territories to support early childhood development and child care, including $250 million a year to create new child care spaces.
Other federal investments for families and children include the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement for low-income families, the Child Disability Benefit, the Universal Child Care Benefit, the Child Care ExpenseDeductionanda non-refundable child tax credit.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan improved the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Canada Child Tax Benefit by making them available to more families.
For more information about the Social Development Partnerships Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families component
The Children and Families component of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program helps to improve the lives of children and families across the country by investing in organizations that support the well-being of Canadians. Projects range from developing a better understanding of the issues Canadians face, to providing greater access to information, programs and services.
Together with the funding available through the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the funding allocated under the Children and Families component demonstrates that individuals, families and communities continue to be a priority of the Government of Canada.
The 2009 Call for Proposals for the Children and Families component had three priorities:
- supporting families with children: initiatives that help families to promote well-being, maximize potential and develop productive citizens;
- caregiving over the life course: supporting families caring for elderly or disabled family members while managing work/other responsibilities; and
- strengthening not-for-profit organizations: developing and sharing best practices and innovative business models/approaches to strengthen organizational resiliency during the current economic crisis.
