Speaking Points
for
the Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
to announce the
Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot
at S.U.C.C.E.S.S.British Columbia
February 22, 2012
Vancouver, BC
Check against delivery
Thank you for that kind introduction.
And thank you to S.U.C.C.E.S.S for everything you do to help immigrants integrate both socially and economically here in the Vancouver area.
Because of the work you do, you are closer than most people to the transformation that is taking place in our society.
The results of the 2011 census, which were recently released, are showing us just how quickly our country is changing.
Since the last census in 2006, our population has grown by almost 2 million people. And here’s the really startling fact: two-thirds of those people were immigrants.
By 2031, it’s estimated that immigrants will account for more than 80% of Canada’s overall population growth.
And they are moving to cities in the West, such as Vancouver, for good reasons.
They are going where the jobs are.
Newcomers are increasingly important to our economy, especially here in the west where there are labour shortages in many industries.
Internationally trained professionals, including skilled immigrants and Canadians with international training or education, make an important contribution to Canada’s job market and economy.
We have to tap into their potential.
Today, I’m going to talk about a new project to help skilled workers with international training get better jobs and a better standard of living for their families.
When I talk about ‘better’ jobs, I mean jobs where they can really use their skills and experience.
And that’s not always easy.
Too many Canadians with international training are doing jobs that are far below their real abilities.
Why?
Because they have a hard time getting their credentials recognized.
Many of them, for example, have to go through further training, examinations or re-certification.
And that comes with a hefty price tag.
Our Government’s top priority was and remains job creation and economic growth.
In the Economic Action Plan, we made a commitment to help internationally trained professionals cover the costs of having their credentials recognized.
Today, we are delivering on that commitment.
I’m proud to announce that our government is investing $18 million in a three-year Foreign Credential Recognition Loans pilot project.
Let me describe a situation that is certainly familiar to you at S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
The reality is that some internationally-trained professionals can only get work in casual, low-paid jobs.
On what they earn, some may barely be able to provide for their families. Paying for tuition may be out of the question.
And they can’t borrow money because they have no credit rating in Canada.
A small loan can make a world of difference to a new immigrant— or a Canadian who’s recently graduated from an international education program.
It can reduce some of the financial barriers that get in the way of obtaining Canadian credentials and a licence to work in their fields.
The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans pilot that I’m announcing today will be delivered through partnerships between the federal government and community organizations.
For instance, our Government is investing in S.U.C.C.E.S.S to provide financial assistance to internationally trained workers who need help paying for licensing exams, required training or skills upgrading.
In addition, S.U.C.C.E.S.S will help internationally trained workers with career planning, credential assessment services and applications for professional licenses.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S is one of several partners in the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot.
Similar projects are also being announced today with WIL Employment Connections inOntarioand the Immigrant Access Fund in Saskatchewan. Combined, these projects are expected to help close to 600 internationally trained professionals.
In the coming months, we will be announcing other projects with selected organizations across the country.
We are also working towards agreements in Manitoba, Alberta, and New Brunswick and have started exploring options in Nova Scotia and Quebec.
These pilot projects are part of a larger strategy to help internationally trained professionals succeed in Canada.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government invested $50 million to work with the provinces and territories and key stakeholders to improve foreign credential recognition.
This partnership led to the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
Under the Framework, we’ve worked in partnership to speed up foreign credential recognition for priority occupations.
I’m proud to say that workers in these key occupations can now expect to have their qualifications assessed within one year.
The one-year service standard applies across the country.
This is a great achievement.
We are making real progress toward a fairer, more transparent, timely and consistent system.
Creating more opportunities for internationally trained workers will bring them —and ultimately, all of us—a better standard of living.
That’s why we are working in partnership with organization like S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to help them find meaningful work that contributes to Canada’s overall prosperity.
And that’s the essence of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. More choices. More opportunities. A better future for all.
In all our endeavours to give newcomers to Canada a better future, my department works in close partnership with our good friends at Citizenship and Immigration.
Therefore, it is my great pleasure to turn over the floor to my esteemed colleague, the Honourable Member for Calgary Southeast, and Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism: Mr. Jason Kenney…..
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