April 13, 2015 — Ottawa — Many immigrants will arrive in Canada better prepared to integrate into their new communities as a result of expanded pre-arrival services. Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, today announced that $24 million will be committed toward providing newcomers with greater access to information and services before they leave their countries of origin.
This funding will be accessed through partner organizations to help immigrants and refugees arrive better prepared to settle across Canada. Orientation sessions overseas will enable newcomers to gain a better understanding of life in Canada, how to use their skills in the Canadian labour market and make connections earlier with service provider organizations, professional associations, regulators, educational institutions and employers.
The organizations that will be funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to deliver pre-arrival services will also be working closely with domestic settlement provider organizations to ensure seamless program delivery.
Settlement services aim to provide newcomers with the information they require to make informed decisions, language skills to achieve their integration goals, labour market services to find and retain employment, as well as community supports to build professional and personal networks.
The government continues to provide a high level of support for the settlement and integration of newcomers to ensure that all have access to the same level of services regardless of where they choose to settle.
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
