Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - August 2008
The Canadian Government, along with the Ontario Provincial Government, has announced plans to provide over $10 million in funds to resettlement programs in the province. Together, they plan to initiate 12 new language and employment programs in Toronto, while Thunder Bay is set to receive $2 million in funding to help newcomers in the northern regions of the province.
The two governments have signed an agreement that will bring over $900 million in resettlement funding to the province of Ontario over five years.
“The organizations we are funding today work with highly skilled professionals, teaching them the language skills they need to compete in the Canadian labour market,” said Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley as she stressed the importance of resettlement programs to not only the immigrants they serve, but also to the community at large.
“The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association is privileged to serve newcomers to Northwestern Ontario as they learn the language, establish themselves and become active members of their communities,” said Cathy Woodbeck, director of the Association. “The funding provided by the federal government is an investment in our newcomers, our communities and our future.”
While making the announcement, the Government reiterated the importance of foreign credential recognition when it comes to the integration of new arrivals. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), established in 2007, is intended to ease this process for skilled professionals trained abroad. They currently have set up over 300 centres across Canada.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
