Ottawa, December 22, 2008 — The Government of Canada is keeping its promise in the Speech from the Throne to work with the provinces and territories to increase the uptake of immigrant settlement programs. Provinces and territories outside of Ontario and Quebec will be allocated more than $240 million in federal funding next year to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, announced today.

“This annual support shows our government’s continuing commitment to help the development and continuation of important programs and services that can make a real difference in the lives of newcomers to Canada,” said Minister Kenney. “Programs, such as language training, job search and employment services, help newcomers integrate and succeed in Canada. As newcomers become productive and contributing members of the community, their success is Canada’s success.”

The funding represents an increase of over $40 million, or more than 20 percent from 2008-09. Funding for the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are provided for in separate bilateral agreements. (See backgrounder for a breakdown of the provincial and territorial settlement funding allocations outside of Quebec and Ontario.)

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.

This includes programs and services to support newcomers in a variety of ways by providing: language training so they have the language skills to function in Canada; the information they need to better understand life in Canada and make informed decisions about their settlement experience; the required assistance to find employment commensurate with their skills and education; and help to establish networks and contacts so they are engaged and feel welcomed in their communities

Ottawa, December 15, 2008 — Professionals seeking to work temporarily in Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can now receive work permits for up to three years, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, announced today. Previously, NAFTA workers were required to renew their work permit every 12 months.

“NAFTA work permits are an excellent option for North American professionals seeking to work in Canada including lawyers, doctors, dentists and teachers. In addition, this will also help Canadian employers remain competitive by ensuring they have access to necessary skilled labour,” said Minister Kenney.

“This extension, along with our Action Plan for Faster Immigration, will greatly benefit the Canadian economy by helping ensure greater continuity and stability for both employers and workers,” continued Minister Kenney. “In a time of economic uncertainty, highly skilled migrants encourage innovation and economic growth, making us more competitive economically.”

By easing the administrative requirements, employers can now be more confident that they will have access to the skilled labour they need for a longer period. The change matches the United States’ new rules on issuance of Trade NAFTA (TN) work visas to Canadian and Mexican professionals under NAFTA.

All three NAFTA countries (Canada, the United States and Mexico) recognize that greater work force mobility in North America, within certain professions, has net economic benefits.

Since Confederation, immigration has played a key role in the growth of this country, with more than 15 million people from every corner of the world coming to Canada in search of opportunity, refuge and hope. They are attracted to this nation’s values rooted in freedom, respect and hard work.

Canada is now home to its highest proportion of immigrants in over 75 years. The latest census reports that between 2001 and 2006, Canada’s population grew by 1.6 million persons, 1.1 million of whom were immigrants.

One of the key priorities for the Department is making our immigration system more responsive to labour market needs. The success of Canada’s immigration plan depends on attracting the right people to where they are needed and where they and their families will find opportunity.

We are seeing substantial growth in the demand for temporary foreign workers when Canadians can’t be found to fill jobs. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is an important tool to help employers respond to regional labour and skills shortages. We will continue to look for ways to make it more efficient for employers to get the people they need. We will also work with our partners to ensure that employers are meeting their commitments to workers, and that workers are aware of their rights.

Foreign students and temporary foreign workers often demonstrate that they have the skills and experience to succeed in our economy and our society. To take advantage of that, we announced the Canadian Experience Class in the last budget. This new immigration stream will allow certain skilled temporary foreign workers and international students with Canadian degrees and work experience to apply for permanent resident status without leaving the country.

We are working more closely with the provinces and territories to help them get the newcomers who meet their specific regional needs. Many of them are expanding their use of the Provincial Nominee Program to meet that goal.

The large number of people waiting to come to Canada is evidence that our country is a destination of choice for immigrants. But the number has grown to the point where people are waiting too long, and this is hurting our ability to attract the best and the brightest. The backlog has been building for a long while and reducing it will take time, but we must begin to address the problem.

Our Government is committed to making it easier for newcomers and their families to succeed. We have substantially increased funding for settlement services, committing over $1.4 billion in settlement funding over five years. This money is now being used to help immigrants improve their language skills, find jobs, or get referrals to community resources and counseling services.

As part of the international community, and in keeping with our humanitarian tradition, Canada will continue to use the refugee resettlement program to offer protection to those refugees most in need. We will continue to strengthen partnerships at home and abroad in order to contribute to finding durable solutions for more refugees, including those who have been in a refugee situation for a prolonged period.

At home, Canada’s asylum system is held up by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a model for the world. We will look at ways to make it more efficient and to focus resources on those who truly need protection, while at the same time protecting the safety and security of Canadians.

The ultimate goal of our Immigration Program is citizenship. Citizenship sets a solid foundation for newcomers by promoting a shared national identity, a sense of belonging, loyalty and attachment to Canada, as well as rights and obligations. Through broad amendments to the Citizenship Act, we are taking action to fix past citizenship problems, to recognize Canadian citizens and to protect the value of Canadian citizenship for the future.

The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Ottawa, September 5, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced that certain temporary foreign workers and students can start applying for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class starting September 17, 2008.

“With the Canadian Experience Class fully in place, Canada will be more competitive in attracting and retaining individuals with the skills we need,” said Minister Finley. “It, along with other recent improvements to modernize the immigration system, will go a long way in bringing Canada in line with its global competitors while further spreading the benefits of immigration into smaller centres across Canada.”

The Canadian Experience Class is a new avenue of immigration for certain temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with professional, managerial and skilled work experience. Unlike other programs, the Canadian Experience Class allows an applicant’s experience in Canada to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.

The final implementation of the Canadian Experience Class reflects what wasproposed on August 9, 2008. The main difference is that those who have left Canada, but otherwise meet the requirements as workers or graduates, will be eligible to apply provided they do so within one year of leaving their job in Canada. Under the proposal, CIC had suggested that applicants would be required to have temporary resident status and be present in Canada to be eligible to apply. The Government of Canada has since chosen to cast a wider net to avoid missing those with the Canadian experience we want, through residency restrictions.

The final regulations for the Canadian Experience Class will be published in the Canada Gazette.

Pickering, September 5, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help six organizations in Durham Region deliver settlement services to an estimated 2,400 newcomers in the community.

The funding of almost $6 million will go to the Community Development Council Durham, Northern Lights Canada, the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham, the Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre, Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. These organizations deliver a number of settlement services for newcomers including: referrals to community resources, advice and guidance, language assessment, language training, general information, and help finding a job.

A portion of this funding will go towards a youth mentorship program which pairs Canadian youth with newcomer youth to help the new arrivals adapt to the Canadian educational system. Newcomers will also be offered workshops on how to prepare resumés and find suitable employment.

“The Government of Canada wants newcomers to succeed,” said Minister Finley. “This funding will give them the support they need to settle into the Durham community. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion in settlement funding over five years to help newcomers integrate and succeed in Canadian society.”

“Our area has become more diverse in recent years as more newcomers are calling Durham Region their home,” said Tracey Vaughan, Executive Director of Community Development Council Durham in Ajax. “With the new funding and unwavering support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we will be able to provide newcomers with settlement services so they can become active participants in their communities.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the Province of Ontario and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

The 2008 Budget also introduced changes to modernize the immigration system, to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this system, newcomers will arrive with the skills required to integrate more quickly into the enconomy. In this way, newcomers will have more opportunities to find work sooner in the fields for which they have been trained and to benefit more from life in Canada for themselves and their families.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations

Moose Jaw, August 21, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council deliver settlement services to newcomers in Moose Jaw.

New funding of $390,434, covering the period from April 2008 to March 2009, is expected to help 100 newcomers access language and employment services as well as settlement and orientation services.

“Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Minister Finley. “This funding for the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council helps ensure that newcomers continue to get the services and opportunities to successfully settle into this community.”

“The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council appreciates the past and present support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada,” said Tara Blanchard, Executive Director of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council. “Now, more than ever, settlement, language and employment services are crucial to the successful integration of newcomers to Canada.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. For 2008-09, Saskatchewan will be receiving more than $5.5 million in basic settlement funding, an increase of more than $1.5 million over the previous year. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement.

Newcomers can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations.

Moose Jaw, August 21, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council deliver settlement services to newcomers in Moose Jaw.

New funding of $390,434, covering the period from April 2008 to March 2009, is expected to help 100 newcomers access language and employment services as well as settlement and orientation services.

“Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Minister Finley. “This funding for the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council helps ensure that newcomers continue to get the services and opportunities to successfully settle into this community.”

“The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council appreciates the past and present support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada,” said Tara Blanchard, Executive Director of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council. “Now, more than ever, settlement, language and employment services are crucial to the successful integration of newcomers to Canada.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. For 2008-09, Saskatchewan will be receiving more than $5.5 million in basic settlement funding, an increase of more than $1.5 million over the previous year. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement.

Newcomers can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations.

Ottawa, August 15, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, met today with national stakeholders from business, industry, labour and non‑governmental organizations to discuss occupational priorities for immigration purposes.

This national round table was an opportunity to hear from key experts from a national perspective. It was an important element of cross-Canada consultation sessions with provinces, territories and stakeholders, including ethnic and immigrant-serving organizations, over the past month.

Today’s consultations focused on identifying critical occupational shortages in trades and professions across Canada, the role of immigration in responding to them, and any barriers to foreign credential accreditation. This information will help develop instructions for immigration officers on occupations that are identified for priority processing. The ministerial instructions, to be issued this fall, will focus on applications in the federal skilled worker category.

“There are shortages of workers in many professions and trades. These broad consultations with stakeholders have provided us with a picture of the most common and acute pressures across the country, and how immigration can play a role in addressing them,” said Minister Finley. “Our government is committed to helping newcomers and their families succeed when they come to Canada. Their success is our success.”

Following discussions with participants, the Minister emphasized the importance of provincial and territorial initiatives to better recognize foreign credentials in Canada. “We can’t prioritize occupations and professions in demand if there isn’t the necessary support and training available to help newcomers begin work in their chosen fields,” said Minister Finley.

The Minister reiterated that the instructions will not affect refugee protection, nor are they intended to affect the government’s objectives for family reunification. In fact, Canada already gives priority to applications from many family members, such as sponsored spouses and dependants. Eighty percent of these cases are finalized within eight months. “Reuniting families remains a priority for this government,” said Minister Finley. “We need to ensure that Canada continues to balance the needs of our Canadian industries in terms of labour shortages and family reunification for our newcomers.”

As face to face meetings with all stakeholders were not feasible, the public was invited to submit its input online. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) received over 550 submissions. This feedback, along with the input provided during the regional and national round table consultations, will inform the development of the ministerial instructions. Consultations were also held with Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Bank of Canada.

The instructions follow on 2008 budget commitments to modernize the immigration system to respond to Canada’s labour market needs, reduce wait times for new applicants, and reduce the backlog of immigration applications. The budget allocates $109 million over five years to help meet these goals.

With this funding, CIC has begun recording occupational information for applications in the current skilled worker backlog. The Department will be referring applications of interest to the provinces and territories for possible processing under the Provincial Nominee Program. CIC is also working toward increasing capacity and efficiency in missions with the largest backlogs, centralizing the receipt of applications, and reconfirming the intentions of applicants facing the longest wait times.

Do you wish to immigrate as a skilled worker or businesspeople and are a resident of one of the above countries?
As of August 1, 2008, applications for a Certificat de selection du Québec (Québec Selection Certificate) from these countries must be submitted to the Québec immigration office in Hong Kong for processing.

Important information If you submitted an application to the Québec immigration office in Damascus: before August 1, 2008, and your file was subject to a preliminary review or you were interviewed, the review of your file will be finalized in this office. You should therefore send any missing documents to the Québec immigration office in Damascus and inform the office of any change in your file. after August 1, 2008, your file will be transferred to the Québec immigration office in Hong Kong. All applicants concerned will receive a letter informing them that their file has been transferred.

Warsaw, July 14, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today signed an agreement with Poland that allows youth from Canada and Poland to travel and work in the other country for up to one year. After signing, ratification will take place in accordance with Canada’s new policy on the tabling of international treaties in Parliament.

The signing of the Youth Mobility Agreement between Minister Finley and the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, Mme Barbara Kudrycka, follows the announcement made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his visit to Poland in April.

“For more than a century, Poles have migrated to Canada and made great contributions to our country,” said Minister Finley. “More than 800,000 people in Canada trace their roots to Poland. This Youth Mobility Agreement provides young Canadians and young Poles with even greater opportunities to work and travel between our two countries.”

“Our goal is to give Canadian and Polish youth the opportunity to discover new countries and learn about the other culture,” added Minister Finley.

“Canada and Poland have a long standing and strong relationship,” said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs.“ We co-operate in many areas to promote our common values of good governance, democracy and private sector development. The Agreement will serve to actively engage our youth to learn about our respective countries, develop skills for global careers and build networks to ensure an even stronger relationship between Canada and Poland for the future.”

Youth Mobility Arrangements have resulted in more than 22,000 young Canadians choosing to travel and work abroad in approximately 40 countries each year, and 36,000 foreign youth working and travelling in Canada.

The International Youth Programs are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for issuing work permits to participants of the programs.

The signing of the Agreement between Canada and Poland offers people between the ages of 18 and 35 the opportunity to work and travel in each other’s countries. Benefits to participants of the youth programs include cultural discovery, international network building and gaining the skills and work experience to succeed in an increasingly globalized society.

This Agreement is another example of Canada and Poland working together to build a stronger relationship. On March 1, Canada lifted the visa requirement for Poland, allowing Polish citizens to visit Canada for up to six months without a visa.

Overview

The Agreement for Canada‑Prince Edward Island Co‑operation on Immigration is a comprehensive document that establishes a collaborative approach to addressing immigration priorities in the province of Prince Edward Island.

Since jurisdiction over immigration is a shared responsibility, effective collaboration between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories is essential to the successful management of the immigration program. Through this agreement, both orders of government clearly define their respective roles and responsibilities. The agreement also includes an annex on provincial nominees and allows for the negotiation of additional annexes on specific issues, as required.

The agreement and annex have an indefinite duration, reflecting the long‑standing commitment to cooperation and collaboration between the two orders of government with respect to immigration.

Responding to Prince Edward Island’s demographic and labour market needs

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate immigrants who have specific skills that will contribute to the local economy.  Nominees must meet federal admissibility requirements, such as those related to health, criminality and security.

Under the new agreement, there is no longer a limit on the number of immigrants the province can nominate for permanent residence in Prince Edward Island each year. The new PNP will run indefinitely, with the province providing nomination targets for CIC to incorporate in its annual immigration levels planning.

In addition to the PNP, the agreement includes a provision for cooperation between the two governments on the promotion and recruitment of immigrants and temporary residents. A coordinated approach to promotion and recruitment will assist the province in meeting its immigration objectives.

The agreement also recognizes the province’s interest in enhancing the vitality of French linguistic minority communities in its jurisdiction.

Responding to the settlement and integration needs of immigrants and refugees

Prince Edward Island and the federal government have a long history of collaboration in providing settlement and integration services to immigrants in the province.

The new agreement confirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to fair and ongoing funding for settlement services in Prince Edward Island. Canada has also committed to working with Prince Edward Island to help immigrants find work in their chosen professions. To that end, it will cooperate in securing recognition of the foreign credentials of permanent residents and supporting their integration into the labour market.

Halifax, June 27, 2008 — The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced new funding to help an estimated 3,000 immigrants in Nova Scotia.

“Our government believes in immigration, and we are committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Minister MacKay. “Today’s funding announcement is of particular importance to Nova Scotia because immigration is vital to sustaining our province’s communities, our economic growth and our future prosperity.”

The new funding, totalling more than $10.3 million over the next three years, will go to several agencies in the Halifax Regional Municipality to provide settlement services such as language training, counseling and help finding a job.

“We need new Canadians—;and we need to help them settle comfortably in our communities,” Minister MacKay added. “Attracting more immigrants to Nova Scotia will help to counter the declining population trends in our communities and provide our province with skilled workers who can meet the labour market needs of our businesses. New Canadians are the hope of our future and they will return to us so much more than we give.”

The agencies that received funding applauded today’s announcement. “Our YMCA programs help create stronger communities,” said Barbara Miller, Vice President, YMCA Community Outreach & Family Services. “We achieve this by helping immigrants settle in their new communities, as well as by educating members of our Nova Scotia communities about the issues and barriers that newcomers face in adjusting and adapting to a new language, culture, climate and community, while maintaining their own. With our special emphasis on programs for immigrant children/youth and their families, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ensures that we can promote diversity as part of building more inclusive communities.”

“The key to successful integration is language; it provides newcomers with the overall capacity to manage and control all aspects of life,” said Gerry Mills, Executive Director of the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre. “Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s funding will support the language learning goals of newcomers that will ultimately lead to their active participation in the community.”

Halifax Regional School Board Superintendent Carole Olsen also emphasized the importance of language training. “By improving our newcomers’ language proficiency, we give them a step up in finding greater opportunities to find work, and we also help them to become fully engaged in Canadian society,” she said. “We are happy to receive today’s funding, as it will help us to continue to offer our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program.”

Claudette Legault, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association said she was “very pleased to accept this investment in Nova Scotia’s future from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This funding will help ensure that we can continue to provide immigrants with a wide range of services and support to help them in their efforts to settle in Nova Scotia.”

“Through the Host program, we will continue to work with CIC to attract and retain Francophone immigrants to the province of Nova Scotia,” said Jean Léger, Executive Director of la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse. “With the Host program, we match Francophone immigrants with French-speaking volunteers from the area to help them better integrate into the community.”

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 the provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the Halifax-area organizations is offered under the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counseling services. Other programs include Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults, and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in their new community.

The 2008 budget also introduced changes to modernize the immigration system and shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this system, newcomers will arrive with the skills required to integrate more quickly into the economy. In this way, newcomers will have more opportunities to find work sooner in the fields for which they have been trained and to benefit more from life in Canada for themselves and their families.

Newcomers can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

Ottawa, June 26, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that the Department is enhancing the services offered by its visa office in Beirut, Lebanon. Effective immediately, permanent resident applicants from Lebanon can choose to be interviewed by immigration officers in Beirut.

“Citizens of Lebanon deserve to have their visa interviews conducted in their own country,” said Minister Finley. “We are upgrading our services at the visa office in Beirut in order to make it easier for people to complete their application process.”

Until now, permanent resident applicants were required to travel to Damascus, Syria, for an interview since immigrant applications from Lebanon are processed by the visa office in Damascus. The only exception applied to family class applicants who had the choice of being interviewed in either Beirut or Damascus. In such cases, immigration officers would travel from Damascus to Beirut to conduct the interviews.

This new change means that applicants requiring interviews will now have a choice between Beirut, Lebanon and Damascus, Syria.

The Government of Canada is continuously looking at ways to improve services to applicants.

Hamilton, June 20, 2008 — Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help refugees settle and succeed in Hamilton.

Settlement and Integration Services will receive more than $730,000 to assist up to 320 refugees in beginning their lives in Ontario. This is in addition to the more than $14.5 million announced since April for Hamilton-area settlement services, such as language training and assistance in finding a job, which refugees are also able to access.

“Canada is a blessed country, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping those truly in need begin their new lives in Canada,” said Minister Finley. “As we celebrate World Refugee Day, these services will help them along their journey. The hopes and dreams they bring with them will help build a richer and stronger Canada.”

World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20, is an annual opportunity to honour the courage of the millions of refugees and displaced people around the world.

The funding announced today is provided through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which offers financial support and immediate and essential services. These services include help with temporary accommodation, assistance in finding a permanent home, help with such items as banking, managing a household and other everyday tasks, and referrals to federal and provincial programs.

“Refugees need support as they settle in to the community,” said Mr. Wallace.  “That’s why the Government of Canada supports the work of organizations like Settlement and Integration Services, which provide the concrete help that newcomers need.”

“The RAP is an innovative way to successfully settle and integrate government-assisted refugees into their new communities across Canada,” said Morteza Jafarpour, Executive Director of Settlement and Integration Services in Hamilton. “The new RAP funding not only enables us to continue to build on this success, but also to make Canada a leader in the international humanitarian commitment to protect refugee families and children.”

For 2008–09, CIC has set aside $18.5 million under this program to help refugees in Ontario. In total, more than $49 million has been set aside under the RAP to assist in the resettlement of refugees across Canada except in Quebec, which is funded under the Canada-Quebec Accord.

The resettlement services are in addition to settlement services and programs funded by CIC to help all newcomers, including refugees, settle and integrate into their new communities. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Government of Canada has increased funding for these broader settlement services by $920 million over five years. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding in provinces and territories outside Quebec.

Settlement and resettlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. They help immigrants and refugees overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience and are key to supporting their longer term economic and social integration.

Canada resettles 10,000 to 12,000 refugees from overseas every year. This represents 10% of the 100,000 refugees resettled globally. In 2008, Canada will welcome 7,300 to 7,500 government-assisted refugees through the RAP and 3,300 to 4,500 through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

Ottawa, June 20, 2008 — Today, in celebration of World Refugee Day, Canada proudly joins countries around the world in honouring the strength and courage of refugees everywhere.

“Every year, World Refugee Day allows us to recognize the courage of the millions of refugees who have been living in uncertain, difficult conditions, often for long periods of time,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Canada has a long tradition of welcoming those who are in legitimate need of protection and Canadians can be proud of helping so many to rebuild their lives in safety.”

As part of today’s celebrations to mark World Refugee Day, Minister Finley will preside over two citizenship ceremonies in Ottawa and Toronto. Refugees will be among those taking their oath of citizenship.

Canada accepts more than 30,000 refugees every year. This includes those who come to Canada and successfully claim refugee status and refugees living overseas that Canada agrees to resettle. In fact, through its resettlement program, Canada selects 10,000 to 12,000 refugees annually from around the world, making it a global leader in resettlement efforts. These refugees represent 10 percent of the 100,000 refugees who are resettled every year worldwide.

In 2008, Canada announced the resettlement of 1,300 more Karen refugees and up to 2,000 Iraqi refugees. Canada will also resettle up to 5,000 Bhutanese refugees over the next three to five years. Once they are here, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will work closely with settlement service providers, private sponsors and the provinces to deliver the services and supports that will help them adapt to life in Canada.

“Canada is a leading advocate for the protection of refugees around the world,” said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. “Canada is particularly committed to working with the international community to find lasting solutions for refugees who have been living in exile for decades.”

“Canada is concerned with the refugees around the world, who have lost home and community,” said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. “Canada is a strong supporter of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) to support relief efforts, who provides protection and promotes durable solutions. Last year, Canadian funding helped the (UNHCR) to support the voluntary return of more than 365,000 individuals from Pakistan and Iran to their homes in Afghanistan.”

“Refugees are real survivors and deserve our respect for maintaining hope and courage in the face of enormous odds,” said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres. “Through their generous support for the world’s uprooted people, Canadians have shown not only humanitarian concern but a recognition of the enormous contributions that refugees can make to their new communities.”

In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to bring attention to the plight of the world’s refugees and to offer support, encouragement and respect. With this year’s theme of “Protecting Refugees: Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity,” the day is an occasion to celebrate the remarkable determination of refugees who have lived in hardship and who now have a chance to rebuild their lives in security.

Ottawa, June 16, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced two significant changes to the permanent resident card (PR card) application process.

Permanent residents applying to replace a card that is due to expire are no longer required to send in their current valid card with the application. Instead, they now only need to exchange their old card when they pick up the new card in person at a local Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. In addition, applicants for a new or replacement PR card are no longer required to obtain the signature of a guarantor or sign a statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor.

“These changes demonstrate our continued commitment to providing more convenient services to newcomers,” said Minister Finley. “We recognize that people may want to hold on to a valid card for travel purposes while waiting for the replacement. We also understand that newcomers may have difficulty finding a guarantor who has known them for at least two years.”

Allowing permanent residents to keep their valid cards while waiting for a replacement will make it easier for people to travel while their application is being processed.

Previously, permanent residents had to send in their existing PR card when they applied for a replacement. This presented an inconvenience for permanent residents who intended to travel outside Canada while their application was being processed. Permanent residents should still include their PR card with the application for a replacement if it has already expired.

Eliminating the need for a guarantor will simplify the permanent resident card application process without compromising security. For example, CIC can verify an applicant\'s passport, driver’s licence, or employment and educational information to confirm their residence and identity.

The PR card confirms the holder’s permanent resident status in Canada. Permanent residents who travel outside Canada must show the card before boarding commercial transportation (plane, train, boat or bus) to return to Canada. Without a valid PR card, permanent residents would not be allowed to board commercial transportation back to Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada encourages permanent residents to check the expiry date on their PR cards and apply for a new one well before they plan to travel. The PR card was introduced in 2002, and, in most cases, is valid for a five-year period.

Charlottetown, June 13, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development for Prince Edward Island, on behalf of P.E.I.’s Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, today announced the new Agreement for Canada‑Prince Edward Island Co‑operation on Immigration.

The new agreement will make it easier for the province to attract more skilled international workers, to process those applications more quickly and to strengthen its Francophone community.

“The Government of Canada believes in immigration and the signing of today’s new agreement means Prince Edward Island has an immigration agreement that is tailored to the province’s unique needs and priorities,” said Minister Finley. “The focus of the Prince Edward Island agreement is the removal of limits in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), collaboration on overseas marketing initiatives, and the targeted use of the PNP to attract and retain Francophone immigrants. This will ensure that the province is able to select the number of immigrants it needs to meet labour market demands and build a stronger economy.”

“We are very pleased to renew this immigration agreement with the federal government,” said Mr. Campbell. “It gives the province the authority we need to attract new immigrants who will meet gaps in our labour market and help boost our declining population.”

The agreement, which sets out the roles and responsibilities in immigration matters, replaces a previous agreement signed in 2001. It includes several new provisions aimed at keeping pace with Prince Edward Island’s changing economic, social and demographic needs. Specifically, the new agreement means:

• Prince Edward Island will be able to address particular social, demographic, economic development and labour market needs.
• Prince Edward Island will be able to nominate more immigrants possessing the skills needed in the province, for quicker processing by the Government of Canada.
• Prince Edward Island and Canada will work together to share information and to develop and implement strategies to better integrate immigrants into the labour market. This includes improving the process for the recognition of foreign credentials.
• Canada and Prince Edward Island will enhance their cooperation in overseas immigration marketing initiatives, including bringing temporary foreign workers and students to the province.
• There will be increased encouragement for the recruitment and retention of Francophone immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program.

The agreement formalizes and builds on the existing collaborative relationship between Canada and Prince Edward Island on immigration matters, including the delivery of settlement and integration services. It also recognizes the importance of involving community stakeholders, including service providers, municipalities and the private sector, in welcoming newcomers.

Attracting more immigrants to Prince Edward Island will help maintain population levels in the province’s communities and will provide skilled workers who can meet the labour market needs of P.E.I. businesses.

Toronto, June 10, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today underlined the Government’s support for organizations that deliver language training to newcomers.

“The successful integration of newcomers is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “Learning language skills are key to newcomers’ success and language training gives newcomers the tools they need to fully participate in their communities.”

Today at a conference for language training administrators, Mr. Komarnicki praised the important work of professionals who provide language instruction to newcomers. The conference brings together language training professionals that provide language training under the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program.

“Language training professionals play such a critical role in helping newcomers adapt to life not just in Ontario but all across Canada,” Mr. Komarnicki said. “We’re very pleased to support their work to help newcomers succeed. When newcomers succeed, we all succeed.”

Language training is one of several settlement services funded by the federal government to help immigrants integrate into their new communities. These services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Over the coming year, $150 million will be invested in two key language training programs: the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program and the Enhanced Language Training program. This is an increase from the $143 million committed over the past year.

Overall, through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

In addition to language training, CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Toronto, June 2, 2008 — The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will be able to provide enhanced language training to internationally trained environmental engineers in Toronto thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding of more than $58,000 to provide enhanced language training to 40 environmental engineers who were trained abroad.

The training will be delivered as part of the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program, a joint initiative of the TRCA and several other community and professional associations. Engineers who participate in this program are also offered a 12-month full-time job placement with a host organization in the environmental engineering field.

“Language can be one of the most challenging barriers faced by newcomers to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “With this investment, highly skilled environmental engineers in Toronto will have access to the specialized language training they need to work in their field of expertise. Their success is good for Toronto and good for our country as a whole.”

“Thanks to the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can now address the challenges facing internationally trained professionals in finding employment in their field,” said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer of the TRCA. “This new funding allows us to offer services that will increase the communication skills of newcomers, provide better access to professional accreditation, and open doors to the job market.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

The 2008 budget also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system, including shortening the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, provide a better life for themselves and their families and benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the TRCA is provided through the Enhanced Language Training initiative which provides both occupation-specific language training and employability assistance. Other programs include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Toronto, June 2, 2008 — The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will be able to provide enhanced language training to internationally trained environmental engineers in Toronto thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding of more than $58,000 to provide enhanced language training to 40 environmental engineers who were trained abroad.

The training will be delivered as part of the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program, a joint initiative of the TRCA and several other community and professional associations. Engineers who participate in this program are also offered a 12-month full-time job placement with a host organization in the environmental engineering field.

“Language can be one of the most challenging barriers faced by newcomers to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “With this investment, highly skilled environmental engineers in Toronto will have access to the specialized language training they need to work in their field of expertise. Their success is good for Toronto and good for our country as a whole.”

“Thanks to the support of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can now address the challenges facing internationally trained professionals in finding employment in their field,” said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer of the TRCA. “This new funding allows us to offer services that will increase the communication skills of newcomers, provide better access to professional accreditation, and open doors to the job market.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

The 2008 budget also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system, including shortening the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, provide a better life for themselves and their families and benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Funding for the TRCA is provided through the Enhanced Language Training initiative which provides both occupation-specific language training and employability assistance. Other programs include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Welland, May 30, 2008 — Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre to deliver settlement services to immigrants in Welland and the surrounding area.

The funding of almost $700,000 is expected to help newcomers to Canada access a variety of settlement services including language training, referrals to community resources and help finding a job. The funding will also provide for eight child-minding spots so that parents with young children can participate in these programs and a mentorship program that will match newcomers with Canadian volunteers. In total, the funding is expected to help an estimated 180 newcomers integrate into the community.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping immigrants get successfully started in Canada,” said Mr. Dykstra. “This funding will give newcomers in the Welland area access to a number of valuable services, providing the support they need as they integrate into the community.  Their success is good for Welland and good for Canada.”

“The City of Welland has become dramatically more diverse over the past couple of years,” says Claire Masswohl, Executive Director of the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre. “The new funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada will allow us to implement new programs to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, enriching our city as a whole.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years, helping thousands of newcomers to Ontario. Under COIA, Citizenship and Immigration Canada works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Oakville, May 16, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning to deliver settlement services to an estimated 800 immigrants at its campuses in Oakville and Brampton.

The funding of over $5.5 million will go toward a number of services to help newcomers prepare to enter the Canadian labour market, including language training, mentorship and career development programs for internationally trained individuals.

Participants will also enjoy the same privileges as other Sheridan students, such as access to the library, career centres and computer labs.

“Finding a job is one of the most significant challenges facing new immigrants to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “We want newcomers to succeed, and we want to help them find good jobs. Through this funding and the efforts of Sheridan College, newcomers will have the opportunity to develop the skills to find work in their fields. Their success is our success.”

“With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), we can creatively respond to the unique needs of newcomers through new programming designed specifically for internationally trained professionals,” said Joyce Wayne, Director of the Sheridan Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals. “We are very excited to work with CIC to build English language training and post-secondary opportunities for newcomers at Sheridan College. These programs will not only enhance the language capabilities of our immigrants, but will also offer our internationally trained students diplomas and certificates from a recognized college in Canada.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In total, since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding in provinces and territories outside Quebec.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

The more than $8.4 million in funding will help newcomers to Canada access a variety of settlement services in the city including language training, referrals to community resources and help finding a job.

“The Government of Canada wants newcomers to succeed,” said Mr. Albrecht. “This funding will give immigrants in Kitchener-Waterloo access to the support they need as they settle into our community. From language training to help finding a job, the five organizations we are supporting today deliver valuable services to newcomers. Their success is good for Kitchener-Waterloo and good for our country as a whole.”

“We want more newcomers to join us, more to be reunited with families and more to be successful Canadians,” said Minister Finley. “Despite increases in immigration levels, settlement funding had not increased for many years. That’s why we’ve increased funding and it’s having an impact in communities across the country, like Kitchener-Waterloo.”

“Building strong communities now and in the future requires that we discover and maximize the skills potential of all who participate in the economy,” said John Tibbits, President, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. “Conestoga strongly supports the efforts of many community groups towards this end, and we have forged productive partnerships with these groups, because we are all working towards the goal of community development combined with economic progress. The funding announced today by the Government of Canada is welcome news. It encourages all of us to press on with new, effective initiatives.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the Canada Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the Agreement, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

“The FCRO is helping newcomers  to Canada use their talents in the fields for which they’ve been trained,” said Minister Finley. “By helping immigrants find out how to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly, especially before they enter Canada, their chances for success will improve.  That can only be good for Canada and for newcomers.”

Since its launch less than a year ago, the FCRO has established a variety of ways to help newcomers and prospective immigrants find the information they need to put their skills to work in Canada. For example, the 320 Service Canada centres offering in-person foreign credential referral services have helped over 9,000 people and the FCRO website has had over 250,000 visits, the majority from outside Canada. This clearly demonstrates that people are getting information before they arrive in Canada.

The Working in Canada Tool is a key feature of the website. This tool is helping internationally trained individuals find information about the labour market related to their occupation in Canada. This includes information on jobs related to their skills and the city in which they wish to work in Canada, including information on job duties, skill requirements and wage rates for a chosen location in Canada.

In the past year, Minister Finley also visited India where she announced the expansion of overseas orientation sessions to include itinerant services in India and China. Delivered in China, India and the Philippines by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges’ Canadian Immigration Integration Project, these sessions help increase awareness about the credential recognition process in Canada. For the year ahead, the FCRO has plans to enhance its services for newcomers and, in particular, its overseas services for prospective immigrants.

The progress report details the FCRO’s activities, which are aimed at providing authoritative information, path-finding and referral services to newcomers and prospective immigrants. In addition, the report highlights some of the key achievements of the FCRO in its start-up year to address foreign credential recognition with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

The release of the report coincides with the National Conference on Foreign Credential Recognition hosted by the FCRO and the Conference Board of Canada’s Leaders’ Roundtable on Immigration, and taking place on April 22 and 23, 2008, in Calgary, Alberta. The conference is aimed at enhancing coordination on foreign credential recognition and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders from federal, provincial and territorial governments, regulatory bodies, credential assessment agencies, immigrant-serving organizations, business and employer associations and post-secondary educational institutions.

The FCRO is located within Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Its role is to provide authoritative information, path-finding and referral services to internationally trained individuals overseas as early as possible in the immigration process and in Canada. The Office works with Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, other federal partners, the provinces and territories and other stakeholders to strengthen FCR processes in Canada. The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the regulation of skilled trades and some professions.

Effective immediately, and for the first time, these international students would be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer. In addition, the duration of the work permit has been extended to three years across the country. Previously, the program only allowed international students to work for one or two years, depending on location.

“The Government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada and we want to help them succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Open and longer work permits provide international students with more opportunities for Canadian work experience and skills development. This will, in turn, help make Canada a destination of choice, and help us keep international students already studying in Canada.”

The increased flexibility offered by the expanded program will benefit graduates and employers alike as the program will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada’s labour market needs. Canada will benefit in the long run as the professional experience gained will help graduates meet the requirements to stay permanently in Canada.

“As we move toward the implementation of the Canadian Experience Class, these changes will help create a pool of individuals who, with work experience, will find it easier to apply to immigrate to Canada,” added Minister Finley. “Our ability to retain international graduates with Canadian qualifications, work experience and familiarity with Canadian society, will help increase our competitiveness and benefit Canada as a whole.”

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Preliminary 2007 data indicate that 63,673 international students came to Canada that year, representing a 4.6 percent increase over the previous year.

Canada needs a more responsive immigration system where we reduce wait times so that families are reunited faster and skilled workers arrive sooner. That’s why, on March 14, the Government of Canada proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The changes mean that those who submitted an application before February 27, 2008, would continue to be processed under the current system. However, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers. Anyone would still be able to apply, but CIC would no longer be required to process all new skilled worker applications.

Under the proposed changes, the Minister would have the authority to issue instructions to immigration officers on the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. However, as is the case now, the decisions on individual applications would still be made by CIC immigration officers. The Minister cannot reverse these decisions.

The instructions would be made public, and would reflect commitments to provinces and territories. They would be published in the Canada Gazette, reported in the Department’s annual report to Parliament and posted on CIC’s website.

Toronto, April 11, 2008 — Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society (CUIAS) deliver settlement services to nearly 3,000 immigrants in Toronto.

The funding of more than $2.7 million is expected to help newcomers to Canada access settlement services in the city such as referrals to community resources, advice and guidance, translation and interpretation, and group workshops on the Canadian legal, social, health and economic system. This investment will help the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society deliver specialty language training for seniors and higher level language training, with a focus on writing skills.

The contribution will also support a pilot youth program which will include sporting, social, and recreational activities. This will include a new Youth Outreach Worker to provide social services to youth who have been harder to reach, such as Government Assisted Refugees and young people with mental or physical health challenges.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping new families to Canada succeed,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “With this funding, newcomers including youth and senior citizens will have access to specialty services that support their distinct needs. These services will ease their transition to life in Canada and strengthen Toronto and the community as a whole.”

“The new funding will allow our centre to help newcomer families settle in Toronto,” said Eugen Duvalko, President of the Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society. “With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), we can continue to provide a friendly and welcoming environment, while delivering essential settlement services, so that newcomers feel they made the right choice in selecting Canada as their new home. Our agency is proud to be part of the longstanding Canadian tradition of local community initiatives assisting newcomers.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the COIA, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person foreign credential referral services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral services, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Oakville, June 4, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today congratulated graduates of the Halton Multicultural Council’s Enhanced Language Training for Community Policing program, supported by the Halton Regional Police Service.

“When newcomers succeed, we all succeed, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers do well,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “That’s why we are supportive of community efforts such as this one to help newcomers achieve their goals and work in the career of their choice in Canada.”

The program’s seven graduates are newcomers to Canada with a background in law enforcement and security. Graduates completed a demanding 17-week week enhanced-language training program, thanks to the support of the Halton Multicultural Council and the Halton Regional Police Service.  Funding for this program in the amount of $639,969 is provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.

“The Halton Regional Police Service takes great pride in our ability to serve and be a part of a culturally diverse region. We value the partnerships we have developed with our communities and are very proud to be a part of this Enhanced Language Training Community Policing program initiated by the Halton Multicultural Council,” said Halton Regional Police Service Chief Gary Crowell.

Today’s graduation ceremony also marks the third annual Emergency Services Introduction for New Canadians Day. Hosted by the Halton Regional Police Service, this program helps newcomers understand the role of emergency personnel. The program also teaches new Canadians how to access services through 911 in an emergency or through non-emergency channels.

“Starting over in a new country is not easy,” Mr. Komarnicki said. “When they are preparing for a career in emergency services,  they will bring a cultural understanding to the situation, which will be especially helpful for those who are new to this country.”

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referrals to community resources, advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

Budget 2008 also proposes changes to modernize the immigration system and to shorten the time it takes to bring newcomers and their families to Canada. Under this proposed system, instructions would be issued to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, including in relation to the jobs available in Canada, so that people with those skills and experience can be brought to Canada more quickly. With these changes, newcomers could have more opportunities to find work sooner, to provide a better life for themselves and their families and to benefit more from life in Canada.

On Tuesday April 8th, 2008 Mr. Timothee Joly Youndje Feze, director of IMEFAST project will be visiting Cameroon to launch the pilot project of Immigration Easy & Fast.  

IMEFAST a new program design by accredited immigration consultants in cooperation with CIFA, Canadian Immigration Financial Assistance to help and finance qualified potentials immigrants to get their immigration Easy & Fast.

Mr. Feze represents CIH, Canadian Immigration House, will hold several conferences in Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, Dschang and other cities.

Canada actually experience high shortages in manpower, Her Excellency Mrs. Diane Finley, Minister of Immigration announce new measurements for the processing of skilled workers applications.  

Under the proposed measures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers.

The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing a range of labor market needs. 

IMEFAST offers the opportunity to all CIFA Golden Club Members to finance all the government processing fees, consultancy fees and right of landing fees with a loan INTEREST FREE.

Interested Golden Club members can file the application online; they can start the processing of your immigration file right now.

 For more information you can contact Mr.Feze during his stay in Cameroon on his Mobile (237)79 30 36 56

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced that Canada will more than double the number of Convention refugees it receives this year from Iraq.

Canada will welcome between 1,800 and 2,000 Iraqi refugees in 2008, up from approximately 900 in 2007.  The majority will be resettled from Syria and Jordan.

“This year, we are responding to the situation in Iraq by significantly increasing the number of Iraqi refugees we accept,” said Minister Finley. “Consistent with Canada’s longstanding tradition of providing protection to refugees most in need, we will continue to monitor this situation and explore options to further meet resettlement needs with respect to Iraqis.”

Including the Iraqi refugees, Canada is increasing the Middle East resettlement target to 3,300 people this year, which is a 54 percent increase over 2007.  This means that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be allocating almost one third of its global resettlement places to Iraqi and other refugees displaced in the region by war.

This increase builds on Canada’s previous commitment, announced November 19, 2007, to help reunite families affected by the situation in Iraq by expediting processing for immediate family members, parents and grandparents, and orphans who are sponsored by a family member in Canada.

To meet Canada’s commitments for 2008, missions will be considering applications referred to them by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as well as the private sponsorship community.

“Canada has always played an important international role in alleviating and finding solutions to the plight of refugees worldwide.  We are pleased to note that Canada has yet again responded to the UNHCR’s recent appeal to give more places to Iraqi and other refugees from the Middle East,” said Mr. Abraham Abraham, UNHCR Representative in Canada.

The UNHCR is currently in the process of identifying the most vulnerable and those in need of resettlement.  According to the UNHCR, more than two million Iraqis have fled to neighbouring countries in the region, the majority in Syria, Jordan and Egypt.  The UNHCR has asked the international resettlement community to help these neighbouring countries by providing humanitarian assistance and resettling those refugees who are identified as most vulnerable.

Every year, 19 countries from around the world resettle about 100,000 refugees.  From that number, Canada annually resettles 10,000 to 12,000 refugees from 70 different nationalities, or one out of every ten refugees resettled globally.

In 2008, 2,060 people through the Government-Assisted Refugees Program and 1,240 through the Privately Sponsored Refugees Program will be resettled from the Middle East region.

Canada is a leader in mobilizing international efforts to find solutions for refugees in protracted situations. Canada has already taken action on a number of fronts including the Government’s decision to resettle Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and Karen in Thailand

Peterborough, March 28, 2008 — Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help the New Canadians Centre deliver settlement services to an estimated 400 immigrants in Peterborough.

The funding of more than $450,000 is expected to help newcomers to Canada access settlement services in the city such as language training, paraprofessional counselling and assistance in finding a job, including access to workplace training opportunities in bookkeeping, computer repair, the legal field, food service and other occupations.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Mr. Del Mastro. “One of the biggest challenges for newcomers when they arrive in Canada is finding employment. The job training opportunities offered by the New Canadians Centre give newcomers a chance to gain Canadian experience, making them more attractive to Canadian employers.”

“The new funding will allow our centre to serve newcomers who now call Peterborough and the Kawartha region their home,” said Carmela Valles, Executive Director of New Canadians Centre Peterborough. “With support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), we are better able to assist hundreds of newcomer clients and help them successfully integrate and participate in their new communities.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Through the COIA, the Government of Canada has increased settlement funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. Under the COIA, CIC works with the province and immigrant-serving agencies to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding across the country.

Newcomers to Canada can also turn to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and paraprofessional counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

The Government of Canada invests in Saskatoon to help newcomers settle and integrate

Saskatoon, March 28, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help Saskatoon promote and coordinate early settlement and integration support for immigrants and refugees moving to the city.

Funding of $74,000 will support the development of mutual awareness, understanding and appreciation among racial, religious and ethnocultural groups. The funding will also help provide newcomers with meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities; coordinate and promote existing services for newcomers; and help newcomers integrate into the community.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed in Canada,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “This funding will help make Saskatoon a destination of choice by supporting the city’s efforts to create a more welcoming community.”

The City of Saskatoon is striving to provide significant recognition for this important issue by providing an expanded opportunity for public awareness and community participation. This funding will also help meet the recommendations of the report entitled Building Saskatoon to Become a Global City: A Framework for an Immigration Plan. This report provides the City of Saskatoon with a framework for developing and implementing an immigration action plan. It also provides guidance on what the city can do on its own and what it needs to do in partnership with other governments and stakeholders.

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement. For 2008–09, Saskatchewan will be receiving more than $5.5 million in basic settlement funding, an increase of more than $1.5 million over the previous year.

Newcomers can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across the country offering in-person services to newcomers.

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 and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and paraprofessional counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.