Cities urged to do more for Canada immigrants

Canada, 15th September: Canadian cities have been asked to extend more help to immigrants coming to Canada to help them integrate successfully in their new homes.

Broader focus for integration of new immigrants in Canada--The report unveiled by the FCM(Federation of Canadian Municipalities) states that some of the very basic needs of the new immigrants arriving in Canada are ignored by the federal government.

These include assuring public transportation and affordable housing for newcomers in Canada. The report further asserts that the federal focus is on recognition of foreign credentials and language training to new immigrants in Canada and this is quite narrow.

There has been almost negligible change in the immigration settlement schemes by federal government, the report asserts.

According to a city councilor in Kitchener and a president of the FCM, Berry Vrbanovic, municipalities happen to the first in terms of providing support to issues concerning new immigrants.

So, there is an imminent need on a partnership between federal government and municipalities for delivering such services to newcomers in Canada, he added.

Meanwhile, CIC (Citizenship and immigration Canada) has invited public views on the appropriate mix of immigrants as well as the levels of Canada immigration needed by the nation for sustaining its labor force.

Housing, public transit must for newcomers in Canada—An important point worth consideration is that immigrants not only need help in learning French or English along with help in finding suitable jobs in Canada. In fact, two basic infrastructure issues including affordable houses and public transportation are indispensable for newcomers as they are for Canada-born workers.

And despite this, there has been tremendous pressure on some Canadian cities to reduce funding to transportation service.

The federal and provincial governments must make sure that the services for settlement of new immigrants in Canada last longer than three years since immigrants need between five to ten years for integrating fully into their new country, Mr. Vrbanovic stated.

And keeping in view the significance of new immigrants to Canadian economy, the governments, both the federal and provincial, must focus on quick settlement of new immigrants in Canada to save them from lagging behind from their Canada-born counterparts.