Financial support to professional newcomers in Saskatchewan

Canada, 23rd February: Professional new immigrants coming to Saskatchewan will be provided financial support as part of a new scheme launched by the federal as Saskatchewan government.

The pilot project will help professional newcomers put their knowledge and skill-sets to work at the earliest.

IAF to offer microloans to professional immigrants—International trained professional newcomers in Saskatchewan will be provided microloans by the IAF (Immigrant Access Fund). These loans will help newcomers in supporting the costs of their foreign credential recognition in Canada.

It was announced by Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Honorable Diane Finley. Canada Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney was also present during the announcement.

Canada job creation-a top priority--Main priority of the government of Canada is to help in creation of new jobs in Canada while ensuring economic growth, Minister Finley added. Hence, a commitment made by the government in the Economic Action Plan to assist international trained professionals finance the costs of foreign credential recognition is being delivered now, he affirmed.

The government of Saskatchewan has allocated $450,000 to the IAF for this three-year pilot scheme. Already, nearly $1.7 million and $100 thousand have been received by the IAF from Canada government and the Morris Foundation respectively.

Immigration minister Kenney said Canada government wants to make it simpler for newcomers to become part of Canada labor market.

Giving details about the project, Rob Norris, Saskatchewan advanced education, employment and immigration minister, said it will facilitate new immigrants get jobs in their chosen field of study while providing employers with additional number of skilled immigrant workers for meeting the growing labor demands.

High costs of exams hinder international trained professionals in Canada--A significant obstacle to foreign credential recognition happens to be the high licensing exams costs along with upgrading of skills and training for international trained professionals.

Hence, the pilot project named ‘Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot’ will launch and test innovative schemes providing financial help to foreign trained professionals to ease their financial burden.

Foreign trained professionals including skilled immigrants as well as Canadians having international education or training contribute significantly to the job market and economic growth of Canada, Finley stated.

So, efforts are being made through partnership with several organizations like SUCCESS to enable newcomers make contributions to the prosperity of Canada.