Calgary provides funding to help settle new immigrants

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Honorable Diane Finley, announced funding to organizations engaged in providing settlement services to immigrants in Calgary, Alberta.

While announcing the funding of $16.5 million, he said that he hoped that these funds would help an estimated 5,000 newcomers to the area, provide them access to language training, and help them find jobs and integrate into their new community. Reiterating Canadian Government’s commitment to help newcomers settle and help them succeed, the minister said that Calgary has a growing immigrant community and the funding will go a long way to help newcomers improve their language skills, one of the key factors in the transition to their new lives. He hoped that their success will strengthen Calgary and our country as a whole.

The funding is intended to provide access to immigrants to Calgary to expanded and targeted needs-based services that will assist them in their adjustment to life in Canada and their contribution to the work force and to society, offer the kind of English-as-a-Second-Language training and programs that truly make a difference in the lives of new immigrants.

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. In 2006, the Government of Canada began 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, Alberta will be receiving over $47 million in basic settlement funding.

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. 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.