Minister Kenney announces increase in federal commitments to assist newcomers

The government of Canada is keeping its promise in the Speech from the Throne to work with provinces and territories in order to increase the uptake of immigrant settlement programs. The Northeast Territories will be allocated more than $600,000 in federal funding next year to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, announced Jason Kenney, minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

The government of Canada is keeping its promise in the Speech from the Throne to work with provinces and territories in order to increase the uptake of immigrant settlement programs. The Northeast Territories will be allocated more than $600,000 in federal funding next year to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, announced Jason Kenney, minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Minister Kenney said that this annual report reveals the continuing commitment of the government to help the development and continuation of important programs and services that can make a real difference in the lives of newcomers to Canada. He said that the programs, such as language training, job search and employment services, helps newcomers integrate and succeed in Canada. As newcomers become productive and contributing members of the community, their success is success of Canada, he added.

The funding represents a two percent increase than that in 2008-2009. Overall, provinces and territories outside Ontario and Quebec will be allocated over $240 million in the federal funding next year in order to help newcomers settle and integrate into their new communities, an increase of more than $40 million or more than 20 percent from 2008-2009. Funding for the provinces of Quebec and Ontario are in separate bilateral agreements.

Since 2006, government of Canada has significantly increased the funding to support settlement programs and services; an additional funding of $1.4 billion is being provided over a five year period in all provinces and territories outside Quebec.

This includes programs and services to support newcomers in a number of ways by providing- language training so that they have the language skills to function in Canada; the information they need for better understanding of life in Canada and make informed decisions regarding their settlement experience; the required help to find employment commensurate with their skills and education; and help them to establish networks and contacts.