Canadian Immigration Job Services

The province of Ontario is investing over $27 million into forty provincial programs that will help new immigrants find employment in their field of training and experience. These programs are an expansion of previous efforts by the province, and will cover numerous regions including Toronto, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, the Niagara Region, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Region.

The programs include services in the sectors of education, engineering, finance, health care, research and innovation, social work and trades. In accordance with the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, the government of Canada will contribute $8.1 million to the effort. Since 2003, Ontario has devoted over $85 million in funding to help an estimated 20,000 newcomers.

Canadian Government Increases Immigrant Services Funding

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has announced funding for the Immigrant Settlement Services program in Ontario. The program is dedicated to the development and implementation of programs that support new immigrants in Ontario. Services include employment related assistance, , orientation, interpretation, referrals to community services and general information for new Canadians.

Through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, a total of $920 million in funding is being allocated to increase settlement assistance in Ontario over a five year period. The Minister, who expects that all national business growth by 2012 will rely on skilled immigrants, feels that the money is well spent.

Internship Program for New Canadian Immigrants

Career Bridge, a program launched in 2003 by non-profit group Career Edge, has helped launch approximately 700 careers with more than 200 Canadian employers in the Toronto area. By partnering with Canadian companies, new Canadians benefit from a valuable foot in the door, gaining Canadian experience and contacts at the same time.

The success of the program has more recently led to its launch in the Vancouver area. Some of the companies that have already joined the effort in this region include Alcan, BC Hydro, CIBC, GE Canada, Canada Trust and Telus.