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.

Canada funds immigration programs

Canada's immigration department announced increases in funding to the provinces by more than $121 million over a three year period. The increases in funding are aimed at the provinces outside Quebec and Ontario and are intended to help immigrants settle into Canadian society. The increases in funding will bring the total investment to over $1.4 billion over five years.

The province of Saskatchewan is receiving a 40% increase in funding to help close the gap between it and the provinces which traditionally attract more immigrants. The funding, which is used for programs and services such as language and skills training, will help keep immigrants in the smaller provinces and should promote future immigration.