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Canadian government shows commitment
Recently, Jason Kenney, the Canadian Immigration Minister, announced a programme designed to help new migrants settle was to continue to be backed with a multi-million dollar funding package.
During 2010-2011 CDN$320 million dollars in funding is destined for the extension to the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), which is in addition to the annual settlement funding of CDN$108 million.
Speaking after signing the extension, Minister Kenney said: "We signal our commitment to continue to collaborate to attract, retain and integrate immigrants into communities in Ontario while exploring new ways to improve immigrant outcomes. The extension of this agreement prolongs our support for immigrant settlement programmes, including language training and programmes for newcomer youth."
The other COLA signatory, Ontario Immigration Minister Dr Eric Hoskins, added: "Ontario is pleased to sign this one-year extension as we negotiate a successor agreement, so that newcomers to the province can continue to receive the services they need to settle and succeed."
The announcement of the COLA extention followed on from similarly good news from the other side of Canada. In April, Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Kenney, and Moira Stilwell, British Columbian Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, signed the new Canada-British Columbia Immigration Agreement.
The BC deal will involve various partners - including local governments, service providers and the private sector - to help welcome and integrate immigrants into Canadian society. Canada's Government is set to contribute CDN$114 million to British Columbia for its settlement services and for initiatives designed to welcome newcomers into BC communities.
It is hoped that settlement agreements such as these will result in more immigration to various parts of Canada and also entice existing immigrants to stay, with the happy bi-product being that Canada's future economic and social needs are met. As Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, commented: "The (BC) agreement will help Canada attract the skilled international workers it needs to meet the needs of the Canadian economy as we emerge from the global economic recession."