Backgrounder - Strategic Plan and Service Improvements

The development of the Strategic Plan for Settlement and Language Training was identified as a priority under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement. The plan outlines strategies and actions to achieve the following long-term outcomes:

• Newcomers are welcomed and fully integrated into Ontario communities;
• Newcomers are engaged and participate in all sectors of society–economic, social, political and cultural; and
• Ontario communities benefit from the contribution of newcomers.

The Strategic Plan lays out four strategies to guide the funding, development and implementation of actions to support the successful integration of newcomers.

1. Settlement services — Develop a flexible, coordinated system of settlement services newcomers need such as language training, labour market integration, and social services. Ensure that there are strong linkages between services and that newcomers know how to access them.
   
   Examples of services to be funded include:
   • expanding the Settlement Workers in Schools program, which delivers settlement services in a school setting to assist young newcomers and their families;
   • establishing more newcomer information centres, a first stop for newcomers, featuring self-serve tools, information and referral services to other useful resources; and
   • partnering with libraries, community colleges and other relevant organizations to make settlement services more accessible to newcomers.
2. Language training — Build on existing services to develop and implement a comprehensive language assessment, referral and training system that helps newcomers become competent in English or French as quickly as possible.
   
   Examples of services to be funded include:
   • a higher level of language instruction to raise proficiency to high school graduation level;
   • additional computer-assisted language learning centres and upgraded software and hardware for those already in existence;
   • additional at-home language training to provide access in remote areas and additional infant care/child minding for participants with children; and
   • an occupation-specific language training system through community colleges, community employment training agencies and other partners.
3. Intergovernmental affairs — Strengthen partnerships between municipalities, the province and the federal government to integrate newcomers in the economic and social life of Ontario communities. Examples of services that will be pursued under this strategy could include funding the development of online resources at the municipal level.
4. Accountability and research — Design, fund and administer settlement and language training programs based on how well they support desired outcomes. Programs will be evaluated on a regular basis to assess delivery, results and cost effectiveness. Both governments will support the capacity of service providers to collect relevant data and review the performance of their programs.

The Strategic Plan was developed following a series of consultations with newcomers and service provider organizations across Ontario in July and August 2006. Implementation of the plan will be managed jointly by officials at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and municipal representatives. The Strategic Plan is available online at www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/settlement/coia-plan.asp, as well as at www.OntarioImmigration.ca and www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.

While the Strategic Plan for Settlement and Language Training will guide future investments, work has already begun under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to expand language training and other settlement programs for newcomers to Ontario. This includes both new initiatives and improvements to existing services, as described below.

Immigrant and Settlement Assistance Program

The Immigrant and Settlement Assistance Program (ISAP) helps newcomers integrate into Canadian society by providing a variety of settlement services. These services range from welcoming newcomers when they first arrive, to basic orientation to Canada, translation, interpretation, and employment services such as job-search workshops, where newcomers learn more about the Canadian labour market and better prepare for their job search.

ISAP has seen great expansion in Ontario under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement with more settlement workers and new points of service. The Settlement Workers in Schools program funded by ISAP has expanded to new communities such as Windsor, and provided more staff to serve high-needs areas. For example, the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre is a new partner in the program, doubling the amount of outreach to newcomer youths in schools in the Peel region.

The job search workshops (JSW) component of ISAP has seen expansion in terms of JSW staff and new providers across Ontario. For example, the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre has just added JSW to its list of services.

There has also been an increase in outreach and marketing to promote awareness of the program and to reach as many newcomer clients as possible. With these expanded services, ISAP will reach over 98,000 clients in Ontario this year.

Enhanced Language Training

The Enhanced Language Training (ELT) initiative, part of ISAP, provides funding for specialized language training for newcomers to help them develop the language skills demanded by the Canadian labour market, as well as occupation-specific language training. ELT also offers employment supports and bridge-to-work activities such as access to internships and work placements as well as mentorship services for adult immigrants. The goal of ELT is to help newcomers find their way into the work force as early as possible, and at levels that will allow them to use their skills and credentials. The ELT initiative is currently operating as a pilot project.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada

The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program provides language training in English or French to help newcomers integrate into Canada. Before the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, LINC classes ranged from levels 1 to 5 in increasing language proficiency.

Additional funding has resulted in the introduction of higher-level LINC 6 and 7 classes, giving newcomers the opportunity to acquire English-language skills comparable to those of a high school graduate. To date, 45 immigrant-serving organizations in 10  Ontario communities have been funded to deliver LINC 6 and 7 classes to over 500 newcomers.

To help as many newcomers as possible take advantage of the program, LINC also has transportation assistance and child-minding services. The new funding is allowing for additional child-minding spots so that more parents of young children can benefit from language training.

Funding is also being provided to 70 organizations to either create or upgrade computerized language learning centres that complement LINC classroom instruction. The majority have computers and software purchased in 1999–2000. The age and heavy use of these systems have made upgrades necessary.

Additional funding is allowing for the creation of basic literacy classes for students who are at a lower level of language proficiency. Up to now, most of them were placed in LINC 1 classes, and experienced a lower success rate because instructors have had limited time to focus on the higher needs of these students. Separate literacy classes will improve learning for all participants. To date, 39 organizations have been funded to deliver literacy classes to over 200 newcomers in 10 Ontario communities.

With these expanded services, LINC programs are now reaching over 20,000 clients in over 20 communities across Ontario. More will be served as the program ramps up.

Host program

The Host program is designed to help immigrants deal with the stress associated with moving to a new country by providing a friendly and informal environment in which to learn about their new home. Host volunteers give newcomers a chance to practise their English or French, learn about other services for immigrants, make employment contacts and participate in the community. At the same time, host Canadians have the opportunity to learn about other cultures, other lands and different languages while making new friends and strengthening community life.

Currently, 19 organizations are funded to provide Host services, and more funding has been provided for 19 additional workers. Services such as youth homework clubs, group community activities and conversational circles have been added. The program serves over 2,000 clients. More will be served as the program ramps up.

Soon, Ontario will have regional Host coordinators to facilitate and support the delivery of the Host program. This will improve provincial coordination of resources and promotion, training and information sharing for Host program staff in Ontario service-providing organizations. The funding of this initiative will continue to support the Host-providing agencies, while increasing its visibility through ongoing promotion and development of a 1-800 number and website.

Examples of funding agreements

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has recently signed funding agreements with the following organizations to provide settlement and language training services. These are only a few examples. A full list of agreements signed as of the end of September 2006 is available at www.cic.gc.ca/english/disclosure/grants/index.asp, and is updated on a quarterly basis.

ISAP

• Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, Toronto ($1,982,244)
• Thunder Bay Multicultural Association ($375,490)

ELT

• Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services, Mississauga ($1,036,817)
• Mohawk College, Hamilton ($440,816)

LINC

• Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services, Toronto ($1,202,907)
• Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, Hamilton ($1,203,601)

Host

• London Cross Cultural Learner Centre ($297,937)
• Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, Windsor ($202,925)

Canada–Ontario Immigration Agreement

On November 21, 2005, the governments of Ontario and Canada signed the first Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement. Through the agreement, the federal government will provide $920 million in new funding, nearly tripling previously planned expenditures over the next five years, to help newcomers successfully integrate into Ontario communities and achieve their full potential. The $920 million is in addition to annual base funding of $108 million for settlement services and language training. Canada’s new government is committed to the successful implementation of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.

*Allocations in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 were not fully spent because the agreement was signed in late 2005, followed by a federal election. Time was also required to negotiate contribution agreements with service providers and consult on the Strategic Plan for Settlement and Language Training. Unused funding will be carried forward to subsequent years of the Agreement. The planned expenditures for 2006-2007 are $182 million, which represents an increase of 60 percent over last year’s expenditures.