Backgrounder - Settlement funding allocations for 2009-2010

Citizenship and Immigration Canada supports a number of programs and services to help newcomers settle and help put them on the path to integration into Canadian society.

The allocations for 2009-10 reflect a funding formula that is based on the number of newcomers, and which gives additional weight for refugees to account for their unique settlement needs. The formula also provides a capacity-building amount for each jurisdiction, recognizing that jurisdictions are at different places in terms of settlement service provision.

The following table provides a comparison of net settlement funding allocations for the provinces and territories outside of Ontario and Quebec for fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Settlement Funding Allocations

This table includes the allocations of funding for the Enhanced Language Training, Portal and Anti-Racism initiatives. Total allocations for 2009-10 amount to more than $243 million and include resources from the Innovation Fund. For 2008-09, the total allocation, including the Innovation Fund, was $200.6 million.

Funding for Ontario is provided under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement. Through this Agreement, the Government of Canada has increased funding for Ontario by a total of $920 million over five years. This covers basic settlement services, enhanced language training, portal and administration costs.

For Quebec, the Canada-Quebec Accord provides the government of Quebec with an annual grant, the amount of which is calculated using a formula set out in the Accord. Quebec has responsibility for all settlement services. For 2009-10, the estimated amount is $234.2 million.