News Release - Government of Canada announces funding to help immigrants settle in Lethbridge

Lethbridge, February 1, 2008 — Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, Rick Casson, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for Flexibility Learning Systems in Lethbridge to deliver settlement and integration services to newcomers in the community. The announcement was made during an event held at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge.

Funding of $1.3 million, provided under the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program, invested over three years, will go towards language training and literacy programs for newcomers. It is expected to serve more than 650 newcomers in this area.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed in Canada, whether they choose to live in big or smaller centres,” said Mr. Casson. “Lethbridge has an important immigrant community. This funding will help newcomers find a job and help them settle into their new life in Lethbridge, and that’s good for all of us. Their successful integration will strengthen our community, and our country as a whole.”

Flexibility Learning Systems has developed unique ways to address the literacy needs of their clients. Language learning is often combined with hands-on activities and community involvement that brings real-life experiences into the classroom. This way, what has been learned in the classroom can be applied immediately to real situations to help newcomers integrate better.

“With the continued support of the government and the community, the opportunity now exists for Flexibility Learning Systems to deliver flexible programming to more clients, and to enhance programming to meet the increasingly diverse needs of newcomers, some of whom have had little or no schooling,” said Elma Guinto, Director of Flexibility Learning Systems.

Newcomers can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which can help internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. The FCRO was established in 2007 to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally-trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada Centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.

Settlement programs are an important part of a successful immigration program. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has begun investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada, in partnership with provinces, territories and other service providers, delivers a number of programs to help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These include: the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP), which offers orientation and interpretation services as well as referrals to community resources, counseling, general information and employment-related services; the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program, which provides basic language training; and the Host Program, which helps immigrants by connecting them with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

For more information on CIC’s settlement and integration programs, please visit: www.cic.gc.ca.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Matthew John
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Karen Shadd-Evelyn
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650