News Release - Government of Canada invests in Yukon to help newcomers

Whitehorse, May 21, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help immigrant-serving organizations deliver settlement services to immigrants in Yukon.

The new funding of over $341,000 is expected to help one hundred or more newcomers access language training programs and referrals to community resources for assistance in settling into their new communities and finding a job.

The Association Franco-Yukonnaise (AFY) will receive over $212,000 to deliver services in both official languages to newcomers in Yukon. The AFY also provides services for Francophones in minority communities, welcomes all newcomers, and encourages their participation in their new communities.

Yukon College is also receiving $129,000 to deliver job-specific language training to help prepare newcomers for jobs in Canada that match their skills and qualifications. This also makes it easier for immigrants to integrate into the community. Funding for enhanced language training is provided on a yearly basis and renewed every school year.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers settle and we want them to succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Yukon is providing many opportunities for immigrants. This funding will help newcomers receive services such as language training, one of the key factors in the transition to their new lives. Their success will strengthen Yukon and our country as a whole.”

“The Association Franco‑Yukonnaise supports the Government of Canada’s initiative to provide funding for second‑language teaching for immigrants,” said Jean‑Marc Perreault, President of the AFY. “Good communication with the members of the host community is key to helping newcomers integrate.”

“Enhanced language training (ELT)offers tools to help immigrants integrate into Canadian society. Learning real life options within a Canadian context, outlining clear pathways to employment and building the social capital within our cities: this is what enhanced language training offers to its participants,” said Jeff Wolosewich, ELT instructor, Yukon College.

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. In 2006, the Government of Canada began 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.

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

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation and referral services, and advice and guidance; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.

For more information on CIC programs, please visit www.cic.gc.ca.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Shakila Manzoor
Regional Spokesperson
B.C./Yukon Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
604-666-8408