News Release - Minister Finley marks first anniversary of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office

Ottawa, May 30, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, marked the first anniversary of the launch of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) by announcing new funding as well as plans to expand its overseas services.

“After one year of operation, the FCRO is benefiting thousands of newcomers in Canada as well as prospective immigrants abroad,” said Minister Finley. “As we enter our second year, we will focus on expanding our overseas services so that those wishing to come to Canada will have the information they need before they arrive in order to find work in their chosen fields.”

Within Canada, funding of $1.2 million is being provided for five projects through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to improve foreign credential recognition processes in Canada. As outlined in the attached backgrounder, the funding will go toward identifying programs and services; increasing online information; improving clarity and accessibility of information; conducting regional dialogues; and examining issues related to the entry of foreign-trained practitioners and the development of an entry-to-practice examination for competency assessment.

A key focus of the FCRO in its second year of operations will be the expansion of its services, including face-to-face services, to a fourth location overseas, in addition to India, China and the Philippines. Orientation sessions in the new location will be delivered by a service-provider organization on behalf of the FCRO. A call for proposals will be issued by the fall of 2008. At that time, a new location will be determined and work will begin to make the sessions available in 2009.

To date, more than 2,000 people have participated in the overseas orientation sessions and more than 3,000 are registered in these countries. These sessions help individuals selected under the federal skilled worker category to understand the requirements of the labour market in Canada, including the foreign credential recognition processes, while they are still overseas. The sessions are currently delivered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges’ Canadian Immigration Integration Project.

The expansion of FCRO services is part of a broader effort to assist newcomers as early as practical in the immigration process. Plans are under way to offer in-person services overseas to more prospective immigrants, including skilled workers, and to provide them earlier in the process so that people can settle more quickly once they arrive in Canada. For example, services would be extended to people who have already been selected in principle for immigration to Canada, but who are still going through the required medical, security and criminal checks. By receiving these services earlier, they will have more time to learn about foreign credential recognition processes in Canada and prepare to integrate successfully into the Canadian labour market and society.

Since its launch on May 24, 2007, the FCRO has helped newcomers and prospective immigrants find the information and referral services they need to put their skills to work in Canada. The FCRO website has had over 400,000 visits, the majority from people overseas. The toll-free telephone and in-person services delivered through 320 Service Canada centres across the country have received close to 20,000 calls and visitors.

On April 22, the FCRO released its first progress report,which can be found at www.credentials.gc.ca/about/progress-report2007.asp. The report details the FCRO’s activities and highlights some of its key achievements in its start-up year. Over the coming year, the FCRO will continue to work with the Foreign Credential Recognition Program at Human Resources and Social Development Canada and its partners to strengthen foreign credential recognition processes across the country.

To find out more, visit the FCRO’s website at www.credentials.gc.ca.

For further information (media only), please contact:

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

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

Backgrounder

• Funding to improve foreign credential recognition processes