News Release - Canada’s government provides opportunities to help newcomers succeed

Regina, August 7, 2008 — Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help immigrant-serving organizations deliver settlement services to newcomers in Regina.

The new funding of close to $2 million will provide for necessary and important programs such as language training for over 1,600 newcomers and provide community resources for assistance in settling into their new communities and finding a job.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring newcomers integrate into their communities and find meaningful employment”, said Mr. Komarnicki. “By offering various settlement programs, such as language training, we are giving newcomers the opportunity to succeed. When immigrants succeed, Canada succeeds.”

The Regina Open Door Society (RODS) will receive over $1.4 million to deliver a range of settlement services to newcomers in Regina.

“The Regina Open Door Society has been serving refugees and immigrants in collaboration with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for over three decades. I would like to thank CIC for the additional resources, which will enable the organization to expand its capacity to assist increasing numbers of newcomers to the region,” said Darcy Dietrich, Executive Director of RODS. “Settlement, adaptation and integration services as well as language training opportunities will be enhanced and expanded to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees choosing the welcoming community of Regina as their new home.”

Three other organizations serving immigrants will also receive funding. The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology will receive over $350,000, while the Regina Immigrant Women’s Centre and the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise, will receive over $24,000 and $120,000 respectively.

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.

The Government of Canada 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.

For more information on CIC’s programs, consult our website at 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

Media Relations Unit
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Backgrounder

• Funding for immigrant-serving organizations in Regina