News Release – Minister Kenney celebrates CIC’s award winning Young Newcomers Internship Program

Ottawa, June 8, 2009 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today recognized the first group of individuals to complete internships in an award-winning departmental program that helps new immigrants develop the skills they need to succeed in the Canadian job market.

“Newcomers are key to building a stronger Canada,” said Minister Kenney. “This program is just one of the many ways that CIC is leading by example and providing new immigrants with the work experience and tools they need to succeed in Canada.”

The Young Newcomers Internship Program (YNIP) is an initiative of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and was introduced as a means to reinforce the Department’s mission to facilitate the integration of newcomers into Canada. YNIP offers new Canadian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to gain vital Canadian work experience. In its first year, CIC offered 12 individuals an initial four-month internship and, where possible, a second four-month internship to maximize their learning opportunity within the Department.

“Participants of this program bring great skills, knowledge, and education to the Department and we benefit from their first-hand experience in dealing with the immigration process,” said Minister Kenney. “Today we celebrate the success of this program’s pilot and the achievements of its participants.”

The program was launched by the Department in 2008. Selected through World University Services of Canada, the first group of YNIP interns have all graduated from a Canadian university with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

In 2009, CIC won the Michelle C. Comeau Human Resources Leadership award for demonstrating innovation in developing and implementing this program. The award recognizes leadership and excellence in human resources management in the federal public service. After a successful first year, CIC will be continuing the program and offering internships to 10 deserving newcomers in the fall of 2009.

For further information (media only), please contact:

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