News Release – The Governments of Canada and Ontario partner with the Region of Waterloo to help newcomers

Kitchener, October 13, 2009 — Immigrants in the Region of Waterloo will have improved access to services to help them successfully integrate into their communities as a result of a new Local Immigration Partnership initiative.

The announcement was made by Kitchener Centre MP Stephen Woodworth and Region of Waterloo Regional Chair Ken Seiling.

The Region of Waterloo will receive $175,779 in Government of Canada funding for the initiative, which includes the establishment of a local partnership council. This council will develop a settlement strategy to identify delivery models, initiatives and projects tailored to assist newcomers. It will be comprised of municipal representatives, employers, school boards and settlement and social service agencies. Waterloo has welcomed approximately 26,081 newcomers over the past 10 years.

“This initiative will enhance the community’s ability to help newcomers integrate,” said MP Woodworth, on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “Improving access to services that make the integration process easier will benefit not only newcomers, but communities across Ontario.”

The funding is being provided through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, a partnership between Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Almost $3 million will be allocated to municipalities and service provider organizations across Ontario to establish the partnerships.

“Immigrants make up a large part of the population of the Region of Waterloo and are important to Ontario’s economic and social prosperity,” said local MPP John Milloy. “Helping our newcomers succeed locally is a good investment for all Ontarians.”

“As a result of this funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, this Local Immigration Partnership Initiative will provide immigrants in our community with improved access to services and help them better integrate into the community,” said Mr. Seiling.

Settlement services are an essential part of the Government of Canada’s immigration program. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has substantially increased funding to support settlement programs and services. An additional $1.4 billion is being invested over a five-year period in all provinces and territories outside Quebec, which has responsibility for settlement services through the Canada-Quebec Accord. Increasing the uptake of immigrant settlement programs was identified as a government priority in the 2008 Speech from the Throne.

Citizenship and Immigration 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, service-providing organizations and other stakeholders.

For more information, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website at  www.cic.gc.ca or the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s website at www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca

Coralie D’Souza
Minister’s Office
Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration
416-325-6204

Ian Darragh
Communications Branch – Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868

Bryan Stortz
Corporate Communications
Region of Waterloo
(519) 575-4408
bryan.stortz@region.waterloo.on.ca