News Release – The Governments of Canada and Ontario partner with the City of Hamilton to help newcomers

Hamilton, October 15, 2009 — Immigrants in Hamilton 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 Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MP David Sweet, Hamilton Mountain MPP Sophia Aggelonitis and City of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

The City of Hamilton will receive over $285,000 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. The City of Hamilton has welcomed approximately 35,431 newcomers over the past 10 years.

“This initiative will enhance the city’s ability to help newcomers integrate,” said MP Sweet, 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.

“The Ontario government is working with municipalities, like Hamilton, to support the social and economic integration of newcomers,” said MPP Aggelonitis. “Helping newcomers succeed in their communities is a sound investment for all Ontarians.”

“The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council was established with the specific task of drawing up a made-in-Hamilton Integration Strategy,” said Mayor Eisenberger. “This Strategy is to define a vision, strategic priorities and objectives for newcomers in Hamilton, and identify how the agencies and communities of Hamilton can work together to fulfill them. The support for this initiative will help Hamilton strengthen its commitment to a city that that is inclusive and welcoming to all who choose to live here. It will strengthen our ability to attract and retain immigrants and refugees to our community to the benefit of all residents.”

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

Tim Rees
Program Manager
Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council
905-546-2424 ext. 4244
Tim.Rees@Hamilton.ca