Canada announces settlement funding for immigrants

Canadian immigration minister Diane Finley announced CAD $38 million in federal funding for 15 partner agencies in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario to assist delivery of settlement and integration services for immigrants in the community.

The funding, to cover the period of October 2007 through March 2010, is expected to help more than 150,000 migrants who have settled in the region. The services will include helping migrants find jobs and assisting them in getting general orientation, translation and interpretation services. The funding will also help migrants with referrals to community resources and counselling services.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed with their new lives in Canada," Finley said during an event at the Peel Adult Learning Centre in Ontario. "The Halton and Peel Regions in Ontario are two of the fastest growing immigrant communities in Canada. With this funding, thousands of new immigrants will be able to better integrate into their communities and have more opportunities to find work for themselves and their families."

Effat Ghassemi, senior manager of the Peel Adult Learning Centre, said that the government has been providing services to migrants of more than 40 nationalities for over 16 years.

"With this new funding for increased programming to assist newcomers, we are excited to continue our partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada in meeting the settlement needs of those who choose Halton and Peel as their new home," Ghassemi added.

Overall, the Canadian federal government will provide CAD $1.3 billion in settlement funding over five years to provinces and territories other than Quebec, which receives federal funding through a separate agreement.