In recognition of the essential role that pre-arrival settlement services play in the successful integration of newcomers in Canada, the Canadian government has made significant financial commitments to enhance these services. These services equip immigrants with critical information and support, paving the way for informed decisions, smoother community integration, and quicker employment success.
On May 12, 2023, The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced an investment close to $12 million for S.U.C.C.E.S.S., a leading service provider. This investment, made on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Citizenship, Refugees and Immigration, forms part of broader settlement funding extensions announced previously.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is among 15 service providers delivering essential information, orientation, and referrals to newcomers. They provide both online and in-person services, which include insights about the Canadian workplace, soft skills training, and employment counselling. They also offer specialized services for refugees to prepare them for the Canadian job market.
A day earlier, on May 11, 2023, Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced more than $65 million in funding extensions for service provider organizations countrywide. These funds will ensure the ongoing delivery of crucial settlement services, such as pre-arrival services, services for racialized newcomer women, and language training for newcomers in Francophone minority communities.
As part of this funding, the YMCA of the National Capital Region is set to receive over $1.2 million to continue providing valuable pre-arrival services. The YMCA offers a plethora of services, accessible both online and in-person, which equip newcomers with important resources, including workplace information, employment counselling, and soft skills development.
The pre-arrival services program by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is designed to maximize the economic and social integration of newcomers by:
- Ensuring clients have direct access to necessary information and services through a user-friendly and efficient process.
- Motivating newcomers to seek validation for their international credentials prior to their arrival in Canada, if necessary.
- Facilitating connections between clients and relevant federal and provincial settlement services within Canada.
Investments in pre-arrival services are investments in the newcomers and families who are joining Canada’s diverse communities. These investments not only foster personal growth among newcomers but also contribute to strengthening Canada’s economy. Detailed information regarding individual funding for service provider organizations will be released in the forthcoming weeks.
