Minister Lush attends official opening

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush today joined Citizenship and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre and Bridget Foster, Executive Director of the Association for New Canadians, for the official opening of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Adult Training Centre, 10 Smithville Crescent in St. John�s.

"As minister responsible for immigration matters in the province, I was delighted to participate, along with Minister Coderre and Ms. Foster, in the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new ESL Adult Training Centre," said Minister Lush. "The Association for New Canadians plays an important role in this province in facilitating the settlement and integration of immigrants and refugees into the community. The new ESL Adult Training Centre has adequate space to allow many services and programs to be offered in the same facility making the transition smoother for immigrants and refugees entering our province."

Minister Coderre noted: "The Government of Canada�s commitment to the association is reflected in the support it has provided since the group�s beginnings over 20 years ago. Services such as the language training efforts at the school help many newcomers integrate into the Newfoundland and Labrador community."

Ms. Foster credits the new facility to an effective partnership between government and community representatives. "I am extremely delighted that we were able to obtain this spacious and professional facility through an effective working relationship with the community and the support of the Pius X Parish," said Ms. Foster. "This is, indeed, an example of communities coming together to support immigration, inclusion and integration."

The new facility at Pius X is the site of a former school and has seven classrooms, childcare area and computer lab. The ESL Employment Resource Centre is also located at this site, allowing advanced students easy access to employment resources, programs and counseling.

The Association for New Canadians is a nonprofit organization that provides settlement services and integration programs for immigrants and refugees throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This organization, originally known as the Friends of Refugees, was established in 1979. In 1984, it was officially designated the Association for New Canadians.

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341
Nicole Beauchamp, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, (613) 850-0141

Photo#1: Citizenship and Immigration minister Denis Coderre talks to Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, Tom Lush at the opening of the Engilish as a Second Language (ESL) Adult training Centre.

Photo#2: Citizenship and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre brings greetings with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, Tom Lush and Executive Director of the Association for New Canadians, Bridget Foster at the English as a Second Language (ESL) Adult Training Centre official opening.

2002 05 17                             2:05 p.m.