Advanced Education and Skills
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
October 6, 2015

Supporting Our Communities

Provincial Government Announces Funding for Association for New Canadians to Assist Syrian Refugees

The partnership between the Provincial Government and the Association for New Canadians has been strengthened through a contribution to the organization's efforts to support Syrian refugees. Today, the Provincial Government is announcing $50,000 in funding for the association to assist Syrian refugees.

"We have been in regular communication with the Association for New Canadians during the Syrian refugee crisis. Through the association, we have heard about a strong outpouring of support from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including the pledging of financial contributions and accommodations, as well as commitments to privately co-sponsor refugees. This funding will help the association in its efforts to assist the people of Syria. Like all Canadians, we are disturbed by the images that are appearing in the media and we will continue to work with our Federal Government partners to do whatever we can to help."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

This funding will be used primarily to support the hiring of a Refugee Sponsorship Coordinator who will be responsible for working with, and providing support to, sponsors, community groups, and sponsored individuals and families during all aspects of the process. Funding may also be used towards programming to help support the settlement of refugees arriving in the province, in areas such as health services, educational services, and family and social services.

"The people of our province have a long-standing history and reputation for providing assistance to various parts of the world when it is needed. After consultation with the Association for New Canadians, and in recognition of the current crisis our government has requested an increase in the government-assisted refugee allocation from the Government of Canada for Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Canadian refugee system is the responsibility of the Government of Canada and administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The current allocation to Newfoundland and Labrador, for government-assisted refugees relocating to the province, is 155 people. The Association for New Canadians delivers many programs to assist refugees' transition into Canadian society and has indicated they have the capacity to support up to 250 government-assisted refugees annually.

"We are pleased to receive this funding from the Provincial Government as it will help our efforts to support refugees as they arrive in this province seeking a new life. The Association for New Canadians has held public information sessions about the Syrian refugee crisis and how people can help in sponsoring a refugee or a family. We encourage the public to keep contacting us with ways they wish to help."
- Megan Morris, Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

For more information on programs and services available through the Association for New Canadians, visit: www.ancnl.ca .

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is providing $50,000 in funding for the Association for New Canadians to support Syrian refugees in this province.
• This funding will be used primarily to support the hiring of a Refugee Sponsorship Coordinator.
• The Government of Canada's current allocation to Newfoundland and Labrador, for government-assisted refugees relocating to the province, is currently 155 people. The Provincial Government has sent a letter to the federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration requesting an increase in that allocation.
• The Association for New Canadians delivers many programs to assist refugees' transition into Canadian society and has indicated they have the capacity to support up to 250 government-assisted refugees annually.

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca	Kevin Guest Director of Communications Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs 709-729-1983, 730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca
Megan Morris Executive Director Association for New Canadians 709-726-6885 mmorris@nfld.net

2015 10 06                              11:40 a.m.