Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
December 21, 2017

New Province-wide Immigrant Integration and Retention Services Announced in Grand Falls-Windsor

To support actions outlined in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador, over $341,000 in provincial funding is being provided through the Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Program for multiple initiatives to support settlement and integration of newcomers to the province. The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, made the announcement today in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Initiatives include the establishment of satellite offices of the Association for New Canadians in the Labrador, Western and Central regions of the province, a pilot project that is also using funds from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Provincial funding is also going toward the development of English as a Second Language curriculum by Memorial University of Newfoundland; enhancement of French-language settlement services by the Federation des francophones de Terre Neuve et Labrador; and the delivery of conversational circles empowering participants through English practice and new social connections.

A full list of initiatives is provided in the backgrounder below.

These programs support key commitments in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador to welcome approximately 1,700 immigrants annually by 2022.

Quotes
“Settlement and integration programs help newcomers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to be fully engaged in their communities. These practical services and supports will make it easier for all regions of the province to retain immigrants and encourage social, cultural, and economic development.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“Canada is committed to ensuring that all newcomers have access to the same level of services regardless of where they choose to settle. The Atlantic Growth Strategy is a collaborative approach to supporting and strengthening local economies across Atlantic Canada. These satellite offices are yet another excellent example of different levels of government working together and partnering with service providers to give newcomers the settlement supports and services they need to help them integrate and build a successful life in Atlantic Canada as quickly as possible.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“The programming announced today will help build on the strong foundation of settlement supports and language services offered in Newfoundland and Labrador. With this additional support, we look forward to expanding our service network to assist newcomers as they settle and integrate in regions across the province.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

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Learn More
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism - www.nlimmigration.ca/ external link icon

The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador - www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/ImmigrationPlan.pdfPDF icon

Atlantic Immigration Pilot - www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration-pilot.html external link icon

Atlantic Growth Strategy - www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html external link icon

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL external link icon and @AESL_GovNL external link icon

Media contacts
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 709-725-9595
RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca

James Baker
Association for New Canadians
709-722-9680
jbaker@nfld.net

BACKGROUNDER

Initiatives Approved through the Newfoundland and Labrador
Settlement and Integration Program

  • $76,638 for the Association of New Canadians to pilot satellite offices to service the four regions of the province, based in Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, and Grand Falls-Windsor. These offices will support the Provincial Government's commitment in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador to expand newcomer settlement and integration services. The Association of New Canadians will also be using funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada towards this initiative.
  • $46,670 will be provided to the Federation des Francophones de Terre Neuve et Labrador to enhance French-language settlement services for Francophone individuals. This initiative supports The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador commitment to encourage Francophone immigration in the province.
  • The Association for New Canadians will also receive $26,000 to coordinate the private sponsorship of refugees throughout the province.
  • $150,000 for Memorial University of Newfoundland to develop eight modules for the online delivery of English as a Second Language classes for newcomers before they arrive in the province and continuing afterward.
  • Memorial University will also receive $13,395 to increase social engagement between international student families and the wider community.
  • A provision of $10,700 for the Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador, to help empower women by practicing and improving their English language skills in conversational circles.
  • $10,037 for the City of St. John's Local Immigration Partnership to develop and host an interactive, online map of services available on the Northeast Avalon.
  • $5,100 for the Bethesda Pentecostal Church to deliver informal conversational ESL classes for newcomers.
  • $3,000 for Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries to provide a multilingual book collection and promotional materials as well as deliver a Storytime conversational circle.

In addition to funding these initiatives under the provincial Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Program, the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour has also approved federal funding for the Community Centre Alliance, as well as the Association for New Canadians and Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council’s Partakes Social Enterprise. These projects will include:

  • $40,902 for the Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council’s Partakes Social Enterprise to train newcomers in sewing and crafting, and provide self-employment opportunities; and
  • $33,842 for the Community Centre Alliance to create welcoming and supportive neighbourhoods for newcomers by building awareness and encouraging inclusiveness.

2017 12 21                              2:35 p.m.