The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced funding for new projects to support newcomers to the province through the Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Program.

These initiatives include over $180,000 for the Association for New Canadians to extend the satellite offices pilot project and support private sponsorship of refugees and over $113,000 for Memorial University’s Internationalization Office to continue and expand intercultural competency training of Provincial Government employees.

To date this fiscal year, more than $507,000 in funding has been provided to organizations throughout the province for projects that support the settlement and integration of newcomers, a key commitment in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador. Previously announced projects include the establishment of satellite offices of the Association for New Canadians and the enhancement of French-language settlement services by the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador.

A full list of the projects announced today is provided in the backgrounder below.

These projects also deliver on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“These innovative projects help continue the enhancement of settlement and integration services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, assist newcomers in developing a sense of belonging, and provide guidance to Provincial Government employees on how to incorporate diversity considerations in the services we provide. By working together in partnership, and continuing to implement initiatives in our Immigration Action Plan, we can make Newfoundland and Labrador an even more attractive place for newcomers to call home.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“The Association for New Canadians is delighted to receive support from the Provincial Government to continue delivery of its Satellite Office Pilot and Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. The funding announced today will help ensure that permanent and temporary residents from across the province continue to have the support, guidance, and assistance necessary to facilitate their successful settlement, inclusion, and integration.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

“The Provincial Government’s investment is vital to the success of Memorial’s efforts in developing an increasingly interculturally competent population across Newfoundland and Labrador. With this support, we are able to cultivate intercultural leadership and engage the local community in the development of cross-cultural skills. These efforts are aligned with the broader goal of easing the transition for newcomers, and becoming a more welcoming, supportive environment for people from all over the world.”
Sonja Knutson
Director, Internationalization Office, Memorial University

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Learn More

Immigration Action Plan Progress Report

The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador

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

James Baker, Manager
Association for New Canadians 
709-726 6885
jbaker@nfld.net 

Jennifer Batten
Memorial University
709-864-4873, 727-2178
jbatten@mun.ca 

BACKGROUNDER

Initiatives Approved through the Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Program

• $133,658 to the Association for New Canadians to continue the satellite offices pilot project until March 31, 2019, in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. John’s.
• $113,240 to Memorial University’s Internationalization Office to continue and expand intercultural Competency Training for Provincial Government employees.
• $101,968 to the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador for enhanced settlement and integration support for Francophone newcomers to all regions of the province.
• $46,235 to the Association for New Canadians to support the private sponsorship of refugees to be settled throughout the province.
• $28,200 to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporation to support Bethesda’s Conversation Café, where newcomers connect in facilitated small group discussion to improve their English language ability and confidence.
• $19,010 to the Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide informal language training while empowering newcomers. Lessons will utilize curriculum that includes practical information about settling in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• $15,278 for the City of St. John’s to encourage increased use of its Service Mapping Database by marketing and promoting the new tool as well as translating it into French.
• $50,000 in federal funding through Labour Market Partnerships to the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to develop and deliver presentations on legal rights to newcomers throughout the province to assist in their workplace integration.