Immigrants support Canada is on, as the federal government reserved CAD100 Million for the integration of the newcomers. We are all aware that the state’s foreign citizens, PR holders, and temporary residents have experienced numerous challenges as a result of COVID-19. This does make newcomers worried that they will be treated in the same way. On the other hand, this amazing news will make newcomers feel more at ease.
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has set aside a $100 million investment to guarantee that newcomer settlement services are enough during the pandemic. This fund comes from the Department of Immigration’s Service Delivery Improvement (SDI) program
All the details about the funds are given below:
- The amount will be distributed over the next three years;
- The goal of it is to adjust newcomer settlement programs to reflect the pandemic and post-pandemic settings;
- SDI program grants innovative projects by settlement service providers in different fields. For example:
- The assessment process,
- Information,
- language training,
- Skill-building,
- Workforce programs,
- Community links.
IRCC approved 78 projects for the 2020-2021 funding session. These approved projects will verify,
- Whether artificial intelligence can be used to establish settlement strategies for new immigrants;
- Development of service strategies with an anti-oppression system;
- Connection of newcomers with business owners in rural areas. The connection will be before their arrival to see if this motivates them to settle in such sectors or not.
Statement of IRCC
IRCC said about the immigration support Canada program:
“These projects will explore how to better integrate newcomers into their new communities and support the settlement sector as it recovers from the pandemic.”
It means IRCC will look into tools for two purposes,
- To best incorporate newcomers into their local cultures,
- To help the housing sector rebuild from the pandemic.
IRCC’s further statement is, “Throughout the pandemic, many settlement services have moved online. SDI funding will help IRCC determine the kinds of services newcomers need while taking into account the increased reliance on online service delivery.”
According to the statement, SDI money will assist IRCC for the immigration support Canada program:
- In determining the types of services newcomers require,
- Keeping in mind, the rising use of online service delivery as many settlement services have shifted online during the pandemic.
Statement of Marco Mendicino
Minister of IRCC, Marco Mendicino in a conference said that “Settlement services play a fundamental role in Canada’s immigration system. From work to housing to language training, they set newcomers up for success. During this challenging year and a half, I think it’s safe to say everyone has needed support in some form or another. One can only begin to imagine the additional hurdles this pandemic has presented newcomers trying to start their lives in Canada. These new SDI projects will help us enhance and improve settlement services so every newcomer can reach their full potential here,”
According to this statement, in Canada’s immigration system, settlement services are critical for newcomers in many ways. During this pandemic, there must be the implementation of new strategies to help each and everyone in the state.
The focus of settlement services
Settlement services are centered on assisting newcomers, who came to the state as,
- Economic refugees,
- Family sponsorship,
- Foreign citizens.
They concentrate on assisting people in overcoming the particular challenges that newcomers face including:
- Obtaining work,
- Finding accommodation,
- Learning English or French,
- Achieving success in Canada.
Report of IRCC settlement outcomes 2021
Almost one million newcomers received settlement services in Canada between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2019.
According to the newcomers, the programs were beneficial and appropriate to their requirements. These services:
- Increased their understanding of life in Canada,
- Boosted their English or French language abilities,
- Qualified them for the Canadian labor market,
- Enabled them to interact with local groups.
The vision of the Canadian government for future immigration programs
On October 30, 2020, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2021‒2023 Immigration Levels Plan that will allow 401,000 immigrants in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023. This is Canada’s most ambitious immigration program in history. The IRCC spends about $2 billion per year on grants and donations linked to settlement initiatives, making it the world’s greatest.