Preparing Newcomers for Life in Canada

Hong Kong, March 21, 2014 - The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, spoke yesterday to graduates of Canadian Immigrant Integration Program(CIIP), an initiative that has a excellent record in supporting it offers newcomers succeed in Canada.


CIIP graduates spoke to Minister Alexander of their achievements and he said they hope the program will help them find employment upon their arrival in Canada. They claimed that the CIIP had provided them with the tools they need to contribute fully to the economy and the labor market in Canada.


During his speech, the Minister announced an additional investment in the CIIP of $ 1.9 million over the next six months, and highlighted efforts in conjunction with the ACCC to find new ways to provide services abroad. This funding will help more immigrants prepare for life in Canada number.

CIIP is administered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges who received last month, the IPAC / Deloitte 2013 Leadership in the public sector issued by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada , reflecting its success . This award was in recognition of the efforts of the association in the development and implementation of the ICDL that helps immigrants in more than 25 countries through regional offices in the Philippines, China, India and UK.

Since 2010, the government has invested more than $ 18 million in CIIP. For more information about this program, visit theACCC website .
Fast Facts
More than 25,000 people have participated in the program while they were still in their country of origin.
According to a recent survey:
more than 72% of respondents CIIP graduates were employed 12 months after their arrival in Canada;
93% of respondents received an assessment of their credentials within six months of application.
69% of respondents found a job in their field (2013).

 Citations

"The government is putting in place an immigration system that focuses on economic growth and ensure that all Canadians, including newcomers, are able to actively contribute to Canadian society. Programs such as the CIIP help immigrants move towards success in Canada by providing essential information on the recognition of foreign credentials, the Canadian labor market and settlement in Canada. I am excited to see graduates CIIP to Canada and begin their new life. "
- Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada

"CIIP continues its significant contribution to the success of newcomers by providing them with information before departure and planning services to help them prepare before they arrive in Canada. We are proud that the efforts and contribution of CIIP in Canadian society were recognized and the ACCC hopes to ensure the implementation of this important program for many years to come. "
- Denise Amyot, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Community Colleges and president of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics.