Organization will deliver settlement services to newcomers before they arrive in Canada

Source: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) News Release.

January 22, 2019 – Victoria, BC – Pre-arrival settlement services are a key element of Canada’s immigration program. They provide newcomers, including refugees, with the information and settlement support they need to make informed decisions about their new life in Canada before they arrive, such as how to prepare for finding a job. To help deliver these important services, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be providing funding of $3.4 million to the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA).

Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge Park, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

The BCCA will be providing occupation-specific employment services to pre-arrival clients. These services will prepare newcomers for jobs in the construction industry while helping to meet employment demands.

Today’s funding announcement is part of IRCC’s renewed pre-arrival services program, which will maximize the social integration of newcomers, set them up to contribute to the economy and help grow the middle class by:

• directly connecting clients with the information and services they need through a streamlined, easy-to-navigate process
• providing pre-arrival services to Francophones through a collaborative partnership model
• offering general, regional and occupation-specific employment services to boost job prospects
• encouraging newcomers to apply for job licensure before they arrive, if needed
• linking clients to federal and provincial settlement services in Canada

---

Quotes

Pre-arrival services provide permanent residents with information and settlement support so they can make informed decisions about their new life in Canada and begin the integration process before they arrive. IRCC’s renewed pre-arrival program will deliver consistent, high-quality client-centered services to people around the world.

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

As part of IRCC’s renewed pre-arrival program, I’m happy that IRCC has selected the British Columbia Construction Association to deliver these important services. This investment will allow this organization to support the employment needs of newcomers looking for jobs in the construction industry before they arrive in Canada.

– Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge Park

---

Quick facts

• In May 2018, IRCC launched an expression of interest process to solicit proposals for economic/family class and Francophone pre-arrival services. Sixteen experienced service provider organizations (SPOs) with proven results and strong partnerships were selected to deliver virtual and in-person services to newcomers, including refugees, around the world before they arrive in Canada. These pre-arrival services began on January 1, 2019.
• Funding for these 16 SPOs to 2023 totals approximately $113 million.
• Canada has funded pre-arrival services since 1998. While initially only provided to refugees, services were expanded to include non-refugee immigrants in 2001.
• In-person services will be offered in China, India, and the Philippines, along with a pilot project for in-person Francophone services in Morocco.

---

Contacts

Contacts for media only

Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

---

More Info

For more information about the program, visit the BCCA Integrating Newcomers page.