Canadian immigration reveals funding for language training

July 13 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Jason Kenney Minister for Canadian immigration

Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism minister, Jason Kenney, has revealed that the Canadian immigration department is investing CA$9.5 millon in a new language training programme for foreigners moving to Canada.

The training programme is to focus on newcomers in the Calgary area and is intended to help immigrants move to and work in Canada. Kenney explained: “Access to language training services is, for many newcomers, a first step in establishing networks and contacts so they are engaged and feel welcomed in their communities.”

Some 13,000 Canadian immigrants are set to benefit from the scheme which will provide funding for several organisations that help people establish to themselves in their new communities. The groups receiving funding include the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, which is planning to offer 84 new language classes to immigrants with the money. Other organisations to benefit include, Agape Language Centre Society, YMCA and YWCA of Calgary, Columbia Training Centre, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Board of Education.

Salim Sindhu, the executive director of the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, says that language services help newcomers to find work in Canada and to seek services and help where it is needed.

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