Calgary, July 10, 2009 — Newcomers in Calgary will have access to more language training to help them settle and integrate in Canada, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Kenney announced today at the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society.

Nine organizations received almost $9.5 million in federal funding for language training programming.

“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,” said Minister Kenney. “I would like to recognize the organizations that provide crucial support to those who choose Canada as their new home, helping to ease the stress of moving to a new country.”

The Calgary Immigrant Educational Society received a portion of the funding to offer 84 language instruction classes to newcomers. Other organizations receiving funding are the Agape Language Centre Society, Bow Valley College, the Calgary Board of Education, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Columbia Training Centre, Immigrant Services Calgary, Language Plus Inc. and the YMCA and YWCA of Calgary. It is expected that more than 13,000 newcomers will benefit from this investment.

“We are very pleased to receive this funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to provide language training services,” said Salim Sindhu, Executive Director of the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society. “These services are essential to helping newcomers settle and succeed in Canada. Over the past few years, our services and funding have increased significantly, allowing us to provide our clients with a variety of settlement services, including employment counseling and language training for professionals.”

Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. In 2009-10, Alberta will receive almost $59 million in federal funding for settlement services, representing a 21-per-cent increase over the previous year.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has substantially increased funding to support settlement programs and services; an additional $1.4 billion is being invested over a five-year period in all provinces and territories outside Quebec.