• Federal government departments are beginning to work more collaboratively on the integration of immigrants through the creation of the Director General Forum that brings together Directors General from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), CIC, Department of Foreign Affaires, Industry Canada, and Heritage Canada. The Prime Minister has also named a Hedy Fry as Parliamentary Secretary on Foreign Credential Recognition and the Integration of Immigrants.
• Discrimination is also a big factor that impacts upon the effective integration of immigrants. CIC has found that Host Programs, such as the Peer Helper or Mentor Programs that some colleges and institutes have introduced to enhance counseling services for immigrants, are effective in reducing discrimination. CIC has successfully implemented Host Programs in some primary schools and would like to expand this type of program to other educational levels, including colleges and institutes. It is also important to work with employers, particularly in small and medium enterprises, to sensitize them on the importance of recognizing foreign work experience and the value of hiring immigrants.

Areas to Think About
Martha Nixon, former Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was split, with responsibilities for border security and customs moving to the Canada Border Services Agency and immigrant integration services remaining with CIC.
• Integrated approaches are essential to move prospective immigrants from their first idea about immigrating to Canada to the point where they are settled in a community and working.
• The Prime Minister’s priorities, such as the Cities Strategy and the social economy agenda are important to monitor in relation to the integration of immigrants as they could become sources of funding in the future.
• The funding nexus poses challenges as there are so many different government departments involved, the government needs to move on these issues and is looking for ideas.
• Pilot projects have their limitations, and their sustainability is often questionable. It is important to propose initiatives in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Foreign students should perhaps be considered as a source of potential immigrants. Colleges and institutes could become involved in the selection process of those foreign students that have the potential to become immigrants to Canada.

Immigration Portal
Donna Kirby, Director, Learning Strategies and Support Division, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

• The Going to Canada Website is being restructured and developed into an Immigration Portal. The portal is to serve as a targeted on-line tool that provides seamless services for prospective immigrants, approved immigrants and newcomers.
• HRSDC approved the ACCC project to develop a section of the ACCC website that profiles the types of programs and services immigrants can access at Canadian colleges and institutes.
• Examples of tools and services that will be provided on the portal include:
  • translation of credential documents into English or French;
  • tools for the assessment of qualifications and language capacity, including individual literacy levels;
  • a document information tool and a synopsis of all documents and forms immigrants are required to complete;
  • Canadian study plans;
  • “E-portfolios” for immigrants.