RECOMMENDATION 4

We are asking that through the CILT (Citizenship and Language Instruction) Agreement, and through changes to the ISAP (Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation) Program, language programs with daycare be developed for women at home and that they be offered in informal community-based settings. Also, that funding be made available so that radio and television language training programs be developed and made nationally available.

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS
TO SKILL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Training

Because of lack of fluency in English or French, because of low levels of education and because they are sponsored, many immigrant women do not have access to skill training with allowances under the Basic Skill Development Training Programs offered by Employment and Immigration. In addition, for the same reasons, they do not have access to on-the-job training under the General Industrial Training Program and the Critical Trades Skills Program.

We believe that the treatment of immigrant women in these training policies goes against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

RECOMMENDATION 6

We are asking that for skill training courses and for on-the- job training programs, policies be developed to make room for immigrant women who do not have sufficient language skills or basic training. Where language and basic skill training are required as prerequisites for entry to skill courses and on- the- job training, we ask that allowances be provided.

RECOMMENDATION 7

While these policies are taking shape and as a practical response to the lack of access of immigrant women to both skill courses and on-the- job training, we are asking Employment and Immigration to initiate and fund special training programs for immigrant women.

Like the on-the-job language training, we are asking that Employment and Immigration initiate this year four pilot project training programs in various centers across the country. At the end of 1986, once each pilot project has been running for a year, we would ask to meet with the Minister to review the success of the projects and to talk about implementation of a permanent policy.

EMPLOYMENT

1. Affirmative Action

In the area of employment we are very much in favour of strong affirmative action measures.

RECOMMENDATION 8

1. Affirmative Action programs should take immigrant and visible minority women - and here we stress women - into account .
2. An agency to monitor and enforce the affirmative action program should be set up.
3. Pressure should be put on the provincial governments to follow the federal example.
4. Affirmative Action should be extended to the private sector.

2. Recognition of Training and Degrees from other Countries

Over the past ten years, there has been some improvement in procedures to recognize equivalent education for trades and professions. However, many highly-qualified newcomers are doing unskilled work because their training and experience are not recognized.

RECOMMENDATION 9

We are asking Employment and Immigration to work with provincial educational institutions and professional and trades associations to establish the equivalency of various courses offered in other countries.

3. Community Economic Development

Over the past few years, immigrant women have begun to address their employment and orientation needs through community development cooperative initiatives. This has been facilitated to some extent through Multiculturalism. To make these projects meaningful to immigrants and society, there is a need for co-funding by Multiculturalism and Employment and Immigration. Multiculturalism could address the orientation needs of immigrant women, while Employment and Immigration could help with the economic aspect of initiatives.

We support this type of program but feel it should be expanded and the criteria examined. In our view, women should acquire the skills necessary to sell their products and to learn how to run their businesses on their own.