Alberta immigrants will have help settling into their communities.
The provincial government has committed $23.8 million that will go towards ensuring newcomers can access settlement, language, training and other supports to reach their full potential.
“Alberta will be welcoming more immigrants over the next three years. These newcomers will help continue Alberta’s economic momentum, yet the province will need to help these newcomers succeed,” said Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism Rajan Sawhney in a statement.
“Budget 2023 will provide funding for settlement services and language supports that will help newcomers settle and thrive in Alberta.”
The funding includes $18.9 million to support the Alberta Settlement and Integration Program for projects that address gaps in service delivery and complement existing programming. An additional $4.9 million over three years will come from the federal government through the Canada-Alberta Workforce Development Agreement.
Through the program, eligible organizations can apply for grant funding for services that give newcomers information about living and working in Alberta, as well as access to services and opportunities that support their integration into their communities.
Organizations can apply for grants through two categories:
- Supports for Newcomer Integration grants, which fund settlement and language services to help newcomers integrate while they live and work in Alberta.
- Settlement Integration and Language Projects, which respond to emerging settlement and integration needs such as system improvement, capacity building, labour market opportunities and other priorities identified by the government.
Each year, the Alberta Settlement and Integration Program provides services for up to 14,000 eligible newcomers.
“As an immigrant-serving agency, TIES understands the tremendous need in the community for additional supports to serve our clients. We are thrilled to hear that there is additional funding committed to this sector in Budget 2023,” said President and CEO of The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) Sally Zhao.
“With this support, we can continue to provide critical services that help newcomers settle, work and prosper in Alberta. We know that moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, and that’s why our organization is dedicated to providing the supports that newcomers need to thrive. This funding will enable us to expand our services, reach more people, and positively impact the lives of thousands of newcomers over the next three years.”
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.