Organization will deliver settlement services to newcomers before they arrive in Canada
January 28, 2019—Vancouver, BC—Pre-arrival settlement services are a key element of Canada's immigration program. They provide newcomers, including refugees, with the information and settlement support they need to make informed decisions about their new life in Canada before they arrive, such as how to prepare for finding a job. To help deliver these important services, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be providing funding of $1.7 million to the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique (FFCB).
The FFCB is 1 of 4 regional Francophone partners that will provide province-specific information to Francophone newcomers. This unique collaborative partnership model will provide dedicated pre-arrival services to Francophone newcomers as part of IRCC efforts to strengthen the Francophone Settlement Pathway. La Cité will act as the primary point of contact and will provide general information and needs assessments and refer clients destined for British Columbia to the FFCB.
Today's funding announcement is part of IRCC's renewed pre-arrival services program, which will maximize the social integration of newcomers, set them up to contribute to the economy and help grow the middle class by:
- directly connecting clients with the information and services they need through a streamlined, easy-to-navigate process
- providing pre-arrival services to Francophones through a collaborative partnership model
- offering general, regional and occupation-specific employment services to boost job prospects
- encouraging newcomers to apply for job licensure before they arrive, if needed
- linking clients to federal and provincial settlement services in Canada
"Pre-arrival services provide permanent residents with information and settlement support so they can make informed decisions about their new life in Canada and begin the integration process before they arrive. IRCC's renewed pre-arrival program will deliver consistent, high quality client-centered services to people around the world."
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
"As part of IRCC's renewed pre-arrival program, I'm happy that IRCC has selected the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique to deliver these important services. This investment will allow this organization to support the needs of Francophone newcomers before they arrive in British Columbia."
– Terry Beech, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour
Quick facts
In May 2018, IRCC launched an expression of interest process to solicit proposals for economic/family class and Francophone pre-arrival services. Sixteen experienced service provider organizations (SPOs) with proven results and strong partnerships were selected to deliver virtual and in-person services to newcomers, including refugees, around the world before they arrive in Canada. These pre-arrival services began on January 1, 2019.
Funding for these 16 SPOs to 2023 totals approximately $113 million.
Canada has funded pre-arrival services since 1998. While initially only provided to refugees, services were expanded to include non-refugee immigrants in 2001.
In-person services will be offered in China, India, and the Philippines, along with a pilot project for in-person Francophone services in Morocco.
