When newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds.  That simple equation is

the reality of Ontario’s prosperity in a global marketplace.

As the Canadian-born population ages and birth rates stay low,

immigration takes on greater importance. Immigrants account for 70

per cent of net labour-market growth in Ontario.  Within five years,

this is projected to account for all net growth in the work force.

It’s not just a question of numbers – it is a question of economic

strength.  Recent newcomers are better educated than previous waves

of immigrants.  Half of working-age immigrants arriving over the

past two years have university degrees. Today’s newcomers bring the

right skills for a competitive, knowledge-based economy. They bring

global experience. They are Ontario’s brain gain.

Yet we are not making the most of what should be a significant

competitive edge.    One of the biggest barriers newcomers face is

getting their skills and credentials recognized. The Conference

Board of Canada estimates that the economy loses from $3 to 5

billion a year in earnings as a result.

We can’t afford to keep newcomers on the sidelines.  They must have

opportunities to get into the game as fast as possible.

This is why the Government of Ontario has invested almost $14

million in 24 bridge training programs that will help over 3,000

skilled immigrants find work in their field . These programs assess

newcomers’ skills, deliver training to meet licensing requirements,

and break down barriers that prevent them from putting their talents

to work in Ontario. This investment makes a total of more than 6,000

bridging participants since 2003 in over 60 projects with over $34

million in government funding.

The latest round of bridging projects will help internationally

trained individuals in many fields. For example, physiotherapists

will learn how to demonstrate their knowledge through Canadian-style

examinations… nurses will be provided the tools, education and

workplace experience to become licensed and find

employment…carpenters will complete apprenticeships….and engineers

will receive training in Canadian standards, codes and terminology.

Bridge training programs are one aspect of the comprehensive new

approach the McGuinty government is taking toward immigration.

We’ve signed pioneering agreements with the federal government that

will bring $1.2 billion in new federal money to assist newcomers to

Ontario over the next few years.  We’ve launched the Ontario

government’s first-ever website dedicated to attracting prospective

immigrants and helping newcomers – OntarioImmigration.ca.  We’re

working to ensure that professions create fair and transparent

registration and appeal processes.  We’ve brought all immigration-

related services, including language training, within the Ministry

of Citizenship and Immigration.

These actions are part of our government’s plan to strengthen

Ontario by strengthening its greatest asset – its people. By

investing in newcomers, we’re investing in our province’s future –

because when newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Mike Colle

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration