Immigration
ministers sign Letter of Intent for a Canada-Ontario immigration agreement
TORONTO, May 7 /CNW/ - Citizenship and
Immigration Canada Minister Judy
Sgro
and Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Marie Bountrogianni
announced
today that they have signed a Letter of Intent that paves the way
for
municipalities to have a voice in immigration issues in negotiations
toward
a Canada-Ontario immigration agreement.
"This is a very important first step. Not
only have we begun a new
partnership
with Ontario but we have also recognized the importance of cities
and
the urban reality of immigration," said Minister Sgro.
"The McGuinty government is delivering on
our commitment to partner with
the
Government of Canada and involve municipalities in immigration
discussions,
since their communities make up the front line for newcomers
trying
to integrate into Ontario's society and economy," said Ms.
Bountrogianni.
"With all three levels of government working together, I am
confident
that we will arrive at an agreement that effectively meets Ontario's
needs
and serves newcomers well."
Key elements of the Letter of Intent include
commitments to form a number
of
committees. A steering committee co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada and the Deputy Minister of the Ontario
Ministry
of Citizenship and Immigration will oversee the negotiations. A
finance
committee will examine and make recommendations on federal funding
levels
required to support the social and economic integration of immigrants
in
Ontario. In addition, a municipal committee will develop joint protocols
for
municipal participation in immigration issues.
Ministers Sgro and Bountrogianni jointly
consulted with 10 municipal
leaders
in February, in preparation for negotiations on the Canada-Ontario
agreement.
The federal and provincial deputy ministers and a representative
from
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) will co-chair the
municipal
committee.
"Municipal government is happy to
participate with the other orders of
government
in discussions on immigration issues that will affect the services
we
provide newcomers in our local communities," said Ann Mulvale,
President of
the
AMO. "The full range of municipal interests-from settlement funding
to
attracting
newcomers -is part of this. We are confident that the municipal
role
will contribute to a more meaningful agreement."
Ontario receives almost 60 per cent of Canada's
immigrants, but is the
only
province without an immigration agreement with the Government of Canada.
About
80 percent of the over 130,000 newcomers to Ontario each year settle in
the
Greater Toronto Area. Another 22,000 immigrants settle in communities such
as
Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor, London and the Greater Niagara Region.
The Letter of Intent also allows the steering
committee to form
subcommittees
to develop agreements relating to consultation, information and
research;
settlement and integration services; expedited entry of certain
types
of economic immigrants; and the provision of information for prospective
and
new immigrants to Canada.
Canada and Ontario have agreed to make all
reasonable efforts to complete
negotiations
for an immigration agreement within 12 months of the signing of
the
Letter of Intent. (The Letter of Intent is attached.)
Visit our Internet site: www.cic.gc.ca
Visit Ontario Internet site at: www.gov.on.ca/citizenship
LETTER OF INTENT WITH RESPECT TO A CANADA-ONTARIO
IMMIGRATION AGREEMENT
Vision
------
The Government of Canada (Canada) and the
Government of Ontario (Ontario)
believe
that immigrants make significant contributions to the economic, social
and
cultural well-being of the province and the country.
Canada and Ontario know that increased
cooperation and coordinated
efforts
among federal departments and provincial ministries will assist each
government
in achieving its immigration goals.
Canada and Ontario recognize the benefit of
Ontario municipalities'
participation
in immigration issues.
Canada and Ontario recognize the important role
of immigration in
developing
and supporting vibrant Francophone communities in Ontario.
Canada and Ontario recognize that Ontario
receives the majority share of
immigrants
to Canada and that Ontario is integral to the success of Canada's
immigration
goals.
Canada and Ontario believe that new and
innovative partnerships and
mechanisms
are needed to help immigrants maximize their full potential.
Successful
outcomes will be achieved by engaging a range of partners,
including
municipal governments, foundations, the non-profit sector,
educational
and training institutions, regulatory bodies, business, labour,
and
ethno-cultural organisations.
Canada and Ontario affirm that immigration is an
investment in our common
future.
Programs must be flexible to support the successful social and
economic
integration of immigrants in Ontario. New investments must be made to
reflect
the evolving needs of immigrants, in response to international events,
immigration
patterns and labour market conditions.
Canada and Ontario agree to pursue cooperative
dialogue and discussions
to
determine the optimal ways to support the programs and services necessary
to
sustain and increase immigration levels in Ontario.
Purpose
-------
Canada and Ontario agree as follows:
- To
form the following committees, co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada and the Deputy Minister of the
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship
and Immigration or their designates:
-
A Steering Committee, to oversee negotiations to develop an
agreement.
-
A Financial Committee to examine and make recommendations on
federal
funding levels required to support successful social and
economic
integration of immigrants in Ontario.
- To
form subcommittees, made up of representatives from Federal
Departments and Ontario
Ministries as directed by the Steering
Committee, to develop agreements relating to:
-
Consultation, information and research exchange requirements and
processes;
-
Settlement and integration services;
-
Expedited entry of certain types of economic immigrants on a
temporary or
permanent basis;
-
Provision of information for prospective immigrants overseas and
new
immigrants in Canada; and
-
Other subjects as mutually agreed upon.
- To
form a Municipal Committee, co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada and the Deputy Minister of the
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship
and Immigration and a third Co-Chair
representing the municipal
sector, to develop joint protocols for the
participation of municipalities
in issues related to immigration.
- That
the Steering Committee shall establish a timetable for
negotiations and will report
progress at key milestones to Ministers.
The Steering Committee will
make all reasonable efforts to conclude
all negotiations within 12
months of the signing of this agreement.
