Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
Dear readers, Since it’s the month of Holy week, I want to reflect on the 7 deadly sins that most Catholics and Christians take for granted. It is almost the opposite of the 7 Catholic virtues which are chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness and humility. Growing up and to these days, I always practice some of these virtues, [...]
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Supporting Visible Minority Newcomer Women in Calgary

New pilot to address multiple barriers to success for women in Canada’s job market

January 4, 2019—Calgary, AB—The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that newcomers have the support and services they need to make the most of their talents and experience in order to fully integrate and contribute to the Canadian economy and to their communities.

Newcomer women who are members of a visible minority group may face multiple barriers to success, including gender- and race-based discrimination, precarious or low-income employment, lack of affordable childcare and weak social supports.

Recognizing these challenges, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is providing additional funding of up to $5 million to 10 service provider organizations across Canada over the next 3 years to increase employment supports and services for newcomer women.

The Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association administers the Job Ready Employment Training Stream, which includes a variety of employment programming and supports. A separate stream for newcomer women with interrupted education and little to no computer knowledge equips them with basic employment skills to secure rapid entry into the labour market in the retail and food industries. This additional funding of $365,000 will support the association in serving more visible minority newcomer women in the area.

Identifying IRCC-funded service providers that are already offering strong programming for women and giving them additional funding will provide an immediate boost in capacity to support visible minority newcomer women.

Today’s funding announcement is part of IRCC’s 3-year Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot, which also includes establishing new partnerships with organizations for women. On December 5, 2018, IRCC launched an expression of interest process for new partnerships with organizations for women not currently funded by the department. IRCC will provide up to $7 million in funding over the next 3 years for new, innovative programs and services to support visible minority women in accessing the labour market and to build capacity in smaller organizations that serve or are led by visible minority women.

Quotes

“Employment is key to the successful integration of newcomers. Having a job isn’t just about making an economic contribution to Canada, it’s also about providing a sense of dignity and belonging. Visible minority newcomer women can face multiple barriers to employment, including discrimination and lack of affordable childcare. I’m proud that my department has developed a pilot program that will offer direct support and services to these newcomer women as they get ready for the Canadian workforce, look for jobs and develop their careers.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

Visible minority newcomer women have the lowest median annual income of all newcomer groups at $26,624, compared to non-visible minority newcomer women ($30,074), visible minority newcomer men ($35,574), and non-visible minority newcomer men ($42,591).

Visible minority newcomer women are more likely to be unemployed. The unemployment rate of visible minority newcomer women (9.7%) is higher than that of visible minority (8.5%) and non-visible minority (6.4%) newcomer men, based on the 2016 Census.

Organizations interested in the expression of interest process are encouraged to review the Funding Guidelines available online and submit their letter of interest by January 4, 2019.

Supporting Visible Minority Newcomer Women in Calgary

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