News Release

December 11, 2006

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT INVESTING $596,000 TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FOR NEWCOMERS
Program Helps Internationally Trained Dietitians Work In Their Field Sooner

TORONTO — The McGuinty government has invested $596,000 to help internationally trained dietitians to get work in their field, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle announced today at a graduation ceremony for the first 20 of 60 dietitians in the program.

“This investment breaks down barriers so that these professionals can put their global experience to work in Ontario,” said Colle. “With Ontario’s diverse population, dietitians who have been trained outside of Canada can help match the client’s dietary needs to the foods of their culture.”

The Internationally Educated Dietitians Pre-registration Program (IDPP) is the first program of its kind in Canada.  Delivered by Ryerson University in partnership with the Dietitians of Canada, the program  provides instruction on the Ontario healthcare environment, occupation-specific language training,  and mentorship work placements. Program graduates receive temporary registration from the regulatory body before moving on to pursue licensure in their field.

The IDPP is expected to graduate more than 60 dietitians by next year. The program will also provide consultations and referrals for more than 370 internationally trained dieticians who are pursuing work in their field.

The program is part of the McGuinty government’s investment of more than $34 million in more than 60 bridge training programs to help thousands of newcomers find work in more than 100 professions and trades.

Breaking Down Barriers for Newcomers
This $596,000 initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s comprehensive plan to strengthen Ontario’s economy by building on the global experience that newcomers bring. Others include:

• Negotiated the first-ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, which quadruples federal spending on language training and settlement services and brings an additional $920 million to assist Ontario newcomers over five years;
• Introduced Bill 124, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act which, if passed, would help break down barriers facing newcomers seeking to work in their fields by mandating fair registration practices in regulated professions;
• Developed ‘All About Ontario,’ a new citizenship curriculum resource to be added to language and citizenship classes in early 2007 to help newcomers learn about Ontario’s history, geography, their roles and responsibilities, and to promote civic participation – from voting to volunteering;
• Launched immigration web portal, www.OntarioImmigration.ca, which is designed to support newcomers both in Ontario and abroad, prior to arrival; 
• Established the first Provincial Internship for the Internationally Trained. Administered by Career Bridge, newcomers with a minimum of three years international work experience will be placed for six-month paid assignments within the Ontario Public Service and Crown Agencies;
• Created a Foreign Trained Professionals Loans program of up to $5,000 per person to cover assessment, training and exam costs, in partnership with the Maytree Foundation; and,
• Total annual investment of $130 million, more than any other province in Canada, on programs to help newcomers upgrade their language skills, settle and find work.

“Newcomers have the skills and desire that will help us meet our future labour needs and help Ontario to compete in the global marketplace,” said Colle. “When newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds.”

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Contacts:
Rick Byun, Minister's Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010