News Release
September 15, 2006
MINISTER'S TRIP STRENGTHENS CHINESE-ONTARIO IMMIGRATION
TORONTO — Just back from a 10-day visit to China, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle says he is determined to build on the knowledge he gained to support the transition of Chinese newcomers into Ontario society.
“In recent years, China has been one of the top two source countries for immigrants to Ontario,” Colle said. “It is essential to do as much as we can to help them prepare for living in Ontario before leaving China. I was also very pleased to exchange information on business, tourism, education and trade in Ontario.”
Colle was in China to meet with Chinese government leaders, business people, investors, educators and Canadian immigration officials. He was invited by the government of Jiangsu province, which has had a friendship accord with Ontario for more than 20 years. Colle left for China on August 29 and visited Beijing, Nanjing (the capital of Jiangsu), and Shanghai.
The Minister said the trip was a great success in strengthening best practices in ongoing immigration and settlement from China to Ontario. “We will work with our colleagues and partners to address these needs. Prospective immigrants need relevant, accurate and up-to-date information about what Ontario has to offer and what they need to do before they arrive to make their transition easier.”
Last spring, the Ontario government launched an international website, OntarioImmigration.ca which provides newcomers and potential newcomers with information about places to live, work and study in Ontario. There are also details on the job market, how to find work in specific fields, settlement information for different communities and even how to get a driver’s license. Over the next two years, more information and features will be added, making this website a one-stop international gateway for newcomers from all over the world.
This information exchange is the latest example of the McGuinty government’s commitment to help newcomers succeed. Other initiatives include:
- Introducing Bill 124, the proposed Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006,which,if passed,would ensure that regulated professions adopt registration practices that are fair, open and transparent.
- Investing more than $34 million in more than 60 bridge training projects since 2003 to help over 6,000 newcomers get the training and experience they need to enter their fields sooner.
- Launching an internship program in the Ontario Public Service and Crown agencies for internationally trained individuals.
- Negotiating the first ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, which quadruples federal funding for language training and settlement programs and brings total funding to $920 million over five years to help Ontario newcomers.
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Contacts:
Rick Byun
Minister’s Office
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
(416) 325-3460
Karen Ras
Communications Branch
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
(416) 314-7012
News release also available in Chinese (PDF)
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