For Immediate Release

Mississauga, ON (November 5, 2008): Recent immigrants in the Peel Region are two-and-a-half times more likely to live in poverty than their Canadian-born counterparts according to a report entitled “Profile of the Peel Community”, released today by the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

More than 130 people representing a cross-section of the community attended the PNSG community forum. Attendees included Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga and Linda Jeffrey, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, where PNSG released its report on the Profile of Peel.

Some of the report’s highlights note:

· Recent immigrants have a median income of $15,000 compared with a median income of $28,000 for the total population

· Ninety per cent of Peel’s recent immigrants are identified as member of a visible minority group, predominantly South Asian, Filipino and Chinese.

· Thirty-nine per cent of recent immigrants aged 24 to 65 have a university certificate, diploma or degree compared with only twenty-three per cent of the total population.

· The unemployment rate for recent immigrants aged 25 to 54 with university certificates, diplomas or degrees was 10 per cent compared with 3 per cent for the total population.

· 6.5 per cent of recent immigrants report using a language other than English at work.

Speaking at the event Mayor McCallion said, “ Immigrants are the jewels in Mississauga’s crown bringing with them valuable knowledge and experience, and I commend the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group for their efforts to make their transition easier so that they may become contributing members of society. The goal for the future will be to ensure that our rich social fabric continues to be adorned with many beautiful, diverse threads. "

“Peel Region is a leader in providing newcomer services,” said Linda Jeffrey, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Peel programs are innovative and respond proactively to newcomer needs in one of Ontario’s fastest growing communities.”

In her remarks the Co-Chair of the initiative and CEO of United Way of Peel Region, Shelley White, said, “Despite good credentials and experience many newcomers are not finding jobs that match their abilities. As a result, many immigrants are living in poverty.” “New immigrants bring assets to our community and are keen to contribute. We believe successful social and economic integration of newcomers will not only make important contribution to the Canadian workforce, it will also lead to stronger and more resilient communities,” White continued.

Referring to the mandate of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, Evelyn Myrie, Director of the initiative said, “We want to create a community where immigrants feel welcome and their considerable talents and skills are recognized.” Speaking about the report, Myrie said, “The community profile report presented today, provides us with a clearer picture of the social and economic situation of newcomers in Peel region and is a significant resource in helping PNSG to develop a comprehensive strategy for the successful integration of new immigrants in our community.”

In a keynote presentation entitled, “Workplace Diversity: Benefits and Challenges” Frances Tuer from McMaster University said, “In order to really tap into the true potential of diversity, all companies need to take a fresh look at how they recruit and select employees, orient, train, manage and compensate them. Diversity management as such includes employment equity but it is not affirmative action.”

In 2005, United Way of Peel Region in collaboration with the Region of Peel formed the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG). The mission of PNSG is to champion a coordinated and collaborative strategy for the successful integration of newcomers in the economy and community of Peel.

Peel Newcomer Strategy Group is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.

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For further information or to arrange an interview with Evelyn Myrie, Director, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, please contact:

Nikesh Amit

Communications Specialist

Peel Newcomer Strategy Group

165 Dundas Street West, Suite # 501

Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6

Tel: 905-602-3650, Ext. 2464

Fax: 905-896-8048

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.peelnewcomer.org