The rising number of immigrants has generated huge opportunities as well as capacity challenges related to immigration settlement around the country. Peel Region is not an exception to this social phenomenon. The challenges related to immigration settlement in Peel Region are greater than those experiences in many other regions that are destinations for immigrants.
It seems an increasing number of immigrants prefer suburbs such as Mississauga or Brampton over settling in the major cities of Canada after their arrival. According to the 2006 Census Report, Peel recorded the highest absolute increase of immigrants in the GTA (136,420) between 2001-2006. Immigrants accounted for forty-nine per cent of the Peel population in 2006.
The growing number of immigrants in the region is creating an increased need for settlement and social services. There is a growing concern in the community about the unmatched supply of and demand for settlement services in the community. To establish an effective settlement services system, demands for the services have to be properly matched with delivery.
Peel Region lacks a complete description of existing settlement and social services. The mapping of existing services is essential to identify gaps and subsequently to plan the appropiate service delivery system in the community.
The formation of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group promises to fill the gap between the supply and demand of settlement and social services by championing a co-ordinated and collaborative strategy for the successful engagment of newcomers in the economy and community of Peel.
Understandably, the mapping exercise and subsequesnt development of strategy has to consider a wide range of issues including employment, education and housing. These issues have to be examined through the lenses of ethnicity as well as lingustic, economic and geographical variables.
It is obvious that employment is one of the important factors that hugely influence the integration of newcomers. However, other development issues, including civic participation are also of vital importance. Hence, the exercise also has to explore the possibility of creation of civic spaces and tools of communication within and between communities to create much needed social capital -- a key element for an inclusive and vibrant society.
The largest demographic who I see effected the most in the new immigrant population are the 50+ & 60+ professionals. I have personally seen these people get completely demoralized, lost & frustrated. They lived all their lives working with dignity, but here, they are seen unfit to get the most junior positions.. All they keep hearing is "No Canadian Education", "No Canadian Experience". A vicious circle of no experience, no work. I hope this initiative will help these immigrants start a respectable life in Canada & not go back in despair. Canada should be a beacon of hope for all !
Hi, I am an immigrant in Peel and I just have the feeling that there is some discrimination in Canada when it comes to good jobs. I keep wondering why we are called ‘skilled worker’ when we are not given the opportunity to practice our skills. I have not seen any press ask such questions about skilled immigrants to any top manager and/or pelicans. When I look at what is happening to my friend who is a well trained Medical Doctor from Germany, I however count myself lucky! He has no chance to even work as a nurse which we all know how traumatizing this is. I got my first interview at my field of studies after seven months in Peel. I had to use the Cold call method which was very funny. I am still working in a call center while my brain is draining.
One additional lens from within which mapping and strategy issues need to be included are immigrants' knowledge abilities, employment histories and backgrounds. Research has consistently identified employment commensurate with skills and experience as the major integration challenge. In a culture that values professional ability, the inability to identify with a profession of self-worth is a crucial barrier to integration.
Nikhat Rasheed Colleges Integrating Immigrants to Employment (CIITE) A project of CON*NECT, funded by the Government of Ontario
As a new immigrant, securing employment is one of the greatest challenge a new comer experiences in Canada. By the time you manage to secure a basic entry level position, your savings is completely exhausted. After many months without an income, Kelly Services finally placed me temporarily at United Way. My short stay at United Way has given me hope that soon I will be able to secure employment to be able to take care of both my daughter and myself. I would like to say thank you to United Way of Peel Region and their caring staff,and also to Kelly Services.
Quite a wise and comprehensive strategy set in place to ensure that new immigrants don't "fall through the crack". Our economy and society as a whole will surely benefit from this initiative!
In the process of developing the settlement service delivery model, it’s important to engage the whole community in ongoing dialogue in order to create a common understanding and community ownership of the project.
Positive dialogue and engagement among the key stakeholders, based on our core values, will help us better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by our diverse community.
To this end, we invite your participation in our community blog to ensure your voice is heard.
Beacon of Hope or Failure ?
By: Mohammed Ahmed () on 29-07-2009 05:18