Crucial first steps in Canadian newcomers’ lives
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Canada has welcomed over 10,000 Afghan refugees since August 2021, with more arriving every week and the government of Canada is working hard to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals as quickly and safely as possible.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, was in Toronto to welcome the newcomers and to show Canada’s continued dedication to supporting them and the world’s most vulnerable.
“Despite extraordinary and complex challenges that we are facing on the ground in Afghanistan, the pace of arrivals continues to be strong and we’ll keep working with our trusted domestic and international partners as we resettle more Afghan refugees safely in Canada,” he said. “Being able to personally welcome these newcomers is a proud moment I won’t soon forget.”
This effort is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the government of Canada and international partners. Provinces and Territories and countless domestic organizations have helped resettle refugees across the country. Canadians, volunteers, and the private and non-governmental sectors, including several veterans organizations, have also generously given their time, services, expertise, financial contributions and in-kind donations to support these ongoing efforts, providing immediate and longer-term support to those who need it most.
Despite the many unique challenges, these Afghan newcomers are now beginning their new lives in Canada. From coast to coast to coast, small and large communities alike have been welcoming them to their new homes. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working directly with resettlement assistance program service providers, provinces and territories, community organizations, sponsorship agreement holders, and private sponsors to provide Afghan nationals with access to housing, childcare, language training and basic necessities such as clothing and food. Across Canada, they play a critical role in helping Afghans move to their new homes and integrate successfully in Canada.
The process of resettling in Canada is a marathon – not a sprint – and more work is needed to help Afghans integrate well into their new communities. Through its settlement program, IRCC works with partners to help newcomers enrol in schools, establish a permanent new home, and find a job. Their determination to succeed and the skills they possess will have a significant and positive impact in our communities and on Canada’s post-pandemic economic and social growth.
ACCES Employment, a service provider organization in the Greater Toronto Area, is a leader in connecting job seekers from diverse backgrounds with employers such as Maple Leaf Foods, CGI, and Rogers, who have all stepped up to support Afghan refugees.
ACCES offers:
• Mentoring support
• Translation and language support
• Job search workshops, including resumé writing and interview preparation
• Work placements
• Onboarding and post-hire support
To date, ACCES has held seven virtual job fairs, working with Afghan newcomers to explore their work interests and where they want to settle. Through one-on-one virtual conversations with prospective employers, many of them have been given follow-up interviews and have received job offers.
Expanding their reach beyond the Greater Toronto Area, ACCES is beginning to work with Talent Pool in Calgary to deliver larger-scale job fairs across Canada.
They’ve also teamed up with IKEA Canada to launch a national customer experience training program. This program is designed for refugees interested in customer experience strategies, as well as work placements and mentorship opportunities with IKEA.
A few quick facts:
Afghans come to Canada under special immigration, humanitarian and family reunification programs.
Through the settlement program, IRCC funds over 500 settlement service provider organizations to provide support services and programming to newcomers.
The settlement program assists newcomers, including refugees, in overcoming barriers so they and their families can contribute to the civic, social, political and economic aspects of life in Canada.
Afghan newcomers have resettled in more than 90 communities across Canada, which range from major urban centres to small towns and rural communities.
ACCES Employment serves more than 40,000 job seekers annually and works with a network of 2,500 employers.