Migrating to Canada? Support services to help you quickly settle down

Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants and facilitating their integration into Canadian society.

A look at the influx of immigrants in the country since 2001 indicates that it is between 221,352 and 262,236 immigrants per annum.

 The number of migrants is projected to increase by 341,000 in 2020.

  The Canadian government has three reasons to encourage immigration:

• The social component – The country welcomes immigrants who have family members already living in Canada
• The humanitarian component – Canada has an open policy to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers if they meet the eligibility criteria
• The economic component – The country encourages immigrants to work and settle in the country and contribute to economic growth.

To help immigrants settle down in the country and help them integrate and succeed in their new home, the Canadian government has implemented several steps and measures. Let us look at a few of them.

Even before immigrants arrive in the country, the government runs a program called the Canadian Immigrant Immigration Program. This program provides a free orientation to immigrants who are about to move to Canada on the FSWP or PNP programs. This counselling is extended to the immigrant’s spouses and dependents. The program helps immigrants prepare for economic success in the new country. It provides them with help in the form of:

• Access to important information
• Advice on options available to help them make decisions
• Prepare them for challenges they might face
• Provide direct connections with employers and other organizations who can support them in their new life in the country

The program provides crucial information in collaboration with partners in Canada. The program is open to immigrants from various countries.

Once immigrants move into the country, they can expect support from numerous immigrant service agencies who provide free service through volunteers who may speak your language or even belong to your country of origin.

Many locations in Canada have host programs which are again a volunteer-based program. Immigrants will be assigned a host who will guide them on looking for accommodation, schools, shopping etc.

Canada provides immigrant settlement services which provide the crucial support and counselling immigrants will need to quickly settle down in the new country. These services also include free language training courses (English or French) which will be important for immigrants to succeed.