The Canadian federal government has invested in programs to help newcomers settle and thrive in Canada.
Eligible newcomers can take advantage of Canada Connects—a service that provides them with a local mentor—to make their transition to life in Canada quicker and easier.
What is Canada Connects?
Canada Connects is a program run jointly by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and local newcomer service providers across the country.
Canada Connects works to connect newcomers to Canada with a Canadian citizen or long-time community members.
The program hopes to aid newcomers to integrate more easily into their communities. Under the program, newcomers can receive guidance and support across a wide range of areas from peers in their community.
Specifically, newcomers can receive assistance with
- Connecting with peers in the community;
- Improving their communication skills and understanding of Canadian culture; and
- Fostering understanding between Canadians and newcomers regarding the immigrant experience.
Who is eligible to take part in Canada Connects?
Newcomers to Canada may be eligible to participate in the Canada Connects program based on their eligibility for settlement services. Settlement services help newcomers integrate and settle in Canada.
These services can take various forms, including (but not limited to):
- Language and job-specific language training;
- Childcare support;
- Needs assessments;
- Orientation services; and
- Employment assistance.
These services are funded by the federal government, as well as provincial and municipal governments.
Settlement services have varying eligibility criteria depending on who is funding the service. For example, all settlement services funded by the federal government are only eligible to new permanent residents, and certain protected or in-between-status temporary residents.
Services that are funded by provincial or municipal governments may be open to other temporary residents (visitors, international students, and foreign workers in Canada) as well. New permanent residents are generally eligible for all settlement services, regardless of who is providing them.
Due to its funding from IRCC, Canada Connects, and the associated programs run by local settlement service providers are often restricted to:
- New permanent residents;
- Temporary residents transitioning to permanent residence (PR) based on confirmation from IRCC;
- Convention refugees; and
- Others in similar circumstances.
Newcomers wondering about their eligibility for Canada Connects, and other settlement services may be best served by inquiring with the settlement service provider(s) directly.
How can newcomers participate in this program?
Eligible newcomers looking to participate in the Canada Connects program can consult immigrant-serving organizations in their community. Many of these organizations have their own web pages where newcomers can register for different services.
In addition to provincial and municipal web pages, newcomers can also find services funded by the federal government on IRCC’s webpage.
Newcomers can inquire with immigrant-serving organizations in their area about participating in the Canada Connects program, and other settlement services. Speaking directly with newcomer service providers is also an ideal way to confirm and clarify eligibility for these services.
Note that participation in the Canada Connects program can be dependent on the kind of organization one is visiting.
Once a participating organization has been found, newcomers can confirm next steps with the service provider, and enroll in the program. Eligible newcomers will be matched with a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or long-time community member in the country.
Newcomers can enroll online, allowing them to sign up even before they arrive in Canada.
The following table provides links to relevant provincial and municipal websites, where newcomers can find immigrant-serving organizations and sign up for their services:
Source: cicnews.com
