The Government of Canada is working to help new Canadian immigrants integrate into the work force more quickly. Employment and Social DevelopmentCanada (ESDC) Minister Diane Finley and Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney recently announced an investment of$50 million over the next two years to help newcomers have their internationally-obtained education and work experience assessed and recognized morequickly; so that they can work in their fields and contribute to the Canadian workforce more effectively.

"We compete in a global marketplace where the knowledge of our workforce is the key to our economy and our prosperity," said Minister Finley. "That'swhy Canada's Economic Action Plan will invest $50 million over two years to speed up the process of assessing and recognizing foreign qualifications."

Through this investment, new principles will be developed to guide the recognition of foreign credentials and new standards for the timelytreatment of qualification recognition will be implemented. Additionally, a list of priority occupations will be created and the Government of Canadawill develop programs to help people begin the accreditation process in their home countries, before landing in Canada.

The Foreign Credential Recognition Office (FCRO), created in May 2007, has been a valuable tool for newcomers.

"Today, 330 Service Canada Centres across the country help internationally-trained professionals get the information they need to have theircredentials assessed as quickly as possible," stated Minister Kenney. "Our government wants to improve the integration of internationally trainedworkers into the Canadian labour force, so that they can put their skills to good use for themselves and their families. When newcomers succeed, we allsucceed."