Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have recently pledged new funding to help newcomers establish themselves in Newfoundland and Labrador .

The Association for New Canadians in St. John's will use this new funding to deliver both settlement and integration services as well as employment services to Canadian immigrants.

"Through the services we can deliver under these programs, we can greatly enhance the contribution that newcomers make to both the economic and social strength of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador," explained Bridget Foster of the Association for New Canadians.

Investments will be made in language training and job search support for immigrants, as well as training for settlement workers. The money will also help Sharing Our Cultures to plan a three-day event to increase cross-cultural awareness in Newfoundland and Labrador. The ESDC funding will help the Association for New Canadians to deliver a project called Taking Action: Connecting Immigrants with Opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The project will involve a pilot internship program for Newfoundland and Labrador employers and newcomers to help with the recognition of skills, competencies, and work experience gained abroad. The program will educate employers about the benefits of hiring immigrants and it will provide programs and services to help them hire new Canadians. An online immigrant and employer skills matching database will help Newfoundland and Labrador employers find foreign-trained workers with the experience and credentials that they need.