Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) have pledged $7.5 million over five years to the national Metropolis Project for research into globalization, migration, and diversity.

Established in 1995, the Metropolis Project supports research and public policy development on immigrant integration in cities in Canada and around the world.

"We have much to gain from exploring the effects of migration on the strength of our economy, the security of our nation, and the relationships between different cultures living side by side within out borders," stated CIC Minister Diane Finley. Dr. Chad Gaffield, President of SSHRC explained that, "The Metropolis Project is addressing urgent societal issues as we attempt to build a more inclusive society and to understand the connections between immigration and globalization."

The new funding will be directed towards the operation of five regional research centres, located in Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax/Moncton. These centres bring together governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to form one of the largest networks in the world dedicated to migration and diversity.