Statement made on 10 March 2011 by Senator Claudette Tardif
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Deputy Leader of the Opposition):
Honourable senators, it was learned earlier this week that the federal government will cut funding to a highly successful immigration settlement program in Ontario, the province that welcomes the highest number of newcomers in Canada.
The Settlement Workers in Schools program is a no-cost, school-based settlement service that helps immigrant students adapt to a new life in Canada and connect their parents with community resources. Ms. Catherine Fife, President of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, has expressed publicly her worries about the $43 million funding reduction in Ontario, citing that some school boards will have to close their community welcome centres, eliminate teachers and settlement workers, and reduce the operating costs of their settlement programs in the summer, which is a peak time when newcomers visit these facilities to enrol their children.
This is a question of justice and equity. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has no problem spending taxpayers' dollars to woo ethnic voters. In fact, spending in the minister's office has increased by 35 per cent since he has held that portfolio. However, when it comes to giving newcomers the tools they need to adapt and settle into our country, the minister is prepared to cut the necessary funding.
Why are settlement services not a priority for this Harper government?
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