The Manitoba government is providing a total of $4 million to 24 newcomer service provider organizations whose projects were selected through the Newcomer Community Integration Support (NCIS) program – Newcomer Community Connections Stream, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today in an emailed media release.
“Attracting and retaining new immigrants has been identified as a key factor in Manitoba’s post-pandemic economic recovery,” said Reyes. “This funding supports our government’s vision of a skilled and talented Manitoba, a key component of which is to welcome newcomers and ensure they are able to participate fully in the community and contribute to a growing economy.”
The NCIS program provides financial support to projects that enhance the social and economic integration of newcomers. This program offers a total of $7.1 million in funding this year including $3 million for Manitoba Start and $120,000 for Recognition Counts. In February, the Manitoba government announced it was accepting applications for the Newcomer Community Connections Stream, which will receive $4 million in funding.
The $4 million in funding, which doubles last year’s investment, will be distributed amongst 24 successful projects. Of the approved projects, the Manitoba government is also making a three-year funding commitment to 12 projects, ensuring there are no interruptions to the delivery of programs that represent a baseline of services that are essential to the settlement and integration of newcomers to Manitoba.
Successful recipients of the Newcomer Community Connections Stream include:
– Bilal Community and Family Centre (BCFC);
– Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute (CMWI);
– Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM);
– Family Dynamics;
– Fédération des parents de la francophonie manitobaine;
– Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) Inc.;
– Immigrant Centre Manitoba Inc.;
– Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc. (Welcome Place);
– Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network;
– New Journey Housing;
– Newcomers Employment & Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc.;
– North West Regional Immigrant Services Inc.;
– North West Regional Immigrant Services Inc. (Thompson pilot);
– Portage Learning and Literacy Centre Inc.;
– Regional Connections Immigrant Services;
– Société de la francophonie manitobaine;
– Steinbach Chamber of Commerce (Eastman Immigrant Services);
– Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Winnipeg Inc.;
– Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council, Inc.;
– Waverley EAL Consulting Inc.;
– West Central Women’s Resource Centre;
– Westman Immigrant Services;
– Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association; and
– Young Men’s and Women’s Christian Association of Winnipeg (YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg).
“This is amazing news for all of the organizations who help newcomers settle and integrate well. At IRCOM, our families are very new to Canada, and they are excited to engage, learn and contribute,” said Shereen Denetto, executive director, IRCOM. “With this funding, our families will receive tailored employability workshops, English for Specific Purposes, computer literacy training and work placements to help them succeed in their new home and contribute to our economy and society.”
This funding responds to recommendations made in the recently released Immigration Advisory Council report, with the intention to address evolving needs of newcomers in their settlement and integration in Manitoba.
To read the Report of the Immigration Advisory Council, https://immigratemanitoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/immigration-council-report_en.pdf
