Newcomers and Settlement

In addition to the permanent residents, Canada’s immigration program provides for the temporary entry of foreign nationals. These temporary residents contribute to Canada’s economic, social and cultural development and are most commonly in Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. In 2013, over 100,000 individuals were working in Canada as temporary residents through this program. The occupations they held ranged from live-in caregivers, agricultural workers to other lower and higher skilled work levels. People come to Canada for a variety of reasons but the common denominator is that they hope for a better life for themselves and their children. New immigrants, temporary workers and refugees to Canada can face many more issues as newcomers who come from another culture, who may have fled war or persecution, and who may not speak English or French. In Canada, there is a well-established link between low income and ethno-racial status. In addition, the emotional upheaval of relocation is also well documented. It is common to feel a variety of emotions when newcomers first arrive in Canada including: discomfort, helplessness, frustration, fear, insecurity, uncertainty about how to behave, a sense that your cultural beliefs and values are being challenged and a sense that things are not predictable. Feelings of stress are common, especially in the first several months. Immigrants will face many challenges, especially if they have to learn English or French, or improve their language skills. They may have to take a first job or live in a home that is different from what they expected. They may need to get more education or training to get a job and build their new life. Emily Low and Joseph Jilitovich work with newcomers in the London area, working with Collège Boréal and the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, respectively. Through this video presentation, Emily and Joseph explain the difficulties faced by new immigrants and the supports and services that are available for them when they arrive. Emotional support is important and distress centres can provide a service in helping support newcomers as they adjust to their new environment. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. Moving from one’s home country to another can be a traumatic experience. There are many things to let go of and changes to make in the process. What do individuals and families need to deal with, as part of this move? Families leave behind all that is familiar and they may also have difficulty anticipating what lies ahead for them. Consider some of the emotions they may experience and the impact associated with moving: the pulling up of centuries old family roots the breaking of deep, meaningful ties the leaving of the familiar and comfortable for the unknown the disorientation that follows the strangeness of the new environment, and the lack of familiarity with the local resources. Apart from meeting the day-to-day physical needs of new immigrants, the emotional strain of relocation can be a very real and challenging one to deal with. What type of help is available for new immigrants coming into Canada? As a newcomer to Canada, immigrants may be eligible for assistance under the Resettlement Assistance Program. Various programs and services are available to help them become a participating member of Canadian society as quickly as possible. These may include: loans to help them travel to Canada assistance upon entering Canada, counselling and cultural orientation, information and orientation, referral to community resources, translation and interpretation, language training, and job-related services. Each program and service has its own eligibility requirements. If a person was sponsored as a refugee, they should contact their sponsoring organization to find out about settlement assistance. They can also get information on settlement assistance by contacting a service organization directly. In Ontario, a list of the organizations can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/outside/resettle-providers.asp#on (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/government-assisted-refugee-program/providers.html#on) How can distress centres and other service providers offer support to newcomers to Canada? Service providers and distress centre call responders need to reflect on how different their reality might be compared to that of a newcomer, even if they are immigrants themselves. When speaking with newcomers, be aware not to stereotype. Each individual and family has a different background and different needs. There is sometimes more diversity within a culture than across cultures. Do not make assumptions about what they know or don’t know. Find out what they need in order for them to make informed decisions. Keep in mind that some of the behaviour of children and parents may be related to traumatic situations they may have faced in their country of origin or through their migratory path. Help people understand the various agencies and systems in place in Canada – settlement services, social, educational, health, legal, etc. or provide them with the resources to obtain this information. Newcomers may need assistance with issues like how to access public transportation or how to fill out a form, or they may need to connect with others who share a similar experience or culture, who can help them better understand. The specific attention needed varies with each individual. Glossary: Newcomer Immigrants : are people who migrate to Canada from another country outside North America and can enter the country as Permanent Residents, Accepted Refugees or Refugee claimants. Convention Refugee: convention refugees are people who are outside their home country or the country where they normally live, and who are unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on: race; religion; political opinion; nationality; or membership in a particular social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation. Person in need of protection: a person in need of protection is a person in Canada whose removal to their home country or country where they normally live would subject them personally to a danger of torture; a risk to their life; or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Acclimatization : a process whereimmigrants deal with their immediate, basic needs and are becoming familiar with their new environment, including customs, language, governmental and social systems, rights and responsibilities, even the weather. Adaptation : A process whereimmigrants gain more in-depth and specific knowledge about their new environment, reassess personal goals, develop social networks and become more independent. Resettlement Assistance Programs (RAP):Various programs and services offered by the Canadian government to help a newcomer become a participating member of Canadian society as quickly as possible. They help refugees and protected persons resettle in Canada by providing them with financial assistance to cover the costs of accommodations, essential clothing, household effects and other living expenses. Services are delivered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).