Supporting Visible Minority Newcomer Women in Toronto

From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Empowering Newcomer Women: Overcoming Barriers in Canada’s Job Market

The Canadian government is dedicated to providing newcomers with essential resources to leverage their skills and experiences, enabling them to integrate and contribute to both the economy and their communities.

Visible minority newcomer women often encounter significant challenges, such as gender and racial discrimination, unstable employment, limited childcare options, and insufficient social networks.

In response, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allocating up to $5 million over two years to 10 service provider organizations nationwide, aiming to enhance employment support for these women.

The YWCA of Greater Toronto offers programs designed to help newcomer women and youths acquire the skills and connections needed to enter the workforce. Their services encompass skills training, networking opportunities, volunteering, work placements, and assistance with credential assessments. This organization creates a safe environment where women can express their needs and receive tailored support. With an additional $310,000 in funding, the YWCA will expand its capacity to serve more visible minority newcomer women.

This funding forms part of IRCC’s broader 3-year Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot, which also seeks new collaborations with organizations focused on women. In late 2018, IRCC initiated a process to identify new partners, offering up to $7 million in funding over three years to foster innovative programs that assist visible minority women in accessing job markets and strengthening smaller organizations serving these communities.

Key Insights and Quotes

“Employment is crucial for newcomers’ successful integration. It not only contributes to the economy but also instills dignity and belonging. Visible minority newcomer women face unique barriers, including discrimination and childcare challenges. Our pilot program aims to offer direct support as these women prepare for and navigate the Canadian workforce.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“I’m pleased to announce additional funding for the YWCA of Greater Toronto as part of the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot. This funding will enable the organization to enhance its services for visible minority newcomer women in Toronto.” – The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport

Essential Statistics

• Visible minority newcomer women have the lowest median annual income among newcomer groups at $26,624, compared to $30,074 for non-visible minority newcomer women, $35,574 for visible minority men, and $42,591 for non-visible minority men.
• The unemployment rate for visible minority newcomer women is 9.7%, higher than that of visible minority (8.5%) and non-visible minority (6.4%) newcomer men, as per the 2016 Census.

Further Information

• Supporting Visible Minority Newcomer Women

Contact Information

For media inquiries:

Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

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