Supporting Visible Minority Newcomer Women in Vancouver
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Empowering Women Through Employment Initiatives
On January 30, 2019, in Vancouver, BC, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its dedication to supporting newcomers by providing essential services to help them integrate into Canadian society. This commitment focuses on maximizing their talents and experiences to contribute effectively to the economy and community.
Visible minority newcomer women often encounter multiple barriers, such as gender discrimination, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate childcare. To tackle these obstacles, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allocated up to $5 million to enhance employment services for these women through 10 service providers across Canada over the next two years.
Enhancing Local Support Networks
The Immigrant Services Society of B.C. offers specialized services like women-only Community Connections peer groups. These initiatives, along with local community capacity-building efforts, aim to improve social and economic integration. With an additional $310,000 in funding, the organization will expand its services to reach more visible minority newcomer women.
By identifying strong existing programs and providing them with additional funding, IRCC aims to immediately increase support capacity for these women. This funding announcement is part of a broader 3-year pilot program aimed at forming new partnerships and creating innovative services to aid visible minority women in the workforce.
Official Statements
“Employment is key to the successful integration of newcomers. Having a job isn’t just about making an economic contribution to Canada, it’s also about providing a sense of dignity and belonging. Visible minority newcomer women can face multiple barriers to employment, including discrimination and lack of affordable childcare. I’m proud that my department has developed a pilot program that will offer direct support and services to these newcomer women as they get ready for the Canadian workforce, look for jobs and develop their careers.”
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“We must do everything we can to support newcomers as they make a new life for themselves in Canada. I’m happy to announce an additional $310,000 of funding for the Immigrant Services Society of B.C.’s employment services, as part of the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot. This new funding will allow the organization to increase their capacity so that they can serve more visible minority newcomer women in Vancouver.”
– The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Key Statistics
- Visible minority newcomer women earn a median annual income of $26,624, which is lower than non-visible minority newcomer women ($30,074), visible minority newcomer men ($35,574), and non-visible minority newcomer men ($42,591).
- The unemployment rate for visible minority newcomer women stands at 9.7%, compared to 8.5% for visible minority newcomer men and 6.4% for non-visible minority newcomer men, as per the 2016 Census.
Additional Resources
Contact Information
Contacts for media only:
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot?
The pilot aims to overcome employment barriers faced by visible minority women, including discrimination and lack of resources, by providing targeted support and services.
How is the additional funding being utilized?
Funds are directed toward enhancing programs and services offered by organizations supporting visible minority newcomer women, increasing their capacity and reach.
Who benefits from the pilot program?
Visible minority newcomer women across Canada, particularly those facing employment challenges, are the primary beneficiaries of this program.
How can organizations participate in the pilot?
Organizations can apply for partnerships through the expression of interest process, seeking funding for innovative programs supporting these women.
Meta Description: Discover how the Canadian government supports visible minority newcomer women in Vancouver, enhancing employment opportunities and integration into society.
