An investment of $768,000 in the CCMW – (Canadian Council of Muslim Women) located in Ontario showed Canada’s efforts to support newcomer women.
The CCMW – (Canadian Council of Muslim Women) received funding to support their project “Addressing Barriers to Employment for Muslim Women.” The funding will enable the enhancement of recruitment, and retention. As well as career growth opportunities for Muslim women in non-traditional and emerging industries.
Such an investment underscores the importance of organizations across Canada striving to remove obstacles for women in this country. And it will help address the disparities that women face on a daily basis. In Canada, immigrant women face a particularly problematic situation as they remain underrepresented in the labor force.
Following is a general overview of how IRCC and provincial and territorial governments assist new immigrant women entering the country.
Federal
Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot (RNWP) and Women At Risk (WAR), both part of the UPP – (Urgent Protection Program), are two of IRCC’s programs and services that are geared towards assisting women who are immigrating to Canada.
WAR program
The Women at Risk Program (WAR) is an IRCC program offering assistance to “vulnerable or urgently ill women without the requirement of showing settlement potential.”
In addition to passing all necessary entrance exams (medical, security, etc.) for Canadian citizenship, women in the Urgent Protection Program (UPP) must obtain assistance through this program.
RNWP program
By participating in the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot (RNWP) program, racialized newcomer women are given greater opportunities to participate fully and equally in [Canada’s] economy. To improve their career advancement and employment outcomes in Canada. This program provides newcomer women with settlement services and support and strives to help them settle in their new country.
Provincial/Territorial efforts
As a result of local organizations, each Canadian province, and territory offers assistance to newcomer women regarding everything from adjusting to Canada to finding employment, preparing for citizenship exams, and finding mentors (or becoming one).
British Columbia
Founded in Vancouver in 2010, the Women’s Economic Council promotes women’s active engagement in the economy, particularly for those facing a number of systemic obstacles.
Located in Surrey, Umoja Operation Compassion Society assists recent immigrants and refugees from a wide range of backgrounds. Immigrants can take advantage of specialized services tailored specifically to women’s needs. As well as tailored programs to support them in their daily lives, employment endeavors, and day-to-day tasks.
Alberta
In addition to assisting immigrant women in navigating daily routines, finding employment, and gaining mentorship opportunities. Also receiving language training tailored to their needs, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association provides comprehensive programs to assist immigrant women with various aspects of their lives.
Women are empowered through employment services provided by the Growing Changes Employment Association of Alberta in Calgary. Making Changes assists women in advancing their futures within the community by establishing a supportive and safe environment.
Saskatchewan
Canadian newcomer women are supported through LEAD (Saskatoon), which is part of International Women of Saskatoon. A number of resources are available to support employment, job search, settlement, and community engagement.
Manitoba
A jobs services provider that specializes in assisting women to find jobs in Canada, Manitoba Start-Employment Solutions for Newcomers Inc. (Winnipeg) offers programs tailored to women immigrating to Canada.
Ontario
As a multi-cultural health and community services organization in Toronto, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services (Toronto) works to improve health outcomes for immigrants and refugees with poverty-related barriers.
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa offers services and programs focusing on three main areas: settlement, integration, and interpretation and translation.
Quebec
Founded in 1993, the Women’s Centre of Montreal assists recent immigrants who are women with “integration and settlement services through individual support and/or group activities.”
Newfoundland and Labrador
An Association for New Canadians (St. John’s) non-profit entity offers a variety of programs geared toward assisting immigrants with their integration, including settlement information and orientation, language learning, skills training, and employment.
Nova Scotia
It is one of 32 YWCA locations in Canada that are part of the national YWCA network. In addition to providing early learning and childcare, the organization promotes women’s leadership and health and is dedicated to preventing violence against women.
Prince Edward Island
Newcomers to Canada have access to a range of services through the Foreign Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI Inc. (Charlottetown), including language classes and assistance finding employment.
New Brunswick
Founded in 1999, Northwest Resource Centre for Newcomers Inc. assists newcomers in their integration into the community on the basis of social, economic, educational, and cultural issues. Besides networking and support, they also offer resources, education, and mentoring programs.
Nunavut
An organization providing job placement assistance, assistance for recent immigrants, employment, and business assistance is Carrefour Nunavut (Iqaluit).
Northwest Territories
NWT Literacy Council (Yellowknife): Non-profit community organization that fosters literacy and essential skills in all the official languages of the NWT.
Yukon
Based in Whitehorse, the Association franco-yukonnaise is a French-speaking organization that provides specialized services to immigrant women. Their support includes helping women navigate daily life and facilitating job placement.
