Introduction

This past January, I was honoured to join Premier McGuinty’s Cabinet to serve the people of Ontario as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.  In the eight months since, I have been fortunate to meet many Ontarians from all backgrounds. With this newsletter, it is my aim to provide you with timely and useful information about the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

Every month you will get updates on existing programs, information about new initiatives and important dates to remember. This month we report on the economic integration of our skilled newcomers and on Honours and Awards e-nominations. There is also an update on the Partnership Project between the Ministry and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

In coming months we will report on the ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge and give you an update on the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.

If you have any ideas or subjects that you would like to see covered, please feel free to let me know at Minister.Hoskins@ontario.ca.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Eric Hoskins

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

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Helping newcomers find jobs in their field

The economic integration of our newcomers is a goal that our Ministry takes very seriously, and it’s at the top of our agenda.

We know, for instance, that Ontario’s newcomers were hit harder than most by the global economic downturn.  Helping our newcomers find good jobs – jobs that help them put their talent, skills and experience to work for Ontario – is an economic imperative for the province, especially as our demographics change.

And so we are working not only at the government level, but also with employers, community agencies, educators, and newcomers themselves – as full and equal partners – to help our skilled newcomers get the additional training and credentials they need to find jobs in their field. 

For example, through Ontario’s Bridge Training programs, we are helping Ontario’s newcomers adapt their skills with the needs of the province’s workforce, helping them get the training and develop the networks they’ll need to succeed in Ontario.

Earlier this summer, Minister Hoskins also visited a number of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across the province to talk with business leaders about the economic case for diversity.  Especially as they recruit and hire, employers are an important partner in ensuring that our newcomers have the opportunity to put their skills to work for the Ontario economy.   

We often say that “when newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds.”  We believe strongly that this is, and will continue to be, the case.  We hope we can keep working with you to achieve that important goal.

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Opening the doors to Queen’s Park

In June Minister Hoskins hosted the first in a series of Minister’s Open Houses called “Open the Doors to Queen’s Park.”

These events bring together community leaders of all backgrounds to discuss ways in which the Government of Ontario can continue to serve their needs, and how their communities can become more involved in government. 

At the event, hosted by Hamlin Grange, co-founder of DiversiPro; community leaders heard about Ontario's public appointments process to the government’s Agencies, Boards, and Commissions, as well as diversity in the Ontario Public Service, Global Experience Ontario and the great strides the Ontario Public Service is making to be a more open and welcoming place.

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“This open house,” said Minister Hoskins at the event “is a call to action for community leaders from across this province. The Legislature belongs to the people of Ontario, and the doors of Queen’s Park are always open to you.”

Tell us how government can work better with not-for-profits and the volunteer community

In April, Minister Hoskins and Helen Burstyn, Chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation launched the Partnership Project, a discussion on how government and the not-for-profit sector can work better together. Since then, more than 600 people have given their views either in person at roundtable discussions being held across Ontario or through the www.partnershipproject website.

We have heard many ideas from the sector on how government can improve the working relationship with the not-for-profit sector.

We’ve been greatly encouraged by the input we’ve received so far during our roundtable discussions and we expect that we will hear more ideas online.

Our aim is to attract a broad cross-section of participants and opinions through roundtables and on on-line. The website features an interactive discussion blog as well as a portal where you can submit research or other relevant documents.

The outcome of our work will be presented to the Premier by the end of December, 2010. It will be a strategy that offers a set of practical, concrete recommendations on how to strengthen the partnership between government and the not-for-profit sector.

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Nominate someone right now

Nominations for all 14 Honours and Awards programs are open year-round through e-nominations.  The Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat administers programs that recognize achievement in volunteerism, outstanding lifetime achievement through the Order of Ontario, work in helping to eliminate racism, honouring outstanding seniors and many more programs. You can fill out online nomination templates in no time from virtually anywhere — your home, your work or any public computer.

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Keep spreading the news

We have tried to send this as far and wide as possible but no doubt we have missed someone who would like to keep up-to-date. If you know of anyone who would be interested in receiving this please send it on and encourage them to sign up.

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