We often speak about the success of second and third generation immigrant youth in terms of educational attainment, professional status achieved or public profile they receive because they have been appointed by one government or another to a public role. Rarely do we pay attention and applaud when they are engaged in political activism on the ground following their gut instincts, that when the most vulnerable amongst us are hurt, abused and even killed, they have a responsibility to speak out to try to right the wrongs - in short to spark a revolution.
Next Stop Canada - Online Pre-Arrival Settlement Services
Next Stop Canada, launched on April 1, 2016 by the YMCA of Greater Toronto, is the home of online pre-arrival programs designed for overseas immigrants whose Permanent Residence application is in its final stages. This virtual platform will deliver newcomers with free online settlement information, orientation and referrals services and will help them prepare for their new life in Canada.
The OCASI website has a new look, designed for better accessibility and making it easier to find content. We will continue to make improvements to site to let you find what you want quickly and easily. Let us know what you think, including your ideas for more improvements and content.
OCASI welcomes proposed new funding for immigrant settlement programs; and welcomes reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program together with new funding. Follow link for OCASI comments on these and other Federal Budget highlights of interest to Ontario's immigrant and refugee-serving sector.
A new report concludes that all migrant workers should have access to settlement services and permanent residence. The report, “Migrant Workers: Precarious and Unsupported”, was released on March 29, 2016 by Canada’s nine national, regional and provincial umbrellas of organizations serving newcomers including OCASI.
Check out our new look @ Newyouth.ca, redesign by OCASI’s New Media Team with input from youth workers and newcomer youth from diverse communities.
The site provides settlement information to young newcomers in clear and appropriate language, using multimedia technology and social media - FacebookTwitterYouTube. Newcomer youth can ask questions and receive accurate information and referrals from qualified peers and professionals.
Check out this link for the many events commemorating Refugee Rights Month in Toronto. We mark Refugee Rights Day on April 4 every year in Canada to commemorate the 1985 Supreme Court “Singh’ decision recognizing that refugees have fundamental rights. Join us to commemorate this important anniversary for refugee rights and justice.
Registration for 2016-2017 Refugee Mental Health Project Courses Sessions will open soon. The sessions are appropriate for Ontario Settlement and Social Service providers, and for Healthcare providers.Read more »
The City of Toronto is looking at ways to make public transit more affordable for people with low incomes, and wants to hear from residents who make less than $36,000 a year. Click here for the fare survey in English, French, Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional), Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tamil (Sri Lankan), Tagalog, Urdu.
Immigration, Business Ownership and Employment in Canada
This Statistics Canada report gives an overview of immigrant business ownership and associated employment in Canada. While immigrant business ownership rates are low immediately after entry, after four to eight years in Canada they surpass those of the comparison group (largely Canadian-born). Statistics Canada had released a paper on Changing Immigrant Characteristics and Entry Earnings in February 2016.
Community groups are deeply concerned by Ontario's new regulations on carding and street checks by Police. The African Canadian Legal Clinic and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations say the regulations will not address anti-black racism and profiling of black youth. The regulations were released on March 22, 2016.
We often speak about the success of second and third generation immigrant youth in terms of educational attainment, professional status achieved or public profile they receive because they have been appointed by one government or another to a public role. Rarely do we pay attention and applaud when they are engaged in political activism on the ground following their gut instincts, that when the most vulnerable amongst us are hurt, abused and even killed, they have a responsibility to speak out to try to right the wrongs - in short to spark a revolution. 
Next Stop Canada, launched on April 1, 2016 by the YMCA of Greater Toronto, is the home of online pre-arrival programs designed for overseas immigrants whose Permanent Residence application is in its final stages. This virtual platform will deliver newcomers with free online settlement information, orientation and referrals services and will help them prepare for their new life in Canada.
Check out this link for the many events commemorating Refugee Rights Month in Toronto. We mark Refugee Rights Day on April 4 every year in Canada to commemorate the 1985 Supreme Court “Singh’ decision recognizing that refugees have fundamental rights. Join us to commemorate this important anniversary for refugee rights and justice.
Registration for 2016-2017 Refugee Mental Health Project Courses Sessions will open soon. The sessions are appropriate for Ontario Settlement and Social Service providers, and for Healthcare providers.