by: Radhika Panjwani
A 95-page book providing useful information for newcomers to Canada was released yesterday at the Living Arts Centre by Ontario's Fairness Commissioner. It's the first time such a comprehensive guide has been published in Ontario. A Newcomer's Guide to Services in Peel, Halton and Dufferin was developed by the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board (PHDTB), a non-profit community organization. Ontario's Fairness Commissioner, Dr. Jean Augustine, was on hand to launch the guide. The resource directory contains information on a variety of subjects, such as applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, finding an apartment, job search, finding a family doctor and more. More than two years ago, the PHDTB determined there was a need for such a document, so the training board took the lead in getting the book published.
“When the issue concerning newcomers came up, one of the key challenges identified was that when newcomers come to Canada, they have a hard time finding the various places needed for their transition into the Canadian life,” said Shalini da Cunha, PHDTB executive director. “Our biggest priority should be to put all the information into a compact document so that the newcomers aren't frustrated and their journey into Canadian life is less stressful.” The book is partly funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, which gave the training board $35,000. The books will be handed out to newcomers when they get their SIN or health cards. Employment Ontario, which funds the PHDTB, provided seed money for the book, and the cost of printing was provided by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Augustine, who heads Ontario's first-ever Fairness Commission, promised to work with different agencies to ensure the process of accreditation for foreign trained workers is simple, transparent and fair. “We want individuals to know that the Fairness Commission is not an ombudsman's office, but our mandate is to understand what the issues are and then talk to the regulatory bodies about them,” Augustine said. “This book is very important because not only does it give information in terms of telephone numbers, addresses, but it also shows there's a whole network of support within the community.”
A 95-page book providing useful information for newcomers to Canada was released yesterday at the Living Arts Centre by Ontario's Fairness Commissioner. It's the first time such a comprehensive guide has been published in Ontario. A Newcomer's Guide to Services in Peel, Halton and Dufferin was developed by the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board (PHDTB), a non-profit community organization. Ontario's Fairness Commissioner, Dr. Jean Augustine, was on hand to launch the guide. The resource directory contains information on a variety of subjects, such as applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, finding an apartment, job search, finding a family doctor and more. More than two years ago, the PHDTB determined there was a need for such a document, so the training board took the lead in getting the book published.
“When the issue concerning newcomers came up, one of the key challenges identified was that when newcomers come to Canada, they have a hard time finding the various places needed for their transition into the Canadian life,” said Shalini da Cunha, PHDTB executive director. “Our biggest priority should be to put all the information into a compact document so that the newcomers aren't frustrated and their journey into Canadian life is less stressful.” The book is partly funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, which gave the training board $35,000. The books will be handed out to newcomers when they get their SIN or health cards. Employment Ontario, which funds the PHDTB, provided seed money for the book, and the cost of printing was provided by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Augustine, who heads Ontario's first-ever Fairness Commission, promised to work with different agencies to ensure the process of accreditation for foreign trained workers is simple, transparent and fair. “We want individuals to know that the Fairness Commission is not an ombudsman's office, but our mandate is to understand what the issues are and then talk to the regulatory bodies about them,” Augustine said. “This book is very important because not only does it give information in terms of telephone numbers, addresses, but it also shows there's a whole network of support within the community.”
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