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Richmond Electoral District
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Language Classes and Immigration
Mississauga, November 28, 2010 — Language Training Vouchers are increasing immigrant enrollment in English and French language classes, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today at the Punjabi Community Health Services Centre.
Preliminary results from the Language Training Vouchers pilot project show that more than twice the number of immigrants who received vouchers enrolled in free language training compared to those who did not receive vouchers, and that immigrant women were those most likely to enroll in language classes after receiving a voucher.
Language training in English or French has historically been provided free of charge for immigrants and still is. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has tripled immigrant settlement funding for organizations that provide services to newcomers such as English and French language training. Unfortunately, despite the tripling in funding since 2006, enrollment in language classes has not significantly increased. Only 25 percent of immigrants sign up for settlement services.
Under the Language Training Vouchers pilot project, which was launched in October 2009, 2,000 immigrants, chosen randomly in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta, were mailed vouchers that they could take to an immigrant settlement service centre provider of their choice. This gave them the same right as those not in the pilot: the ability to enroll in free, federally-funded language training known as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC). The difference was, those in the pilot received a special voucher that they could redeem at the immigrant settlement provider of their choice for language classes. Within six months of the vouchers being sent, immigrants selected to take part in the pilot were more than 100 percent more likely to enroll in free language classes than those who were not part of the pilot.
“I have always believed in the ability of vouchers to encourage competition, promote accountability, and empower the recipients,” said Minister Kenney. “The success of our Language Training Vouchers pilot project shows that, when it comes to immigrants, not only do vouchers work in theory, they also work in practice. No initiative undertaken since I have been minister has so radically and fundamentally increased enrollment in English and French language training among immigrants.”
Among those immigrants who were sent vouchers and subsequently enrolled in free language classes, 60 percent were women, compared to 40 percent in the control group that did not receive the vouchers.
“Language Training Vouchers are empowering immigrant women, who are enrolling in language classes in even greater numbers than men,” said Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, and a former ESL teacher with a PhD in Instruction and Curriculum. “Vouchers are empowering immigrant women in their homes and at work by giving them the tools they need to speak English or French. Vouchers will better help them integrate into Canada.”
The objective of the project was to test if vouchers could increase enrollment in free, federally funded language training. The project will run until January 2011.
Through the LINC program, immigrants learn not only how to speak, read and write English or French, but also important aspects of integration, such as their rights and responsibilities as future Canadian citizens.
CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society.
For more information on CIC programs, consult our website at www.cic.gc.ca.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868
Ont-Communications@cic.gc.ca
Statement on Wendy Phillips – Governor General’s Literary Award
On November 24, 2010, MP Alice Wong made a statement on the Governor General’s Literary Award to Wendy Phillips:
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The following is a transcript:
Mrs. Alice Wong (Richmond, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, each year, the Governor General and the Canada Council for the Arts collaborate to honour the finest in Canadian literature.
The Governor General said, “These artists, through their passion, ignite our love of reading with every new book”.
I wish to especially celebrate the achievement of a Richmond constituent, a teacher and librarian at A. R. MacNeill Secondary School. Wendy Phillips won the 2010 award for her children’s book Fishtailing.
The jury stated, “In this highly inventive, poetic narrative, four compelling characters take the reader on a wild ride through the dangerous terrain of friendships threatened by manipulative acts. Wendy Phillips creates a powerful momentum in Fishtailing that leaves the reader breathless”.
I congratulate Wendy on her fine achievement in literature. Richmond is proud of her.
Statement on the death of Hon. David Lam
On November 23, 2010, MP Alice Wong made a statement on the passing away of the Honourable David Lam, former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia:
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Mrs. Alice Wong (Richmond, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of the 25th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable David Lam, who died Monday at the age of 87.
David Lam was an inspiration for all Canadians. His intelligence, generosity, passion for life and love for his community are a few of his many qualities that will be missed.
David Lam encouraged the integration of immigrant Canadians into Canadian life, myself being one. He was a bridge for many new Canadians and he preached and practised the understanding of Canadian values.
He was a humble person, but very strong in his ways. Although his service to the province of British Columbia in the capacity of Lieutenant Governor granted him the official title of “honourable”, it is also a title he rightly deserved for his service to mankind.
I feel privileged to have known him and his late wife, Dorothy. Our country is all the richer for the years that they lived among us and for the many lives they touched.
Consulting Canadians about Budget 2011
The Ministry of Finance is holding a consultation with Canadians with regards to how Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to shape the country’s economic future in Budget 2011.
As part of efforts to listen to a wide variety of opinions, the Government is also conducting online consultations, which begins today (November 19, 2010). Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.
You can also view the original Ministry of Finance press release on the matter by clicking here.
Members’ Statement on International Trade with India
On November 16, 2010, MP Alice Wong made a statement in the House of Commons regarding International Trade with India:
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Mrs. Alice Wong (Richmond, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, Canadians can count on their government to oppose protectionism and defend free trade on the world stage.
Today the Minister of International Trade was in Delhi to launch the first round of negotiations towards a Canada-India free trade agreement. Protectionism continues to threaten long-term economic recovery for Canada and, indeed, for the whole world. This free trade agreement will help businesses and workers expand market opportunities and promote prosperity and job creation in both countries.
A recent joint study showed that such an agreement could deliver a boost to Canada’s economy of $6 billion to $15 billion, increase bilateral trade with India by 50% and directly benefit Canadian sectors ranging from agriculture, resource-related and chemical products to transport equipment, machinery and services.
Both Canada and India recognize we need the kind of benefits and opportunities that a Canada-India free trade agreement would provide.
Remembrance Day Remarks from Alice Wong
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On behalf of Richmond, I would like to express remembrance to those that have served our country in times of war; and to those families that have lost their loved ones.
You have fought for the democratic principles we believe in: freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association.
Canada Remembers.
Canada Health Act Information – Extra-billing and user charges
As a result of a recent news article, we are posting the following information on the Canada Health Act, specifically with respect to extra billing and user charges. You can read the entire Canada Health Act by clicking here.
Under section 18 to 21 (Extra Billing and User Charges), the Act states (emphasis added on Section 20):
Extra-billing
18. In order that a province may qualify for a full cash contribution referred to in section 5 for a fiscal year, no payments may be permitted by the province for that fiscal year under the health care insurance plan of the province in respect of insured health services that have been subject to extra-billing by medical practitioners or dentists.User charges
19. (1) In order that a province may qualify for a full cash contribution referred to in section 5 for a fiscal year, user charges must not be permitted by the province for that fiscal year under the health care insurance plan of the province.Limitation
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of user charges for accommodation or meals provided to an in-patient who, in the opinion of the attending physician, requires chronic care and is more or less permanently resident in a hospital or other institution.Deduction for extra-billing
20. (1) Where a province fails to comply with the condition set out in section 18, there shall be deducted from the cash contribution to the province for a fiscal year an amount that the Minister, on the basis of information provided in accordance with the regulations, determines to have been charged through extra-billing by medical practitioners or dentists in the province in that fiscal year or, where information is not provided in accordance with the regulations, an amount that the Minister estimates to have been so charged.Deduction for user charges
(2) Where a province fails to comply with the condition set out in section 19, there shall be deducted from the cash contribution to the province for a fiscal year an amount that the Minister, on the basis of information provided in accordance with the regulations, determines to have been charged in the province in respect of user charges to which section 19 applies in that fiscal year or, where information is not provided in accordance with the regulations, an amount that the Minister estimates to have been so charged.
The Minister of Health makes the determination whether there has been user charges or extra billing that has occurred in respect to insured health services.
Also, the phrase “cash contribution” in the above legislative text is commonly referred to in the media as “transfer payments”, or sometimes “health transfers”.