Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

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

On November 24, 2010, MP Alice Wong made a statement on the Governor General’s Literary Award to Wendy Phillips:

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Canada Remembers.

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”.

The Board of Internal Economy has released the expense reports for all Members of Parliament for the April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 fiscal year. You can view the report by member by clicking here.

Although this is not a competition, MP Alice Wong’s Members’ Expenditures ranked 29 out of 34 members (i.e. was the 5th lowest) in British Columbia (this excludes two members that were elected through by-elections in the fiscal year).

The salient details are attached here. For information, our previous year’s 2008-2009 fiscal year expenses are reported here.

Bill C-49 was introduced to the House of Commons today. It addresses the issue of human smuggling, and specifically does the following:

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SUMMARY
This enactment amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to, among other things,

(a) authorize the Minister, in certain circumstances, to designate as an irregular arrival the arrival in Canada of a group of persons, the result of which is that some of the foreign nationals in the group become designated foreign nationals;

(b) authorize an officer or the Minister, as the case may be, to refuse to consider an application for permanent residence if the applicant has failed to comply with a condition of release or other requirement imposed on them;

(c) provide that a person may not become a permanent resident as long as an application by the Minister for cessation of that person’s refugee protection is pending;

(d) add, as grounds for the detention of a permanent resident or foreign national, the existence of reasonable grounds to suspect that the person concerned is inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality, criminality or organized criminality;

(e) provide that the Immigration Division must impose any prescribed conditions on the release of certain designated foreign nationals;

(f) provide for detention rules and a review procedure that are specific to the detention of certain designated foreign nationals;

(g) clarify the authority of the Governor in Council to make regulations in respect of conditions of release from detention;

(h) provide that certain designated foreign nationals may not apply to become permanent residents until the expiry of a certain period and that the processing of any pending applications for permanent residence is suspended for a certain period;

(i) require certain designated foreign nationals on whom refugee protection has been conferred to report to an officer;

(j) authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations respecting the reporting requirements imposed on certain designated foreign nationals;

(k) provide that the offence of human smuggling is committed when a person organizes the coming into Canada of another person and knows, or is reckless as to whether, the entry into Canada is or would be in contravention of the Act;

(l) provide for minimum punishments for the offence of human smuggling in certain circumstances;

(m) in respect of the determination of the penalty to be imposed for certain offences, add as an aggravating factor the endangerment of the life or safety of any person as a result of the commission of the offence;

(n) change the definition of “criminal organization” in Part 3 to give it the same meaning as in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code; and

(o) extend the time for instituting proceedings by way of summary conviction from six months to five years.

The enactment also amends the Balanced Refugee Reform Act to provide that a refugee protection claimant whose claim is rejected is not prevented from applying for protection earlier than 12 months after the day on which the claim is rejected, if it is rejected as a result of a vacation of the initial decision to allow the claim.

The enactment also amends the Marine Transportation Security Act to increase the penalties for persons who fail to provide information required to be reported before a vessel enters Canadian waters or to comply with ministerial directions and for persons who provide false or misleading information. It creates a new offence for vessels that fail to comply with ministerial directions. It also amends the Act to authorize regulations respecting the disclosure of certain information for the purpose of protecting the safety or security of Canada or Canadians.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, October 9, 2010—Richmond youth will have the opportunity to meet local employers and explore career possibilities in their community thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that young Canadians have the skills and information they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Dr. Wong. “Our government is proud to support activities like this one that benefit both employers and youth.”

The Richmond Youth Service Agency will receive over $19,000 through the Government of Canada’s Youth Awareness program to organize the 4th annual U‑Connect Career and Community Fair. The event will introduce youth to a variety of local employers and community agencies, as well as employment opportunities and career possibilities available in the region.

“It is critical that young people, and those that support them, are able to connect with opportunities that help them identify and achieve their education, career and life goals,” said Mr. Marshall Thompson, Executive Director of the Richmond Youth Service Agency. “Our agency believes that connecting youth to employment, education and community supports will ensure that all youth are prepared to succeed both today and tomorrow. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to support youth, our community and local employers in reaching these goals.”

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

Youth Awareness is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Youth Awareness program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one‑stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.