Language

Language funding in Ontario

Resolution number
5
Whereas
  1. Acquisition of language is key to the educational process;
  2. Adequate language funding in the school system is important to the future success of immigrant and refugee children;
  3. Current Ontario government policy only allow for three years of language support from the time of arrival in Canada;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR write to the Ontario Ministry of Education urging that eligibility for funding for language support:

  1. be extended to at least five years;
  2. be measured relative to the students' arrival in the Ontario school system to allow for adequate support for Canadian born children who start school without English skills and to allow for secondary migration from Quebec.
Working Group
Immigration and Settlement
Subject
Language

Settlement funding allocation

Resolution number
8
Whereas
  1. The need for language training increases in communities affected by secondary migration;
  2. The new funding allocation model does not address the immediate training needs of newcomers now living in affected communities;
  3. These communities have long waiting lists for LINC classes;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR urge CIC to:

  1. Increase the overall amount of money available for immigrant services.
  2. Include a consideration of secondary migration in the calculation of the funding allocation formula.
Working Group
Immigration and Settlement
Subject
Settlement services
Language

ESL literacy programming

Resolution number
5
Whereas
  1. CIC has recently recognized and supported the need for additional language training for skilled immigrants, as demonstrated by the Enhanced Language Training (ELT) funding.
  2. CIC has greatly increased the arrivals of high-needs, low Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)scoring government-assisted refugees (GARs).
  3. Research and experience clearly demonstrate that very low CLB literacy scoring newcomers require substantial additional instruction and support.
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR request CIC to:

  1. Increase the hours of LINC eligibility for low literacy clients.
  2. Provide additional supports for programming targeting such clients over and above standard ESL provisions in the same manner as that for skilled immigrants under the ELT stream.
Working Group
Immigration and Settlement
Subject
Language

Disability

Resolution number
1
Whereas
  1. The settlement service system is currently mandated to provide language training for certain classes of newcomers to Canada;
  2. Language training in the form of sign language training is not consistently provided across the country;
  3. Those who are hearing impaired also have a right to language training;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR communicate with CIC, Manitoba, BC and Québec requesting that they ensure that sign language training and services are available for all hearing impaired persons who qualify for language training.

Working Group
Immigration and Settlement
Subject
Language
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