Quebec announced new measures for the integration of immigrants into the job

The Quebec provincial government has announced to invest $68 million over the next three years for the implementation of many labor market measures, which will help internationally trained newcomers to the province find work in their field of specialty more quickly.

As announced, more than $22 million will be used each fiscal year through to 2011 for the implementation of 18 labor market measures that have been designed to open the doors of employment for foreign trained newcomers and will contribute to the growth of businesses in the context of globalization.

Of the $68 million, $6 million over three years has been earmarked for one of the eighteen measures known as Challenge Montreal. This Internet website project will invite partners in the labor market of Montreal to mobilize in order to capitalize more on the professional skills of Montreal and their immigrants so that companies in the metropolis in search of skilled and competent rally. This website project is expected to bring significant impact in Montreal that is the home of around three quarters of total newcomers to the province.

Moreover, the Regional Council of labor market partners Montreal will be assigned responsibility to provide regional leadership to find answers to problems employability of people with immigrant backgrounds. The Council, with the CRE, the City of Montreal and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, in particular, will propose ways to improve the existing service offering.

In addition to this $68 million funding, the Department of Immigration and Cultural Communities have already invested substantial sums in services francization and integration of newcomers. In 2006-2007, Department devoted for this purpose more than $50 million in Montreal. The Ministry has also signed an agreement of $4.5 million over three years with the city of Montreal for the implementation of an action plan on the integration of immigrants in French in the Montreal community.