Citizenship And Immigration: Public Conversations

Leadership Debate Dept: For Toronto voters, questions about the commitment of the federal parties to settlement services in this city will be an important part of those discussions. It was encouraging to hear the issue raised by at least two of the federal party leaders during this week s televised leadership debate. We urge all federal leaders and candidates, especially those running in Toronto, to join the conversation, according to The Star. Torontonians understand the lasting value of helping newcomers through a successful transition to life in Canada. So it isn t surprising that when Citizenship and Immigration Canada cut some $43 million in funding to newcomer settlement services across Ontario late last year, Toronto voters took notice and a federal election is here and for a brief time every Canadian has the opportunity to have an impact on our country s future. Voters and candidates alike should remember that the real action happens not during that private moment in the poll booth on May 2, but in the public conversations Canadians are having during these few short weeks leading up to it. Toronto has long been a primary destination for new Canadian families. Nearly three-quarters of Toronto voters have direct ties to immigration. Half of all immigrants in Toronto have been in Canada for less than 15 years. According to 2006 Canada Census data, 267,900 newcomers settled here between 2001 and 2006, accounting for 8.8 per cent of this city s total population. And let s not forget that, although a growing number of newcomers eventually settle in the GTA, the vast majority begin their Canadian journey right here in this city. As reported in the news.
@t citizenship and immigration canada, 2006 canada census