Integration Programs

Canadian Government offers numerous programs and services to help newly arrived immigrants adapt and settle in Canada. They help newcomers to become self-reliant, participating members of Canadian society as quickly as possible.

Through the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP), funds are provided to deliver direct and essential services to newcomers. These services include reception and orientation, translation and interpretation, referral to community resources, para-professional counselling, general information and employment-related services.

ISAP also funds projects designed to complement or improve the delivery of settlement services. These include research projects on settlement and integration, seminars and conferences to share information about settlement and integration activities, and training of ISAP-supported agency staff.

Funds are provided to recruit, train, match and monitor volunteers (individuals and groups) who help newcomers to adapt, settle and integrate into Canadian life.

Settlement programs and services are also delivered through a network of regional settlement units and non-governmental organizations. Who offers these programs and services may vary across Canada, since different provinces have different immigration agreements with the federal government

Many of the organizations represent different multicultural agencies and associations. They may provide language training, or help find housing, or look for a job. Some of these organizations can provide these services in newcomers' first language. Numerous immigrant-serving organizations offer many of their services free.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) funds basic instruction in one of Canada's official languages to meet adult newcomers' integration needs, regardless of whether or not they plan to get a job. LINC may include full- or part-time training, self-assisted and distance learning, or community or institutionally based programs, according to the newcomer's abilities and needs. LINC is free to all immigrants.