TRIEC believes that policy change is the systemic solution to immigrant employment. We approach this in two ways: by drafting policy recommendations and working directly with all three levels of government.
Visit TRIEC’s policy library to read policy recommendations that we have authored.
TRIEC’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee brings together representatives of ministries and departments from all three levels of government to share information and explore key policy and program issues related to immigrant employment. The committee focused on three priority areas in 2010:
1. Connecting new immigrants to employment-related information
The committee explored new avenues to ensure that skilled immigrants are quickly and effectively connected to the wealth of information that is now available to them in order to accelerate their integration into the labour market. The committee investigated questions of how to better coordinate government sources of information and possible strategies for joint marketing and outreach. The committee continues to pilot new approaches.
2. Discussing income and other supports for skilled immigrants to facilitate access to labour market integration programs
Skilled immigrants are often not eligible for the income supports they need for employment preparation because of eligibility requirements that exclude them. The committee explored several related questions: What is the new thinking on income supports? How can we ensure that immigrants qualify for supports? How do we build the specific needs of immigrants into the design of income supports? While solving these questions is beyond the scope of TRIEC and the committee, a deeper understanding of policy options was important learning.
3. Developing an employer engagement strategy
Labour market programming has been designed largely around the needs of the unemployed individual, and does not have an explicit focus on engaging employers. There is a strong and growing demand from employers for support and learning. Small and medium-sized employers in particular could benefit. The committee continues to explore options for a simplified interface to direct employers to programs and services that will link them with skilled immigrants, and a possible “Employer Gateway.”
Intergovernmental Relations Committee:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Industry Canada
Service Canada
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
City of Toronto
Region of Peel
Regional Municipality of Durham
Regional Municipality of York
