Ontario Launches Government Outreach Program to Help Newcomers Succeed in the Workplace

The McGuinty government is lending a helping hand to newcomers. Ontario's new initiative is aimed at aiding newly-landed immigrants understand their rights and responsibilities in Canada so that they can stay safe and prosper in the workplace.

Over the next three months, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mario G. Racco, will be introducing a health, safety and employment standards education campaign to various immigrant associations. These groups specifically include the Arab Federation, the Chinese Professional Association of Canada, the Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services, the Canadian Netherlands Business & Professional Association, the Korean Canadian Association of Metro Toronto, the Ontario Korean Businessman's Association and the Federation of Export Clubs of Canada.

"As an immigrant to Ontario, I understand how important it is for newcomers to be able to work and accomplish in their new businesses," Racco said. "By presenting useful information in a language that is understandable, I hope to help our neighbours achieve the success that they want in their new home."

"Ontario's future prosperity depends on the success of newcomers," explains Mike Colle, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. "That's why our government is taking strong and practical action to make sure newcomers know their rights and succeed in the workplace."

Specific initiatives include:

• Developing community partnerships with the Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS), reaching out to vulnerable workers, providing multilingual information about employment rights.
• Launching a two-year partnership agreement with the Settlement and Integration Organization (SISO) of Hamilton where councilors and staff were trained to explain workers' rights in over 40 languages
• Ongoing outreach with ministry staff offering presentations to a variety of community organizations.