CIMM Committee Report

Dissenting Opinion of the New Democratic Party of Canada

Settlement Services Across Canada

This study heard from 52 witnesses who shared their expertise and opinion regarding all aspects of Canada's settlement services.  Not only did witnesses comment on a wide array of existing settlement services, they also offered their views on the limitations of some these programs, both in scope, duration and availability.  In addition to these shortcomings, they also highlighted the gaps that exist.  The lens in which they view Canada's settlement​ services is based on their experience on the ground with clients and as such, they are able to clearly identify the need.  ​

Pertinent to the delivery of resettlement services​ is the issue of funding.  The impact of the lack of funding or underfunding is significant.  They highlighted for Committee members the potential results of properly funding these critical services. The issue of eligibility was paramount and the witnesses discussed who is eligible for these services, who is ineligible, and where and how eligibility should be expanded.

The Committee’s analysts, as they have throughout this 42^nd Parliament, done a great job of compiling and summarizing as much witness testimony as possible.  That list contains invaluable information on how to support the important work of organizations on the groups and how to improve access and delivery of resettlement services to newcomers.

To that end, while the NDP supports the main report, the NDP is submitting a supplementary report to ensure that many of these sound recommendations from the witnesses are also recognized. However, to do justice to the evidence presented, the NDP believes that the current Standing Order restriction on Supplementary and Dissenting Opinion piece’s length of 10 pages is inadequate.

The NDP is of the opinion that this effectively means the muzzling of the opinion of the opposition through report length constraints.

The testimony and recommendations put forward by witnesses cannot justly be summed up in 10 pages.

As such, the NDP has posted a more robust opinion piece of this study on MP Jenny Kwan, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Immigration’s website.  It can be found here:

https://www.jennykwanndp.ca/in_committee

This more fulsome examination of the study presents 30 recommendations that witnesses informed the Committee would improve settlement services and therefore the integration of newcomers in Canada. When newcomers succeed, everyone wins. Settlement services aim to reduce the steep curve the all newcomers face when they arrive in Canada and start their lives here. It’s a well-placed investment to ensure that everyone in Canada can thrive and have the opportunity to succeed so that they can​contribute to our society to their fullest.

Canada’s settlement services providers made it clear that they are capable, ready, and deeply desire to do more. Their efforts just need to be matched by the political will to enable them.