Canada is actively working with many partners to improve the accessibility and quality of settlement services delivered to newcomers across Canada. Settlement services help newcomers integrate into Canadian communities.
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is launching a new project focusing on breaking down barriers faced by newcomers. This includes linguistic and cultural hurdles to accessing health care, as well as helping newcomers learn about Canada’s universal health-care system.
CHEO’s Newcomer Navigator program helps newcomers navigate the pediatric health-care system. The hospital has also created a toolkit for other newcomer-serving organizations to use to support clients who want to access health care.
As part of this new project, CHEO plans to create a nationwide Newcomer Navigator Network. This will ensure standardized service delivery by organizations across the country that deliver health care to both children and adults, as well as those in the settlement sector. The National Newcomer Navigator Network will be developed through outreach and needs assessment activities with the provinces.
The Government has a dedicated service delivery improvements fund to improve, innovate and experiment to find better ways to deliver services to and meet the needs of newcomers and support their integration into Canada.
Quick facts
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Service Delivery Improvements (SDI) funding is a dedicated stream within the Settlement Program of almost $150 million over 5 years. The funding was allocated to the department through the 2017 Immigration Levels Plan.
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Following the first expression of interest process for SDI launched in fall 2017, IRCC is now funding more than 100 projects across the country.
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There are 7 funding streams under the SDI:
- language acquisition
- employment
- youth supports
- harnessing volunteers and supporting capacity-building in the settlement sector
- pay for performance
- newcomer well-being and programming to support vulnerable clients, and
- research and analysis to drive innovation and understand the user experience