News

Latest news happening in the settlement sector of Ontario.

Here we post new publications (studies, reports), government notices and more.

OCASI Member Survey

Collectively, we have a deep impact on building welcoming and inclusive communities for everyone and facilitating the settlement of refugees and im/migrants. Help us to tell the story of our impact by completing the OCASI 2023 Member Survey. It will take about 15 minutes of your time!

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is looking to partner with settlement agencies and provide basic health and safety training to newcomers

We are looking to partner with you to deliver basic worker health and safety awareness sessions to newcomers. Using a train-the-trainer approach, we would equip you with the resources, skills and support necessary to deliver these sessions to your clients, at your location.

Canada launches new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents

May 31, 2023—Ottawa—With employers eagerly seeking to fill countless vacant positions across the country, immigration emerges as a vital piece to solving this puzzle. Recognizing this reality, the Government of Canada is building an immigration system that acts as a catalyst for growth, empowering businesses, helping address their labour needs and strengthening French communities.

'Nothing to come back to,' says Ukrainian woman in Canada, her beloved home destroyed

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press March 27, 2023

Oleksandra Verovkina and her son, Danylo, would stroll half a block through the back alley behind their apartment to a large forest. They would walk hand in hand beneath the tall trees, the air filled with the scent of pine resin, until the three-year old lost steam, and then return home.

Responding to Intimate Partner Violence: Refugee Assistance Program Workers Relaunch

Refugee women sometimes experience intimate partner violence. Do you know how pre-migration and migration trauma can impact the safety of refugee women and their families? Do you know how to work collaboratively with violence against women experts in your community? Does your organization have policies and protocols in place to help you respond safely and effectively to situations of intimate partner violence?

We hope that you will accept our invitation to take advantage of this free training for yourself or your organization to help standardize your RAP workers' approach to aiding female refugee survivors of violence.

Visitors can continue to apply for work permits inside Canada with temporary policy extended by 2 years

Ottawa, February 28, 2023—Foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors and who receive a valid job offer will continue to be able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country. Visitors applying under this public policy who held a work permit within the last 12 months will also continue to be able to request interim work authorization to begin working for their new employer more quickly. Set to expire today, this COVID-era temporary public policy has been extended by 2 years, until February 28, 2025.