Support for immigrants in the qathet region will be reduced after funding for services was discontinued.
For the past 14 years, Lift Community Services Immigration Services program received federal funding to support the region’s immigrants, with 85 percent of it coming from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
They say funding was discontinued when their application to renew funding was denied by IRCC as immigration levels are being lowered over the next three years.
Community Resources Manager Jessica Colasanto says that decision will have a devastating effect on the community.
“Our services are a lifeline to local immigrants and helps them contribute to and thrive in qathet,” said Colasanto.
“Our provincial funding, which makes up the remaining 15%, is intended to cover anything that IRCC funding does not cover.”
Executive Director Kim Markel says the decision is worrisome on a few levels because of the awareness of the needs of communities, and the message it sends.
“I don’t think the general public is aware of how much our local medical, health, childcare and hospitality sectors rely on immigrants,” said Markel.
“These changes in funding and immigration targets will make it harder and harder for immigrants to settle in Canada.”
Because of this decision, the organization says they will have to scale back their services, expecting staff to be displaced and transition any available services to different program sites.
They are currently working on a plan to keep supports for the immigrants that need them, all while working with partners to explore opportunities to adapt service delivery to mitigate impacts.
