LIENS immigrant integration project renewed for three more years

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – May 11, 2012 – The LIENS program, which strives to help integrate French-speaking immigrants and newcomers into the Island workforce, has just been extended for a third phase that will last three years.

Bonnie Gallant, executive director of RDÉE Prince Edward Island (the provincial francophone economic development council) delivered the good news Friday morning, following the launch of three promotional items that had been produced during the LIENS project’s second phase.

« I’m very happy to inform you that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has allocated us a grand total of $258,840 for the organization of the project’s activities, which will take place over the next three years. »

« We are very thankful for CIC’s funding support and we are presently in discussions with the Province of PEI to look at the possibility of supplementary funding for this wonderful project and its very interesting activities. »

The activities from the third phase include:

  • organizing a national forum next spring to raise awareness about the integration of immigrants;
  • continuing the organization of training workshops;
  • organizing site visits to Island businesses;
  • establishing a mentorship program;
  • organizing an internship program;
  • developing and hosting a web portal.

The first phase of the LIENS project, which took place over a two-month period, studied available support services for the employment of immigrants to determine any gaps.

The second phase, over a seven-month period, included information sessions for entrepreneurs on support services available to help them hire immigrant workers as well as awareness workshops on the integration of newcomers for employers. Three promotional tools were also developed: an insert about French services on the Island to be added to the PEI Newcomers Guide, a video-clip on the value of hiring immigrants and a French version of the PEI Connectors pamphlet (in collaboration with the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce).

The French acronym LIENS translates to « Linking economic immigration to our successes ».

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CUTLINE: Shown during the May 10 conference in Charlottetown to launch promotional tools for the LIENS project are RDÉE staff, from left, Bonnie Gallant, executive director, showing the French insert to the PEI Newcomers Guide; Gary Doucette, assistant executive director, showing the new French version of the PEI Connectors program, for which he is now a « connector » for French-speaking clients; and Christian Gallant, development officer responsible for the Immigration sector, showing the new promotional video.

For more information:
Christian Gallant
Development officer responsible for the Immigration sector
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 370-7333