For over four decades, MOSAIC has been at the forefront of enhancing the lives of immigrants, refugees, and temporary foreign workers in British Columbia, solidifying its position as one of Canada’s foremost providers of settlement, family, employment, language, interpretation, and translation services.
MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova presented a series of pre-budget recommendations to the federal House of Commons Finance Committee in Vancouver during its tour to collect feedback from the business and social services sector.
Presented on November 17, to further support the well-being and economic outcomes of newcomers, MOSAIC is putting forth three recommendations to the Canadian federal government.
Recommendation One: Federal housing strategy aligned with Canada’s immigration growth
In 2022, Canada celebrated record-breaking immigration numbers, welcoming over 430,000 permanent residents, a 20 per cent surge in temporary foreign workers, and a rebound in international student figures to pre-pandemic levels. As Canada’s immigration targets continue to increase, MOSAIC emphasizes the need for increased support in secure and affordable housing in order to attract and settle internationally trained immigrants.
MOSAIC recommends a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers, such as the lack of Canadian references, credit history, and affordable housing. MOSAIC proposes increased federal leadership, coupled with funding incentives, to encourage collaborative efforts by provinces and municipalities in expanding the supply of affordable housing, specifically Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) units. Additionally, MOSAIC suggests the integration of affordable housing units for newcomers in new residential developments, fostering a supportive environment for their initial five years in Canada.
Recommendation Two: Investment in Canadian work experience and training programs
Recognizing the barrier of lack of Canadian work experience for recent immigrants, MOSAIC advocates for targeted funding to establish Canadian work experience and training programs for newcomers. By mirroring successful frameworks supporting youth work experience through co-op placements and internships, MOSAIC envisions a strategy that provides newcomers with occupation-specific training, hands-on workplace experience, and mentorship opportunities.
Considering rapid technological advancements, MOSAIC calls for the acknowledgment of the evolving role employers play in on-the-job training. Drawing from MOSAIC’s experience in running short-term pilot programs that work with employers on the design and delivery of training programs and work placements, the organization proposes the creation of a permanent funding envelope for industry-led training and job placement programs. These programs respond to market needs, ensuring sustainable and impactful opportunities for newcomers.
Recommendation Three: Core funding for non-profit organizations
MOSAIC underscores the vital role played by the non-profit sector in delivering essential services. Charitable organizations and non-profits alike employ 2.4 million people across Canada and contribute $192 billion to Canada’s economy annually. Yet non-profits continue to face sustainability challenges due to inadequate funding models.
MOSAIC advocates for core funding for non-profit organizations, recognizing the required investments in staffing, financial management, data security, technology, evaluation, communications and infrastructure. The organization highlights the mismatch between the sector’s essential requirements and current funding mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of stable, long-term funding to enable non-profits to respond effectively to community needs.
For more information, read MOSAIC’s 2024 pre-budget consultation recommendations available for download.
