The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) congratulates Charles Sousa (MPP - Mississauga South) on his appointment as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI).
OCASI wrote to the new Minister to highlight priorities and concerns for Ontario's immigrant and refugee serving sector.
They include the need for provincial investment in settlement and integration services including the Newcomer Settlement Program (NSP); improving labour market integration for immigrants; negotiating a new immigration agreement for Ontario (the first agreement was signed in November 2005 and expired in March 2010); the OCASI-led research initiative ‘Making Ontario Home'; access to healthcare; and growing levels of immigrant poverty, particularly among racialized immigrants.
Click here for the OCASI letter to Minister Sousa.
Minister Sousa was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 2007 provincial election. He served as Minister of Labour from December 16, 2010 to October 20, 2011.
Click here for more information about Minister Sousa posted on the MCI website.
OCASI will continue our efforts advance equity for immigrants and refugees in Ontario through dialogue with the new Cabinet.