Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Funding Shortfall Means Fewer Language Classes For Syrian Refugees

The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2016 12:35 PM
    OTTAWA — Settlement agencies say they are being forced by a shortage of funding to pause or scale back language classes for Syrian refugees.
     
    In Toronto, no classes will be offered this summer by at least one major organization, while in Vancouver, more than 200 spots have been cut.
     
    Agencies say while the federal government has topped up their budgets to handle the influx of Syrian refugees, the money isn't going far enough.
     
     
    Mario Calla, the executive director of Toronto agency COSTI, tells a House of Commons committee that some refugees have only been in the classes for a few months and will now have to put their studies on hold.
     
    Funding for settlement agencies is based on the number of people they served last year — a number that doesn't account for the Liberal push to resettle upwards of 25,000 Syrians in a matter of months.
     
    The committee has already been told the cost of the Syrian program has been about $341 million to date, though final figures have yet to be released.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Border Service Officials Seize Arms Export Bound For Iraq At Toronto Airport

    TORONTO — Border officials say they've seized a cache of gun parts and police equipment at Toronto's Pearson International Airport that was destined for Iraq.

    Border Service Officials Seize Arms Export Bound For Iraq At Toronto Airport

    CBC Wants To Air Last Show Of The Tragically Hip's Upcoming Tour

    CBC Wants To Air Last Show Of The Tragically Hip's Upcoming Tour
    TORONTO — The CBC says it is "having conversations" with the Tragically Hip about the possibility of broadcasting the final show of the band's tour this summer.

    CBC Wants To Air Last Show Of The Tragically Hip's Upcoming Tour

    Testy Trump Takes His War With The Press To A New Level

    Donald Trump's heated war with the media reached new heights as he turned the brag-worthy feat of raising $5.6 million for veterans' charities into a sparring match with reporters pressing him on the issue.

    Testy Trump Takes His War With The Press To A New Level

    Ontario Attorney General May Look Into Sales Of Tragically Hip Tickets

    Ontario Attorney General May Look Into Sales Of Tragically Hip Tickets
    Fans across the country complained the tickets were sold out almost instantly when they went on presale Monday.

    Ontario Attorney General May Look Into Sales Of Tragically Hip Tickets

    Toxic Splash? Russian Rocket Stage To Come Down In Canada's Arctic Waters

    Environmentalists are angry that a Russian rocket stage potentially carrying highly toxic chemicals is expected to splash down this weekend in a biodiversity hotspot in the Canadian Arctic.

    Toxic Splash? Russian Rocket Stage To Come Down In Canada's Arctic Waters

    Man Accused Of Plotting To Kill Wife, Lover's Husband, Says It Was Just Talk

    Man Accused Of Plotting To Kill Wife, Lover's Husband, Says It Was Just Talk
    PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The trial of two lovers accused of plotting to murder their spouses heard one of the accused tell an undercover officer it was just talk.

    Man Accused Of Plotting To Kill Wife, Lover's Husband, Says It Was Just Talk