Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 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

    Justin Trudeau Pays Tribute To Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie

    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is paying tribute to Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie — and leaving the door open to looking at the issue of fairness in ticket sales.

    Justin Trudeau Pays Tribute To Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest
    TORONTO — A group of teenagers from the remote Grassy Narrows First Nation were ejected from the Ontario legislature today for wearing T-shirts reading: "water is sacred."

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest

    Parks Canada Removes Fee For Sweat Lodge Ceremony At Manitoba Historic Site

    Lower Fort Garry plans to hold three sweat lodges this summer, an ancient ceremony performed by indigenous people in North America.

    Parks Canada Removes Fee For Sweat Lodge Ceremony At Manitoba Historic Site

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'
    Police say the person was seen crossing a walking trail on St. Mary's Street Thursday morning.

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'

    Ontario Bill Would Overhaul $50 Billion Health-care System, Close CCACS

    Ontario Bill Would Overhaul $50 Billion Health-care System, Close CCACS
    TORONTO — Ontario's Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at improving patient care which calls for some major changes to the $50-billion health-care system.

    Ontario Bill Would Overhaul $50 Billion Health-care System, Close CCACS

    Quebec Has Longest Emergency Room Wait Times In Western World

    Quebec Has Longest Emergency Room Wait Times In Western World
    QUEBEC — A report by Quebec's health and welfare commissioner says the province has the worst emergency room wait times in the western world.

    Quebec Has Longest Emergency Room Wait Times In Western World