Collège nordique francophone recognized for its work with newcomers to Canada
News release
One of 3 Employer Awards given out by IRCC
March 6, 2019 – Yellowknife, NWT – The Government of Canada is recognizing the Collège nordique francophone (CNF) for its support of newcomers to Canada, including community connections, professional language training and connections to local settlement services.
The Yellowknife college was named today as one of 3 winners of the 2019 Employer Awards for Newcomer Employment for its exemplary work in helping newcomers to Canada find and retain jobs and to enhance their employment skills.
The CNF helps its newcomer employees develop their job search and labour market skills, which will help them build their careers. And the CNF makes significant personal efforts to integrate newcomers into the local and employment communities through social gatherings, as well as by connecting newcomers to Indigenous communities in the area.
Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with Hire Immigrants Ottawa, recognizes local businesses’ innovative efforts to improve the integration of newcomers into the labour market across Canada. This year’s winners –a small, medium and large employer – help reduce the barriers faced by newcomers entering the labour market and improve their overall settlement in Canada.
Winners were announced at the 2019 Employer Council of Champions Summit and Awards, organized by Hire Immigrants Ottawa. The summit brings together business, government and civic leaders to engage in a dialogue about the effective integration of refugees and immigrants into the labour force, and to celebrate employer excellence.
Quotes
“I am impressed by the initiative that the Collège nordique francophone has taken in ensuring that its newcomer employees feel welcome and have the supports they need to integrate into their life in Canada. The professional language training and employment supports, as well as encouraging social gatherings and connections with local Indigenous communities, help newcomers make connections in their local community, which is so critical to the integration journey”.
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“As we know, employment is key to successful integration. But having a job isn’t just about making an economic contribution to Canada, it’s also about providing a sense of dignity and belonging in your community. I am proud of the work that Collège nordique francophone has done in supporting the settlement of newcomers in the Northwest Territories. CNF is also the first Francophone employer to receive an IRCC Employer Award.”
– Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories
“On behalf of Collège nordique francophone, I am really thrilled to receive the 2019 Employer Awards for Newcomer Employment. Newcomers to the Northwest Territories come with hopes, dreams and a desire to positively contribute to their new community. We take to heart our role in helping them achieve their objectives by providing them with the right skills, at the right time so they can more easily integrate and provide for themselves and their families. We are driven by our desire to live up to their aspirations. We thank IRCC for recognizing our high-quality services for newcomers to Canada and to the Northwest Territories. Together, we are creating the right conditions for individuals and families to thrive in beautiful Yellowknife and beyond”.
– Josée Clermont, Executive Director, Collège nordique francophone
Quick facts
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Since 2015, IRCC has been recognizing private businesses that support the successful labour market integration of newcomers in Canada through these awards.
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Winning employers are chosen based on nominations from settlement service provider organizations. CNF was nominated by the Centre d’accueil francophone.
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CNF is a small employer with 4 permanent staff, including 2 newcomers.
Associated links
Contacts
Contacts for media only
Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
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