Good morning.
I'm Justine Kintanar. I'm the associate director of marketing and communications with COSTI. I'm here on behalf of our CEO, Samina Sami.
COSTI commends the federal government's commitment to building an inclusive and prosperous Canada and an immigration strategy that both contributes to a resilient and prosperous country and responds to humanitarian crises. However, we also face challenges such as housing, skills gaps and barriers to opportunities for newcomers, refugees and marginalized groups.
To address these challenges, Canada's next budget must invest in these key areas.
First is continued investment in a sustainable settlement and resettlement services model to ensure that increasing immigration levels come with the infrastructure to support economic and social prosperity for everyone.
Second is affordable housing. Provide additional funding to provinces and municipalities in key regions to integrate housing and immigration policies and programs and invest in reception houses that provide cost-effective, long-term solutions for temporary accommodation.
Third is skills training and employment. Enhance the skills and employability of newcomers and marginalized groups by investing in agencies that offer tailored and accessible services that accelerate employment and reduce the systemic barriers to entering the labour market.
Last is inclusion. Promote social inclusion and welcoming societies. Best practice research tells us that we must create welcoming societies by design and policy to build successful integration and settlement.
By investing in these areas, Canada will create a more inclusive and prosperous nation with equitable opportunities for all our residents to succeed.
Thank you.