Thanks, MP Tabbara.
Yes, I've had the opportunity to be in Waterloo region for 19 years and to be part of what Chair Selling talks about, the collaborative approach to community needs.
The YMCA has been the primary funder for federal immigrant services and settlement, and language assessment since that time as well.
Before the Syrian refugee crisis, our region's immigrant enrolment increased 30% over this past year. We're seen as a primary site of settlement, but also a secondary site where people may be coming in through a different port of entry, but are coming to our region for a number of good reasons. I would say our region is seen as a popular destination and that is increasing for technical, employment, investment, and educational reasons.
To Mr. Murray's point about the group working together, it is true, but the expectation that the community is going to be able to accommodate continued growth in immigration, and a continued expectation that there is going to be an increase in refugees, is somewhat challenging and concerning. Over the years I've seen support from the federal government grow in terms of settlement support, but lately it's been declining and within our region—perhaps it's different from other points in Ontario—I see a need for increased investment for refugee and immigrant settlement services.
Thank you.