Lucienne Robillard has announced the creation of four
Canadian research centres for immigration and integration.
Lucienne Rohillard, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and
M.P. for St. Henri~Westmount and Dr. Lynn Penrod, President of
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, announced
today at the University of Montreal the creation of four Canadian
Centres of Excellence for Research on immigration and
integration. The Montreal Centre represents a partnership of the
University of Montreal, McGill University, and the lnstitut
national de la recherche scientifique - Urbanisation (INRS). The
other Centres are located in Toronto, Edmonton and V ancouver.
The four Centres represent the combined talents of 15 of Canada'
s leading universities. Several federal M.P.s took part in this
simultaneous launch. In Vancouver, the hon. Dr.
Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (MuIticulturalism) (Status of Women)
and M.P. for Vancouver; in Edmonton, the bon. Anne McLellan,
Minister of Natural Resources and M.P. for Edmonton Northwest; in
Toronto, Mrs. Maria Minna, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and M.P. for Beaches
Woodbine. These four Centres of Excellence are major components
of Canada' s participation in the Metropolis Project, an
international initiative examining the impact of immigration on
cities around the world.
"This international project brings together researchers
from different countries who share a common purpose: to examine
the effects of immigration on cities. Their findings will enable
govemments at all levels -- federal, provincial and municipal --
to work together in identifying the best ways to promote
successful integration," Minister Robillard said. "We need to
understand what it means to be an immigrant, the difficulties
newcomers face and their influence on our communities. The
research carried out at these Centres will help us develop that
understanding" The four Centres were selected in a national
competition announced last June. Consortiums representing
numerous universities competed. An independent expert panel
studied the proposals, visited sites, and recommended which
proposals to fund.
The four Centres wilI receive a totaI of $8 million over six
years. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March
1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing
fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how this
government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better
serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
For more information
Benoit Chiquette
Press Secretary
Minister Robillard' s Office
(8l9)994-2424
John Oliver
Public Affairs
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(819)953-2812
Brian Biggar
Communications
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
(613)992-9438