ALLIES – Granting

Grants Awarded

Halifax, Nova Scotia

ALLIES has awarded Immigration Works in Halifax a Partnership Grant which will implement a comprehensive employer awarenss and engagement program. The initiative, led by the Greater Halifax Partnership,will raise awareness and change perceptions about the benefits of hiring immigrants; provide key decision-makers with the information they need to source, select, develop and welcome skilled immigrants to their workforce; and increase the business network of new immigrants so that they will be able to find employment in their areas of expertise. This third goal will be achieved through the Connector Program which will recruit “connectors” to refer immigrants to a minimum of three people in his/her network. Each of these people will be encouraged to refer the immigrant to another three professionals.

Montréal, Québec

ALLIES has awarded a Start-up Phase One grant to La Conférence régionale des élus (CRE) de Montréal. The CRE is leading -Alliés Montréal- a multi-stakeholder group that will undertake a combination of initiatives including the recognition of qualifications; career placements; mentoring; employer engagement; and a public/employer awareness campaign to draw attention to the challenges immigrants face in the labour market and the value their skills bring to improving our economy. The CRE is an association of elected officials, community and business leaders focused on the socioeconomic development of the Montréal region.

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council logo

Toronto, Ontario

ALLIES is supporting the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) in its work to remove the barriers immigrants face when entering the labour market, while at the same time helping organizations benefit from the talents and skills immigrants bring with them to Canada.

Since 2003, TRIEC has facilitated collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders including employers, post-secondary institutions, employment service providers, community organizations, regulatory bodies and all three levels of government.

The goal is to assemble these key players to find and implement local, practical solutions that lead to meaningful employment for skilled immigrants. By bringing together government representatives through TRIEC’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee, engaging employers through the Mentoring Partnership and hireimmigrants.ca and working with organizations in the community, TRIEC is finding solutions, ensuring action, and connecting partners in new and unique ways.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

ALLIES has awarded a Start-up Phase One grant to the Saskatoon Community Foundation. This grant will support the creation of an immigrant employment council that develops local interventions and solutions to meet the needs of both Saskatoon’s employers and skilled immigrants who live in the region. Many large employers are looking outside of Saskatchewan to meet their labour needs. Recently over 50 employers visited Toronto to attract skilled immigrants to fill over 10,000 jobs available in the province.

Edmonton, Alberta

ALLIES has awarded the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) a Start-up Phase One grant. Employers, citizens and institutions have come together to create ERIEC in order to deal with the region’s fast growing economy and significant labour market shortages. As their first action item, ERIEC will develop a mentoring program for Edmonton.

Vancouver, British Columbia

ALLIES has awarded the Vancouver Foundation a Start-up Phase One grant to lead the BC Immigrant Employment Council (BCIEC) which will address the challenges immigrants face in finding employment that matches their education and professional experience. Chaired by Bob Elton, President & CEO of BC Hydro, the Council will engage employers, government, settlement organizations,and other key stakeholders to develop solution-based actions that facilitate the labour market integration of skilled immigrants.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

ALLIES is requesting proposals for its granting initiative.
Two types of grants are available to interested communities:
1. Start-up Grants – Phase One and Two
2. Partnership Grants

Start- up Grants – Phase One

will enable communities to determine whether they possess the champions, the ideas and the capacity to move to full partnership with other stakeholders in the area of employment of skilled immigrants. In this phase, communities are expected to evaluate their internal capacity and to identify external partners for building a sustainable partnership.

Start-up Grants – Phase Two

will continue the momentum gained in Phase One and bring communities a step closer to full partnership. In this phase, communities are expected to work on building the foundations of a successful community partnership.

Partnership Grants

will be provided to communities that have successfully completed all elements of developing a multi-stakeholder effort as outlined in Phases One and Two. Partner communities are expected to assemble local or regional councils. Communities may apply to join the project as a full partner without having received Phase One and/or Phase Two grants as long as they meet the qualifying criteria.
ALLIES will support the work of these communities by establishing a national hub of learning, discussion and information exchange at The Maytree Foundation.
Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis, however there is a limited amount of funding available. Communities are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as possible. Collective efforts are already underway in a number of urban centres, so please contact us prior to presenting a proposal. Download the Request for Proposals to learn more.

More information on the granting initiative:

Please send questions about the program to: allies@maytree.com.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada

Integration Programs