By Lucy-Claire Saunders

Since WelcomeBC’s inception last year, services for immigrants new to the province have markedly improved. And thanks to funding from the federal government, immigrant agencies are noticing a marked difference in what they are now able to provide.

"We have been extremely encouraged by the level of funding that has come," said Chris Friesen, director of the Immigrant Services Society (ISS). "From a community-based agency perspective, there have been a number of positive initiatives including substantial increase in adult ESL funding throughout the province as well as the funding of higher levels of ESL."

Friesen says up until a couple of year ago, B.C. lagged behind the rest of the country in terms of higher levels of ESL training. Language training for new immigrants is extremely important if the province wants to meet the growing demand for labour.

"With the mixture of immigrants that are coming to this province, there are some that have intermediate English but are not able to fully participate in the labour market," said Friesen from his downtown Vancouver office.

"Having the ability to provide higher level classes allows those immigrant to improve their comprehensive English so they can contribute and participate more in society."

British Columbia welcomes almost 40,000 newcomers each year —including business people, skilled workers, international students and refugees — from almost 200 countries, according to Attorney General Wally Oppal.

"More than one million job openings are projected to become available in B.C. over the next 12 years, almost double the number of postsecondary graduates who will be available to enter the labour market," he wrote in a recent opinion piece.

"Through their knowledge, experience and contacts within Asia Pacific markets, newcomers to B.C. will help the province realize its economic potential and reach its goal of $76 billion in increased trade by 2020."

Through WelcomeBC, an umbrella for a host of new initiatives, vast improvements have been made to expedite access to ESL classes, work on developing specialized ESL classes for youth, seniors and refugees, and double funding for basic English-language training services for immigrant adults, from $15.6 million in 2005/06 to $32.5 million in 2008/09.

"Through this initiative, we are building a stronger foundation for immigrant success and addressing barriers to successful adaptation for the most vulnerable immigrants, such as refugees," wrote Oppal.

"Ultimately, the expanded services under WelcomeBC are aimed at ensuring that immigrants achieve their full potential. Besides contributing to our economic growth and prosperity, immigration has given British Columbia a rich legacy of cultural diversity that has made us a model for multiculturalism throughout the world."