Minister Kenney announces funding for newcomer integration through HIPPY Program

05/02/2013

Ottawa, May 1, 2013 — Newcomers who participate in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Program will benefit from $2.6 million in new funding over the next three years, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced yesterday at a reception hosted by the United States Ambassador David Jacobson.

“Though programs like HIPPY, our government is giving newcomers the best chance possible to integrate into Canada and contribute to a prosperous society,” said Minister Kenney. “The government has had a strong affiliation with the HIPPY Program for many years and is proud to help immigrant parents in their vital role as their child’s first and most important teacher.”

The HIPPY Program has a strong track record of assisting with settlement and integration of newcomers. It helps parents to be a child’s first educator by improving their own literacy skills and fostering active participation of new Canadian families in Canadian society. 

The HIPPY Program was developed in Israel in 1969 as an evidence-based, community-driven program. Since it set up shop in Canada in 1999, HIPPY has expanded its operations and now does remarkable work in 15 communities across the country. Over the past 13 years, HIPPY Canada has reached out to more than 6,000 newcomers as well as Aboriginal and other Canadian families.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s settlement allocations for provinces and territories outside of Quebec have almost tripled from less than $200 million in 2005-2006 to about $600 million for the current fiscal year.

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