Federal Funding Cuts Hurt Newcomer Services in Waterloo Region

0:00It's April 8th, your listening to Vancouver News today, AI-powered local news. Settlement groups in Waterloo region are hurting from back-to-back federal funding cuts to services for newcomers. These cuts hit programs that offer translation, job help, English classes, and links to local resources, stuff that's key for folks fresh off the boat. In their first few years here, the Feds at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada blame it on a big spending review and new immigration goals through 2028. They're dialing back overall numbers, pushing more economic immigrants who supposedly need less hand-holding and capping service access at six years, for permanent residents dropping to five next year. Local leaders are feeling the squeeze hard. At the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Center, they've cut eight jobs over two years with weightless still growing even as demand holds steady into. The fourth year for many clients. Reception house warns of longer weights for housing and health help, which could snowball

1:02into bigger problems down the line. The YMCA of three rivers has paused language training and job workshops, scaling back staff to match the reduced cash. Everyone agrees these aren't extras, they're the backbone for getting newcomers employed, stable, and connected. As these agencies push Ottawa for steady funding to keep integration on track, the real talk is clear. Camping now means paying more later and newcomers pay the heaviest price.