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SOCI - Standing Committee

Social Affairs, Science and Technology

 

Recommendations

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada initiate research that will lead to the development of a set of indicators to measure levels of social inclusion and social cohesion in Canada:

  • That the Government of Canada, using these indicators, establish goals for social inclusion and social cohesion in those areas which fall within its responsibilities as set forth under the Canadian Constitution;
  • That the Government of Canada use these indicators, when appropriate, in the design and evaluation of its policies, programs and activities; and
  • That the Government of Canada measure, at regular intervals, the extent to which its policies, programs, and activities are achieving the social inclusion and social cohesion goals it has established, and report the results to the Parliament of Canada.
Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada work in partnership with other levels of government to provide support over the long term for initiatives that have, as their objective, enhanced social inclusion and social cohesion; and

That the Government of Canada support efforts by provincial and territorial ministers of education to implement and integrate the importance of social inclusion and acceptance into their educational systems.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada enhance the availability of the full suite of pre-arrival services provided to immigrants prior to their departure for Canada.

Recommendation 4

That permanent residents and their dependents between the ages of eighteen and fifty-four, and members of the family class of permanent residents within the same age range be assessed for their skills in one of the two official languages following arrival in Canada;

  • That based on this assessment, those tested be directed to an appropriate level of language training under the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program;
  • That enrolment in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program be strongly encouraged for all those falling below a predetermined level of linguistic ability; and
  • That the Government of Canada continue to make improvements to the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program. In particular, such improvements should take into consideration those language skills that are work-specific and that enhance the ability of newcomers to interact with Canadians in ways that facilitate community involvement.
Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada employ campaigns explaining the importance of community engagement and to promote volunteerism among immigrant communities.

Recommendation 6

Where warranted, such as for  immigrant women who stay at home to care for young children, that immigrants be granted admission to the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program up to five years following arrival regardless of acquisition of Canadian citizenship.

Recommendation 7

That Citizenship and Immigration Canada expand the number of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program sites equipped with child care facilities for pre-school children.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada initiate efforts to expand the Local Immigration Partnership model beyond the province of Ontario.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada work with the provincial and territorial governments and municipalities to support programs that identify neighbourhoods at risk and to help provide services and infrastructure to overcome negative effects of enclaves arising from poverty.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada work in partnership with provincial, territorial and municipal levels of government to promote civic awareness among new Canadians. Such programs should emphasize both the rights and responsibilities of citizens vis-à-vis their communities.

Recommendation 11

That, as part of the pre-departure services, prospective immigrants be advised when their academic or other credentials do not meet the standards required by Canadian employers.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada support initiatives that empower members of minority communities to become  better  represented in federal boards, commissions, and in public office.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada encourage the provinces and territories to develop a national comprehensive educational policy to challenge and address underlying structural issues such as racism, religious and sexual intolerance, and bullying in schools and society.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada continue actions to combat racism and discrimination as set forth in Canada’s Action Plan against Racism.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada accelerate equitable hiring and staffing processes for visible minorities and other designated groups as called for under the federal Public Service Employment Act, and

That the Government of Canada invite employers in federally regulated industries to hire and retain members of the four groups designated under the Employment Equity Act in proportion to their workforce availability.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada enhance efforts to communicate information regarding the Youth Gang Prevention Fund to national Aboriginal organizations and consult with those organizations regarding the design and opportunities available under the program, with a view to enhancing its overall effectiveness.

Recommendation 17

That in developing and delivering the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) Program, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the National Association of Friendship Centres work together to ensure that local Aboriginal communities are given a prominent role in shaping the Program to respond to community needs.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with national Aboriginal organizations and other levels of government, expand the Urban Aboriginal Strategy beyond the thirteen municipalities where it is already in operation.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada work with national Aboriginal organizations and other levels of government to bring about better coordination and distributional fairness within community steering committees established under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal Friendship Centres to support transition services for Aboriginal peoples moving to Canadian cities.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada continue to place an emphasis, in all federal government employment programs or initiatives, on making sure that there are skills training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal youth.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada continue to work with private sector partners to stimulate efforts to open up employment and skills training opportunities for Aboriginal youth in all sectors of the Canadian economy.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada, along with provincial/territorial governments,  place additional emphasis on working with national Aboriginal organizations to support the development of Aboriginal entrepreneurs, with a focus on new and existing Aboriginal businesses through such activities as business assessments, business and marketing plans, and mentoring for business owners; and

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with national Aboriginal organizations,  place additional emphasis on developing Aboriginal human capital, through such measures as arranging full access for Aboriginal peoples for skills development and training specific to their businesses, and the provision of business skills training that would assist Aboriginal entrepreneurs to own and manage a successful business.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada explore, with provincial and territorial governments, its involvement in the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada review core funding under the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program and, where warranted, adjust funding to appropriate levels.

Recommendation 26

That Human Resources and Skills Development Canada provide information on the resources allocated to, and the outcomes achieved by, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities in its annual Departmental Performance Reports tabled in Parliament.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada, with provincial and territorial partners, monitor implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Monitoring should include the active involvement of Canadians with disabilities and organizations that represent them, as specified in Article 33.3 of the Convention.

Recommendation 28

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, continue to identify and implement measures designed to assist Canadians with disabilities to enter the labour market.

Recommendation 29

That the Government of Canada use youth-friendly language in materials intended to inform the public and enhance the use of social media for that purpose.

Recommendation 30

That the Government of Canada work with the provinces and territories to support school-to-work transition programs  that increase opportunities in training, co-op, apprenticeship and education programs, and that increase labour mobility to enter the workforce, and also consider tax incentives for companies that hire and invest in young Canadians.

Recommendation 31

That as part of its efforts to raise public awareness about elder abuse, the Government of Canada devote particular attention to reaching seniors who are living independently or in isolation.

Recommendation 32

That the Government of Canada recognize sexual minorities as distinct minority groups like other cultural, linguistic, religious, and ethnic communities in all federal programs and policies designed to support minorities; and

That the Government of Canada include identity and gender expression in the hate crime provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada as aggravating circumstances to be taken into consideration at the time of sentencing.

Recommendation 33

That the Government of Canada support awareness and education programs to combat sexual assault and harassment, including cyber-bullying.

Recommendation 34

That the Government of Canada support efforts by Canadian police forces to enhance the recruitment and retention of women and members of Canadian minority communities in proportion to their labour market availability.

Recommendation 35

That the Government of Canada increase the share of its current criminal justice budget that is devoted to crime prevention.

Recommendation 36

That the Government of Canada increase supports for offenders to decrease recidivism and victimization by offering small incentives for offenders to receive further education and training while incarcerated in order to increase employment options upon release into the community;

That the Government of Canada make mandatory alcohol and substance abuse programs for addicted inmates while incarcerated in federal institutions and then follow up in the community with drug enforcement testing during reintegration; and

That the Government of Canada facilitate and increase access to mental health counseling and programs for offenders to increase successful reintegration in the community.

Recommendation 37

That the Government of Canada encourage the provinces and territories to identify and develop urban transit strategies;

That the Government of Canada give tax-exempt status for employer-provided transit benefits. This would complement the current federal tax credit for transit pass purchases and encourage employers to support transit commuters financially; and

That the Government of Canada consider additional allocations from  the Gas Tax Fund specifically to transit capital investment.

Recommendation 38

That the Government of Canada consider increasing the value of the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) and move toward widening eligibility for the WITB to include all households with earned income below the after-tax low income cut-off (LICO).

Recommendation 39

That the Government of Canada initiate a review of the Income Tax Act and its application to ensure progressivity and fairness.

That in conducting this review, the Government of Canada pay particular attention to the role of the tax system in reducing income inequality, improving the circumstances of low-income Canadians, and stimulating  job creation.

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