MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION MAKES
FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT 

    
The Hon. Diane Finlay presenting a plaque to Sharon Cohen, President of JIAS Toronto

On March 26, Minister of Immigration Diane Finlay made a personal announcement at a gathering in Toronto regarding $2.4 million towards immigrant programming provided by the Jewish Family and Child Services, JIAS Toronto and Jewish Vocational Services. 

The Minister talked about the importance of the work that JIAS and other organizations in the Jewish community do for the benefit of immigrants and the community at large. She brought greetings on behalf of the Prime Minister who also congratulated the Jewish community on its excellent work and its contribution to Canada’s wellbeing.  Sharon Cohen, President of JIAS Toronto, welcomed Minister Finlay on behalf of those present. 

Minister Finlay congratulated JIAS Canada on its 85^th Anniversary and its excellent work in welcoming newcomers and making them part of the Canadian mosaic.  Founded in 1922, JIAS has, for the last 85 years, been welcoming immigrants, helping them settle, and making them part of the Canadian mosaic.  She talked about the importance of immigration to Canada and the value that it brings to the entire country.

The Minister also spoke about two former JIAS clients who have become JIAS employees, Lia Kisel originally from Mexico and now a Settlement Worker and Adelia Sergeyeva from the Former Soviet Union who is now working as an ESL teacher in the JIAS school.

Adelia Sergeyeva (left) and Leah Kisel