MONTREAL

Quebec urging employers to hire Syrian refugees

CTV Montreal Published Tuesday, December 8, 2015 12:26PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, December 8, 2015 7:29PM EST

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Employment Minister Sam Hamad is asking business owners and other employers to do their part in helping Syrian refugees find work.

He is promoting a program already in place to help immigrants.

“You want to hire a new immigrant or refugee and you want to offer them a first experience, then the government is ready to subsidize about $15,000,” he said.

Hamad said the provincial government will do everything it can to ensure refugees do not face discrimination while trying to find work.

"For us it is very important to recognize the education or diploma that these people had before. It's very important, it's the key of the success," said Hamad.

"If you are an engineer in your other country and you come to Canada, you hope that you are going to work in your own sector."

He added that the provincial government is working on ways to make sure that educational equivalencies are recognized by Quebec employers and associations.

"We actually have a committee working on it. We know that it's not easy," said Hamad.

“They might have to have some schooling to be recognized as an engineer or pharmacist,” added Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil. “Others are ready for manual work.”

PRIIME, the Employment Integration Program for Immigrants and Visible Minorities, has a $10 million annual budget, and it can give employers up to half of a new employee's salary if they provide a Syrian refugee their first Canadian workplace experience.

People looking for work can apply to the program and get help from government-run local employment centres.

PRIIME will also help professionals jump through the hoops necessary to be recognized by professional orders in Quebec, such as the College of Physicians or the Order of Engineers.

Employers seeking to find jobs for Syrian refugees may call 1-877-644-4545 to find out more about the program

Employers groups say it's is a win-win situation.
“It's a wonderful experience for the employers also to get this first experience of bringing someone on board and help the person to grow,” said Yves-Thomas Dorval of the Conseil du patronat.

Schools prepare

As for the youngest new arrivals, as many as 400 children so far will be registered at the Commission scolaire de Montreal at six elementary schools and five high schools:

Elementary: