Governments can help immigrants succeed in Canada by reaching out to faith communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24 April, 2025

OTTAWA — Federal and provincial governments need to recognize churches and other faith communities as trusted partners in helping immigrants settle into life in Canada. A new Cardus report, How Governments Can Better Support Immigrants’ Integration: Insights from Church Leaders, outlines how faith leaders can be a helpful resource of governments.

“Pastors, priests, and other church leaders are often on the frontlines of welcoming immigrants to Canada,” says Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, a report co-author and program director for Faith Communities at Cardus. “They can provide cultural and spiritual insights that governments would otherwise miss, they can advocate for marginalized groups in unique ways, and they can encourage communication between immigrant communities and government agencies.”

How Governments Can Better Support Immigrants’ Integration: Insights from Church Leaders is based on interviews with nine pastors of Christian churches across the country that serve immigrant communities. Their churches represent Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Evangelical, and Mainline Protestant traditions.

The pastors Cardus interviewed recommend that the federal and provincial governments:

• Recognize churches and other faith communities as trusted partners in immigrant integration.
• Address the systemic barriers that immigrants face by:
  • Simplifying immigration procedures through streamlined applications for permanent residency and clearer expectations regarding timelines.
  • Expanding language support programs for newcomers to Canada.
  • Increasing transparency in service delivery through clear and consistent communication from government agencies.
• Provide financial and structural support to expand immigrant-focused programs that churches offer, such as:
  • Providing grants for programs like language classes, job training, and housing assistance.
  • Supporting job creation and housing affordability, which are critical for establishing a new life in Canada.
  • Expanding language services and social guidance, which enable immigrants to find jobs and access other resources.

“The breadth of Canadian churches and other faith communities is both a gift and an opportunity,” says Rev. Dr. Bennett. “They are trusted institutions within immigrant communities, serving as bridges between immigrants and broader society. By encouraging collaboration, simplifying processes, and enabling faith communities as key partners in immigrant integration, Canada can ensure that our public square is open and compassionate—all supported by respect for religious freedom.”

How Governments Can Better Support Immigrants’ Integration: Insights from Church Leaders is freely available on the Cardus website.

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Cardus is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.