This update is for the period July – September 2004. Previous updates are available on our website.

Who We Are

PROMPT is an immigrant-driven, Ontario-based coalition of twenty immigrant professional and trade associations, community initiatives and umbrella groups. We develop policy recommendations and advocate for policy change to improve the access of internationally educated professionals and tradespeople into their fields of expertise.

PROMPT releases its first policy paper ‘In the Public Interest: Immigrant Access to Regulated Professions in Today’s Ontario

On 29 September 2004, PROMPT released its first policy paper ‘In the Public Interest: Immigrant Access to Regulated Professions in Today’s Ontario’ at a press conference at the North York Civic Centre. Our Guest of Honour was the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers, the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Also represented was PROMPT’s funder, Canadian Heritage. More than 120 guests comprising, internationally-educated immigrants, policy analysts, staff of ministries, politicians, community organizations, regulators, press and members of public were present. At this press conference, the Minister made two announcements. Of interest to PROMPT was the announcement of the appointment of retired judge, George Thomson, to study the issue of an independent appeals mechanism for all occupationally regulated professions. This represents the possible realization of one of five recommendations that PROMPT had made in its study.

In the second half of the event, a seminar was held for PROMPT members and other internationally-educated professionals and tradespeople not currently represented on PROMPT. Two of PROMPT’s member organizations, the Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (AIPSO) and the Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering (CAPE), presented on their organizations’ organizational and engagement models. Other PROMPT member organizations and internationally educated guests also shared their experiences in forming organizations and developing relationships with stakeholders. In addition, they generously shared ideas of their vision for PROMPT’s work and development.

PROMPT Continues to Work in Partnership with Stakeholders

Government

PROMPT continues to develop its relationship with government of all orders.

Occupational Regulatory Bodies

The Ontario Regulators for Access (ORA) provided comprehensive written feedback on PROMPT’s draft report “In the Public Interest”. PROMPT incorporated many of the suggestions that the ORA made. Member associations continued to work closely with individual regulatory bodies such as the Professional Engineers of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Architects.

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council

PROMPT continues to participate in TRIEC through the Council as well as on all the working groups.

Colleges Integrating Immigrants To Employment

PROMPT is involved in this initiative aimed at increasing access within the college system through the Leadership Council and a working group.

Research Underway

1. A new approach to the provision of employment initiatives to immigrants

The goal of the research is to build the case for a new approach to funding and implementing employment initiatives that would better facilitate the participation of immigrants into Ontario’s labour market. The research will be finalized by late fall.
2. Creating inclusive regional development strategies

This research will result in a discussion paper that challenges the use of immigrants as commodities for regional development, refutes the arguments for forced settlement, and proposes effective models and concrete strategies that attract all people. The research will be finalized by late fall.
3. Equity in labour market integration from an immigrant perspective.

Our objective is to develop the concept of equity as it applies to policy on issues of labour market integration. This paper will be launched on October 16th.

PROMPT Presents

• Masaala, Mehndi, Maasti (Aug 6 – 8)
• Internationally Educated Social Workers Network at Access Alliance (Aug 18)
• ACCES or Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (Aug 25)

PROMPT Congratulates

CALAPTE or the Canadian Association of Latin American Professionals, Tradespeople and Entrepreneurs on the successful launch of their organization on September 17th. CALAPTE is a member association of PROMPT.

PROMPT in the News

On television:

• OMNI – PROMPT provided analysis of a Statistics Canada study on ‘Immigrants in Canada’s Urban Centres 2001’
• OMNI - PROMPT provided analysis on the study ‘Visible Minorities face subtle impediments to career advancement’ by the Conference Board of Canada (September 13)
• TVO – Gurmeet Bambrah represented PROMPT as member of a panel, along with Jeffrey Reitz in a discussion on barriers to licensing and related immigration and settlement issues (September 23)
• OMNI – PROMPT interviewed on the release of its first policy paper ‘In the Public Interest: Immigrant Access to Regulated Professions in Today’s Ontario’ (September 29)

On Radio:

• CBC Radio – As part of a series on the experiences of skilled immigrants to Canada (September 7 – 10)
• CBC Radio – PROMPT provided analysis on study ‘Immigrants: Staying or Leaving’
• CBC Radio (Halifax) – PROMPT interviewed on general licensing barriers faced by immigrants
• CBC Radio – An interview on PROMPT’s recommendations in its study ‘In the Public Interest’ (September 29)

Contact Us

Any questions or comments? Please call Faviola Fernandez at (416) 979-8611 x 4310 or email at fernandez@cassa.on.ca Want to be on our mailing list? Sign up on our website at www.promptinfo.ca