Settlement Services Director Chris Friesen, as co-chair of the National Settlement Council (a pan-Canadian body whose members include representatives from the settlement sector, federal, provincial and territorial governments), co-chaired “Vision 2020 National Settlement Conference” in Ottawa November 13 to 15.
Friesen delivered the opening plenary remarks on behalf of the settlement sector in the CIC-funded conference that gathered for the first time in 10 years, over 400 settlement sector leaders and CIC policy makers across Canada.
The aim of the conference was to discuss the possible pathways the Settlement Program might take in the future in light of recent policy and governance changes, and how to best meet the current and expected needs of newcomer clients.
“We value the opportunity to have this important dialogue that will help set the vision and direction for the settlement system for the future,” said Friesen is his speech.
As a post-conference initiative, Friesen is leading a pan-Canadian consultation process to bring the settlement sector together in highlighting some specific policy changes proposed for the settlement system in the future.
