Calgary Centre for Newcomers lays off over 60 staff

Calgary Centre for Newcomers (CFN) says they laid off over 60 people because the federal government did not renew its amendments to organizations that support Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.

Kelly Ernst, the chief program officer for the centre, tells CityNews it has seen a 1,000 per cent increase in vulnerable populations, and overall, it has seen a more than 400 per cent increase in the number of people arriving at their doors.

“That’s a massive increase in numbers compared to what we were originally set up to do. And that doesn’t appear to be stopping,” he told CityNews.

He added in 2022, the CFN helped over 35,000 people, which he says might be surpassed this year.

“The thing that we’re hoping not to have to do is start waitlists, because as you know, services associated to government funding are one of the biggest complaints, is the excessive waitlist associated to any kind of government service,” Ernst said.

“So we’re hoping that that does not happen to our organization as well.”

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However, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers tells CityNews it hasn’t experienced a fallout due to the funding cuts, saying it hasn’t laid anyone off, nor have people started falling through the cracks.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told CityNews says it has actually increased funding to settlement agencies across the country.

“As a result, all provinces and territories will see an increase in investment in their jurisdictions in 2023-24, compared to 2022-23. The planned investment for settlement services in Alberta is increasing from approximately $125M in 2022-23 to nearly $133M in 2023-24, an increase of six per cent,” the statement reads. “These investments align with Alberta’s proportion of all permanent resident landings.”

“In addition, the Department has, in the past, adjusted investments over the course of the year, to respond to pressures, such as an influx of newcomers, and when additional funding becomes available.”

Meanwhile, Ernst says Ukrainians that are arriving and requesting services, which include assistance for housing and education on understanding the culture — what he describes as “daunting and pretty intimidating” to seek help in the area — might have to stop.

He adds that those reaching the CFN will see a delay in services, as the organization might have to cancel some services altogether.

“People are accustomed to walking into our center and getting immediate help. So we’re going to have to just start sending people away,” he said.