Tories Defend Cuts to Immigration Services

More than $53 million has been cut from agencies that help settle new immigrants in Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney defended the cuts Thursday, saying they were designed to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent efficient. But Liberal MP Bob Rae called the cuts “draconian” and urged the government to reverse the decision. NDP immigration critic Olivia Chow also slammed the cuts, arguing that because agencies who are denied funding are not told why, the process is open to political interference. The cuts will take a chunk out of what is currently a $340-million budget to fund agencies that assist new Canadians find housing and jobs. The majority of the cuts will come to agencies in Ontario.