Saskatchewan renews agreement for immigrant access fund

REGINA – The Saskatchewan government has renewed an agreement that assists recent immigrants to the province.

The Immigrant Access Fund of Saskatchewan (IAF SK) will receive just over $204,000 in operational funding to enable 58 microloans.

Microloans of up to $10,000 are available to recent immigrants for training, upgrading, licensing, certification and/or memberships required for employment in their occupation in Saskatchewan.

“Immigration is an important part in meeting our population targets as outlined in the Saskatchewan plan for growth,” said Jeremy Harrison, the minister responsible for immigration.

“As our population continues to climb, we need to ensure new immigrants can use their education and training to be active contributors to our provincial economy.”

IAF SK officials say the money will allow immigrants to contribute to the province’s social and economic success.

The repayable microloans are available to those recent immigrants without access to traditional credit.

The agreement expires on May 31, 2015.