1. Fostering Successful Integration Through the Co-Operative Model For Francophone Immigrants and Refugees In Southwestern Ontario: A Progress Report Presented by: Gillian Wells, MSW Candidate

2. Overview Settlement conditions for immigrants and refugeesSettlement conditions for immigrants and refugees Systemic barriers to and benefits of successful integrative settlementSystemic barriers to and benefits of successful integrative settlement Potential of co-operative entrepreneurship in promoting francophone integrationPotential of co-operative entrepreneurship in promoting francophone integration

3. Settlement Conditions Today: The Immigrant/Refugee Experience Canada’s multicultural reality: socially exclusiveCanada’s multicultural reality: socially exclusive Immigrant human capital underutilizedImmigrant human capital underutilized Discrimination and racismDiscrimination and racism

4. Systemic Barriers to Successful Integration & Settlement Language difficulties even for bilingual immigrantsLanguage difficulties even for bilingual immigrants Under-recognition of foreign credentials, skills and experiencesUnder-recognition of foreign credentials, skills and experiences Long delays for refugeesLong delays for refugees Downward economic mobilityDownward economic mobility

5. Benefits From Successful Integration & Settlement Human capital and social capitalHuman capital and social capital In-group and between-group solidarityIn-group and between-group solidarity Bonding and bridging social capitalBonding and bridging social capital Working towards social inclusion and integrationWorking towards social inclusion and integration

6. Francophone Newcomers In Ontario Problems for francophone immigrants and refugeesProblems for francophone immigrants and refugees Difficulties in integration leading to secondary migrationDifficulties in integration leading to secondary migration

7. Co-Operatives By Their Very Nature Can Answer To A Variety of Needs Services to address newcomers’ diverse needsServices to address newcomers’ diverse needs Co-operatives’ contribution to community – buildingCo-operatives’ contribution to community – building Economic advantages to all: housing, health care, child care, long-term care, rural settlement, overseas contactsEconomic advantages to all: housing, health care, child care, long-term care, rural settlement, overseas contacts