1. An
Introduction for
Newcomers
Settling
in Ontario
Funded by / Financé par

2. Orientation to Ontario (O2O) is a joint Federal and Provincial
initiative designed to
expedite and facilitate the settlement of newcomers
to Ontario and to help them make better informed choices.
The project is funded by Citizenship and Immigration (CIC)
Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
(MCI) and implemented by COSTI,
through collaboration with Collège Boréal, OCASI
and George Brown College.
Funded by / Financé par
Funded by / Financé par

3. Project
Overview 1. Project Development Plan
2. Project Features
3. Project Description and Goals
4. Next Steps
Funded by / Financé par

4. 1. Project Development Plan
PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3
Curriculum Program Design Province-Wide
Development and Pilot Testing Implementation
2009 - 2011 2012 - 2013 2013 and onwards
(to be determined based
on evaluation results)
Funded by / Financé par

5. 2. Project Features
• Consistent and accurate information
for recent newcomers and pre-arrivals
• A holistic approach to the settlement
process with a focus on clients’ needs
through various delivery modes
• Provide orientation and material
support for workshop delivery
Funded by / Financé par

6. 2. Project Features
• Local customization and creation of a
personalized settlement plan
• Springboard to a wider network
of programs and services
• All materials developed in
English and French
• Workbooks also available in
11 other languages
• 1- 800 Phone Line available for any inquiries
Funded by / Financé par

7. 3. Project Description and Goals
• To develop a standardized set of Orientation to Ontario tools
to help support newcomers as they navigate resources and
information in their community
Workbook Workshop Website
• To develop materials and products that can be customized to
local community need
• To provide supports and materials to agencies that are
delivering settlement information and workshops
Funded by / Financé par

8. 3. Project Description and Goals
Workbook
• Clients will be able to organize their settlement
information in one place
• The workbook will enable settlement agencies
to add local community information
Funded by / Financé par

9. 3. Project Description and Goals
Workbook Six key topics will be covered:
1. Getting to Know Ontario
2. Finding Newcomer Support and Services
3. Settling in Your New Region
4. Education and Training
5. Working and Business
6. Banking and Personal Finances
Funded by / Financé par

10. 3. Project Description and Goals
• 10-12 hours long
• Flexible – can be delivered in one
intensive 1.5 day session, or 3-4 shorter
Workshop sessions
• Broad overview of the settlement
process
• Referrals can be made to other
workshops or to settlement counsellors
for participants who are interested in
exploring other topics
• Supported by a Facilitator Manual with
a detailed agenda (including cultural
notes) plus an overview of the workshop
activities
Funded by / Financé par

11. 3. Project Description and Goals
• Hosted by OCASI through Settlement.Org
• Creation of a user/login functionality for offline
Website workshop participants and facilitators
• Online registration for workshops
• A discussion forum for clients to post their questions
• English and French Domains:
www.orientationontario.ca
www.lontarioncestchezmoi.ca
Funded by / Financé par

12. 3. Project Description and Goals
LANGUAGES • Arabic
• Chinese
• The workbooks have been translated • Farsi
into 11 languages • Gujarati
• Hindi
• The PDF version of the translated
• Punjabi
workbooks will be accessible on the
• Russian
O2O website
• Spanish
• Limited print copies of the • Tagalog
workbooks will be distributed through • Tamil
independent venues • Urdu
Funded by / Financé par

13. 4. Next Steps
• Pilot test the three tools:
Workbook Workshop Website
• Formal evaluation throughout the pilot
phase by PinPoint Research Consulting
Services
• Modify and update all resources based on
client and sector feedback
Funded by / Financé par

14. Presenters:
Rahila Mushtaq Guy Lucas
Orientation to Ontario Business Manager
Project Manager Collège Boréal
COSTI Immigrant Services
For further information, please contact the Orientation to Ontario (O2O) team:
Rahila Mushtaq Masha Hall Maria Delgado
Project Manager Project Coordinator (English) Project Coordinator (French)
mushtaq@costi.org hall@costi.org maria.delgado@collegeboreal.ca
Funded by / Financé par
Funded by / Financé par