Toronto's Vital Signs® Issue Area
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Why it matters “The successful integration of immigrants into the labour and social fabric of the city is essential for the city’s prosperity. The city’s culture is defined by its diversity and its prosperity is fueled by skilled newcomers.” - Mario Calla, Executive Director COSTI Immigrant Services

• As the top Canadian destination for immigrants, Toronto Region’s immigration levels grew by 11.5% in 2010, after three years of declining numbers.
• Four years after landing, only 7% of new immigrants report dissatisfaction with their life in Canada; almost half say that life is at least somewhat better than they expected it to be. Most (87%) reported that faced with the same decision again, they would choose to immigrate to Canada.
• Underemployment of immigrants costs the economy: if all immigrants were employed at the full level of their qualifications, it would add between $3.4 and $5 billion to the Canadian economy each year, with the largest share in the Toronto Region.

Featured solutions from our Community Knowledge Centre
Our Community Knowledge Centre features solutions to the issues identified in Toronto's Vital Signs. Organizations who have received a grant from our Vital Toronto Fund are identified.

		COSTI Immigrant Services COSTI provides educational, social, and employment services to help all immigrants in the greater Toronto area attain self-sufficiency in Canada. COSTI, founded by the Italian community to meet a shortage of services for immigrants in the post war era, is today a multicultural agency that works with all immigrant communities. Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2008 Learn more about COSTI Immigrant Services »
		CultureLink Settlement Services CultureLink is dedicated to facilitating the independence and full participation of newcomers in Toronto's diverse community. This is done by: enhancing skills that promote self-sufficiency, promoting positive interaction with and understanding of newcomer communities, providing innovative programming to meet the changing settlement needs of newcomers and volunteers , and promoting well being for all participants. Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2009 Learn more about CultureLink Settlement Services »
		Learning Enrichment Foundation The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) was formed more than 30 years ago in response to the needs of the former City of York. Since its inception LEF has developed a mix of program and services that include: childcare, youth programs, settlement services, language training, skill advancement programs and courses, employment services and community enterprises. Vital Toronto Fund award recipient 2010 Learn more about Learning Enrichment Foundation »