Canada

• Launched to address a specific and pressing need to enhance retention of newcomers, this program provides newcomers with information, advice, and contacts with the local business community.
• Specifically, this initiative focuses on the provision of information and effective connections to the business community that will lead to the establishment of new businesses and the successful settlement of client newcomer entrepreneurs and their families.

• Funded by Ontario’s joint Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment / Ministry of Research and Innovation, ONE is a regional network of 90 centres across Ontario that provide in-person and online advice, referrals, programs, funds, resource materials, training and connections for people who want to start and grow successful businesses.

• Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) work with startups to commercialize research originating in universities, colleges and academic hospitals and support campus-linked business accelerators and on-campus entrepreneurial activities.

• The Business Immigrant Mentorship Program is a Government of New Brunswick initiative, delivered in partnership with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.
• The Business Immigrant Mentorship Program allows immigrant investors in the Fredericton region to learn about ‘Doing Business in New Brunswick”. The program offers an in-depth opportunity for new immigrant investors to meet, learn from and network with business professionals from the Fredericton business community.

• Credit Unions in Nova Scotia are offering a small business loan program that aims to help immigrants who are interested in starting, expanding or buying a small business.
• Under this program, an immigrant entrepreneur can borrow a maximum amount of up to $500,000 for loans that are of a traditional debt nature, for working capital or lines of credit.

 Futurpreneur Canada is a national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring young business owners (aged 18-39).

 Its Newcomer Program provides tailored support to newcomers, including specific eligibility criteria for loan financing for young entrepreneurs (between the ages of 19-34) who have been in Canada for less than five years and who have limited or no established credit history in Canada.

The Ontario Skills Passport provides clear descriptions of the Essential Skills and work habits important for work, learning and life.  The OSP is a free bilingual, web-based resource that provides clear descriptions of the essential skills and work habits needed for success in the workplace. 

The Skills Passport guarantees English language proficiency to designated levels and technical skills against Saskatchewan's Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) certificate and diploma program standards.

The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) has instigated a pilot bridging program, ‘Coaching to Career’, which launched in May 2012 in Toronto.

The Business Express Program (BEP) expedites business travel from China, India, Mexico, and was also rolled out in Bulgaria and Romania. It is a facility provided on a need-by-need basis by Canadian embassies in places where there is an identified neeed to expedite visa requests for business travelers.Under BEP, visas are issued within days and there is a near-perfect approval rate for those registered in the program. The Travel Express program in Mexico offers a fast, simplified visa application process for tourists who use travel agencies registered with the Canadian Embassy.