SAlF-SK
The Francophone Welcome & Inclusion Services of Saskatchewan (SAIF-SK) offers settlement services to French-speaking newcomers or anyone wishing to be part of the Francophone community.
We provide personalized assistance to ensure successful settlement and integration in Saskatchewan. Our dedicated team offers valuable guidance and support every step of the way. SAIF-SK was established in April 2020. The Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise (ACF) created this subsidiary solely dedicated to welcoming and inclusion services for the Francophone community in Saskatchewan.
Vision
Our vision is that of a growing, diverse, inclusive, dynamic and forward-looking Fransaskois community.
SAIF-SK is the French-speaking gateway to welcome and help newcomers become active participants in Canadian society and to involve the Fransaskois community in their welcome and inclusion. These efforts will promote the growth of the French-speaking population and the expansion of services being offered in French throughout Saskatchewan while contributing to its economic growth.
The SAIF-SK ensures several fundamental functions within the Fransaskois community. It provides social, cultural, economic and educational referrals for Francophone newcomers to Saskatchewan, in particular by ensuring availability to necessary services and programs. This also sensitizes our community members on the benefits and importance of cultural diversity and immigration, while contributing to the growth of the Francophones in Saskatchewan.
Predeparture Services
- Pre-arrival information, referrals and settlement assistance;
- Support to facilitate social and professional integration before arrival;
- French-language services and information on Saskatchewan’s Francophone communities, and a better understanding of Canadian society;
- Our partners ensure continuity of services after arrival.
Pre-departure Services
The pre-departure service is part of a federal, innovative project funded and supported by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The goal is to harmonize and streamline the reception of French-speaking newcomers to Canada. This service is offered in partnership with Accueil francophone du Manitoba, which coordinates the project.
With a long history of collaboration with international embassies, we have established strong working relationships with several Canadian embassies and consulates abroad. Over the past 15 years, our organization has actively participated in events such as Destination Canada and led or been part of exploratory missions in countries like France, Belgium, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritius, and Romania. These efforts have contributed to the settlement of over 1,500 Francophone newcomers in Saskatchewan in the last five years.
The implementation of pre-departure services enables us to leverage these valuable contacts to provide better orientation for selected candidates before their arrival. We offer key comparative insights, helping newcomers understand the differences and similarities they may encounter, whether regarding family, culture, or climate. This service ensures they make informed decisions and are connected to our settlement team as soon as they arrive in Saskatchewan.
Settlement
- Initial needs analysis and settlement plan;
- Support for government administrative red tape;
- Taking into account different individual needs;
- Assistance in the search for housing, doctor, school, childcare;
- Assistance in accessing public services;
- Interpretation services during formal meetings;
- Free public notary service
We provide information and orientation packages to newcomers, providing valuable information about the new community.
The next step is to analyze the needs of newcomers and develop a settlement plan with our settlement counsellors; follow-up initial paperwork such as:
(health card, social insurance number; cell phone purchases, safety workboots, etc.) in addition, we provide practical local information (transportation services, health professional information, training centres, municipal or regional recreation options, etc.).
Settlement Workers in Schools
- Homework Club
- School system adaptation workshops
- Follow-ups with families
- Information sessions on extracurricular activities
- Information sessions on parental involvement
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) is a school-based outreach program that aims at helping newcomer students and their families settle in their schools and communities. It seeks to promote integration by bringing cultural awareness and understanding.
