Cross-Sector Partnerships in the Provision of Services to New Immigrants in Canada: Characteristics, Relevance and Constraints

ABSTRACTThe integration of newcomers to Canada is a complex undertaking that involves many players working together in various formal or informal partnership arrangements. This paper focuses on the bilateral but asymmetrical relationship between governments and immigrant-serving organizations. The findings indicate that although there is agreement on what the partnership should look like, the two parties see integration in different perspectives: short-term versus long-term outlook and economic integration versus a more holistic view. The article explores whether contractual relationships can be considered partnerships and differentiates between macro–sector-to-sector partnerships versus those between government and individual organizations.