Resettlement of the first wave of Syrian refugees in Canada: Language training, employment-related services and employment income

This paper uses a unique, linked administrative data file to examine the impact of language training and employment-related services on the employment income of the first wave of Syrian refugees admitted to Canada between 2015 and 2016. The analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between refugees' access to employment-related services and higher employment income. However, this positive effect is not observed for participants in language training programs. The economic benefits of employment-related services are more pronounced for Privately Sponsored Refugees and Blended Visa Office-Referred Refugees than for Government Assisted Refugees. This disparity may be attributed to refugees' greater reliance on bridging social capital rather than on support from government agencies. Additionally, employment-related services are more effective in larger urban centres than in mid-sized or smaller communities. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing settlement service delivery in smaller and mid-sized communities to improve refugee labour market outcomes.