St. John's LIP Newsletter, April, 2017
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The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is a broad-based partnership designed to support the participation and wellbeing of newcomers in all aspects of life in the city, as well as to strengthen the city’s ability to integrate newcomer needs into municipal planning processes. The St. John’s LIP is co-led by the City of St. John’s and the Association for New Canadians and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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In this Newsletter:
We've heard from our Partnership Council and others that there is a need for more tools for connecting individuals interested in immigration issues in the city. To help meet that need, and to encourage collaboration and information sharing, we have decided to create a newsletter to
be distributed 6 times a year and will include the following information:
- What's New at the St. John's LIP
- News and Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Programs and Initiatives
- Research
- Get Involved
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What's new at the St. John's LIP
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On March 2nd, 2017 the LIP hosted it's annual community annual engagement event. at City Hall. The intention behind the Forum was to increase the LIP’s capacity to build a welcoming community through relationship building and information sharing. 85 people attended the forum, participating in a day-long serious of presentations and workshops on immigration in the province, promoting diversity in organizations, newcomer health and education, and building a welcoming St. John's. Participants had the opportunity to network and share information with other individuals and organizations with an interest in immigration.
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Hiring Newcomers: Employer Information Session
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This session was co-hosted by the St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) and the St. John’s Board of Trade and was held in conjunction with the 2017 LIP Community Forum. The session included a local “success story” describing the process and benefits of hiring newcomers to Canada, as well as a Question and Answer period with Sean Morency, Employer Liaison Officer for Atlantic Canada with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Mr. Morency provided information on topics including:
- Who is allowed to work in Canada
- Options for recruiting assistance via Canadian offices overseas
- Programs and processes for allowing foreign workers to work in Canada, as temporary or permanent residents
- Temporary resident status – work permits, temporary resident visas, renewals, changes of employer
- How the Express Entry system works and an update on changes to the system
- Job offers and provincial/territorial nominations
- Invitation to apply and how to submit an application
- The new Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
For a copy of Sean Morency's presentation e-mail [email protected]
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New Provincial Action Plan - The Way Forward: Immigration in NL
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On March 24th, 2017 the Government of NL launched a 5-year action plan on Immigration to the province.
The plan is divided into two phases, the first addressing immediate actions to be taken in 2017, and the second detailing efforts to continue into 2018 and beyond. Collaboration, engagement, and partnership are integral to the plan in recognition that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians play a role in immigrant attraction and retention.
Highlights of these partnerships include:
- Collaborating with employers to support better planning and maximize the use of the province’s annual Provincial Nominee Program allocation;
- Exploring opportunities to introduce new categories under the Provincial Nominee Program, including International Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur;
- Engaging community organizations and service providers to deliver settlement supports for immigrants;
- Partnering with community organizations and service providers to increase Francophone immigrant attraction and retention;
- Engaging employers to implement the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project, an opportunity to welcome up to 442 immigrants and their families to the province annually;
- Collaborating with employers to pilot international student placements and the My First Newfoundland and Labrador Job program for international graduates; and
- Partnering with employers to promote the province nationally and internationally
Click here to read the full report
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Sharing Our Cultures events are held every year in recognition of the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21) and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Multiculturalism Week. This year’s theme was in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The program, established in 1999, engages high school youth in skills-development workshops which culminate in them sharing their cultures with the public and over 800 Grade 6 students at a three-day event at The Rooms.
The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador conducted an interview with Founder and CEO Lloydetta Quaicoe and created a podcast with more information on the program. The podcast can be listened to
here.
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Multiculturalism Week 2017: ANC Global Tour
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In celebration of Multiculturalism Week in the province, on March 23rd the Association for New Canadians hosted a Global Tour cultural showcase to celebrate the many countries represented by newcomers attending the ESL Training Centre. The showcase included, historical and cultural information, art, traditional clothing, flags, and music. The event also featured the official launch of a video starring newcomer children and youth which illustrated their experiences of living in their new community.
Click here to view the video
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Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Information Session
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On Friday, April 28th, the St. John's Board of Trade is hosting an information session on how to become a designate employer for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) will help address labour market challenges in the Atlantic Provinces by assisting employers in attracting and retaining skilled immigrants. Newfoundland and Labrador is working closely with the other Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government to ensure the successful development and delivery of the AIPP.
To participate, employers must meet certain requirements, including a commitment to support the newcomer and their family as they integrate into their new life in Atlantic Canada. Starting in early March 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will begin accepting permanent resident applications targeting international students, intermediate-skilled workers and high-skilled workers.
Location:34 Harvey Road
Date/Time Information: Friday April 28 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Open to members and non-members of the St. John's Board of Trade.
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Diversity Symposium
The ANC is hosting a Diversity Symposium on Thursday, May 25th, 2017 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Hotel Gander in Gander, NL.
The theme this year is “Business Diversity at the Crossroads of the World” and it is expected that a broad cross-section of central Newfoundland’s business community will participate. There will also be a pre-Symposium Coffee Networking Session, starting at 9am, hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE).
For more information, please contact Justin at [email protected] or 722-0718
Computer Support Class
The ANC is offering a weekly Computer Support Class for newcomer young adults every Wednesday from 2-3:30 in the Computer Lab of our ESL Training Centre. Please contact Meghan at (709) 722-2828 or [email protected] for more information.
Interpreters Needed
The ANC is seeking interpreters for Swahili, Kiswahili, and Kirundi. Please contact (709) 722-9680 or [email protected] for information or to sign-up.
Multicultural Family Sports Day
To celebrate Canada Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day, the Association for New Canadians is hosting its fifth annual Multicultural Family Sports Day on Friday, June 30 in St. John’s. The event will bring together immigrants, refugees and the local community to participate in a day-long inter-cultural awareness event and will include a variety of family-oriented games and sports (e.g., tug-of-war, volleyball, soccer, potato-sack-race, etc.), face-painting, and a lunchtime barbecue/snacks.
The ANC is currently seeking financial contributions from the community to help support this event. For more information or to contribute, please contact Jon at
[email protected] or 579-9172
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Spring International Food and Craft Fair
This community event will feature local and immigrant food and craft vendors representing many countries around the world. There will also be door prizes and 50/50 draw.
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Time: 10 am - 4 pm.
Place: St. John's Lions Club Chalet (location for the St. John's Farmers Market)
Admission: By donation. (Proceeds from donation will be donated to a local charitable group).
Contact Zainab Jerrett
Tel.: (709) 722-8103, (709) 699-6995
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.arhyel.ca/IFCE
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/291891860989255/
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Conversation Café
For English Learners Everyone welcome - An opportunity to practice English!
When: Wednesdays, January 25th to May 10th
Time: 6:45pm-8:00 pm
Where: 1 Escasoni Place, St. John’s, NL Bethesda Pentecostal Church - Multipurpose Room
Refreshments and Childcare provided
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Youth Video Festival Celebration
This year, in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary of confederation, Sharing Our Cultures Incorporated is hosting our first ever Youth Video Festival Celebration!
This is a province-wide contest where we are encouraging high school students to submit 3-5 minute videos that describe or demonstrate what Canada means to them. Participants have the chance to win one of our five cash prizes - first place is $750, second is $500, third is $250 and then we have two honourable mentions for $100 each! The winners selected will be showcased at a video festival we will have in May at the INCO Innovation Centre at MUN where they will have the chance to explain their work and be awarded prizes.
Submissions will be accepted until April 13th, 2017. Submissions can be e-mailed to [email protected] and lots of information can be found on our website: www.sharingourcultures.com/canada-150/ we also have a Twitter account set up for the project @VideoFestNL and a Facebook page Canada 150 Youth Video Festival Celebration Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information contact Danika Crossman at [email protected]
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St. John’s Board of Trade Connector Program
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The St. John’s Connector Program is an effective networking program that helps local businesses and organizations connect with immigrants, international students and graduates who are interested in starting and growing their career in St. John’s.Through one-on-one meetings, local business and community leaders known as Connectors meet with talent interested in opportunities in St. John’s. The Connector gains access to a wealth of diverse, pre-qualified talent and Connectees gain insight into their professional network, and connect with career opportunities.
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New study: Immigrant Businesses in Knowledge-based Industries
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Private incorporated businesses owned by immigrants were more likely to be located in knowledge-based industries than businesses owned by people born in Canada. Immigrant-owned businesses were also more likely to be located in industries such as retail trade and food services.
The new study "Immigrant Businesses in Knowledge-based Industries" from Statistics Canada uses the new Canadian Employer–Employee Dynamics Database to compare the industry classification of businesses owned by immigrants and Canadian-born individuals. To date, little is known about the extent and types of immigrant-owned businesses in Canada.
Click here for more information
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Submit Your Events and Get Involved
Do you have an upcoming event the community should know about? Would you like us to highlight a successful program or initiative? Get in touch if you wish to have your organization's work included in the newsletter.
The St. John’s LIP also has many opportunities for you to get involved. The LIP is comprised of over 80 volunteers who participate through involvement on the Partnership Council or on one of the four working groups.
Contact Jessica Barry, LIP Project Officer, for more information at [email protected]'s.ca
Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsLIP
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