St. John's LIP Newsletter, October, 2017 
The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is a broad-based partnership designed to support the wellbeing and participation 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.
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
  • Get Involved  
What's new at the St. John's LIP 
The LIP has a new logo!

The St. John’s LIP has a new logo, designed by Karly Barker. The connected beach rocks have a symbolic significance that represent the values of the LIP. Like beach rocks on the water’s edge, we are all different but together we make this place. Each person is unique but we are all connected to our St. John’s home. Many are drawn to beach rock because they symbolize our connection to the ocean and our connection to place. The heart shaped rock represents love for our community and that in becoming a resident of St. John’s, the person is joining a community of many different and unique people.
Tales from Afar: Old Stories from New Residents


The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership and the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) are collaborating on a project to collect and share the diversity of oral traditions that exist within the region, and to create a showcase of traditional stories and folktales from around the world.

Over the past several months the HFNL has been collecting folktales, legends, myths, stories of saints and miracles, ghost stories, fables, or traditional children’s tales -- any story that has been passed down by word of mouth.

Participants could be newcomers in the truest sense of the word - recent refugees, temporary foreign workers, international students, newly arrived professionals or economic migrants, or could be well-established immigrants who have long since made St. John’s their home.

Stories are being shared weekly - visit

The Devil’s Tramping Ground(United States) - as told by Grace Dow
The Legend of St. Nicholas (France)- as told by Celine Schneider
The Legend of Snail Island  (China) - as told by Tanyan Ye
The Frogs in the Bucket  (Germany) - as told by Antje Springmann
News and Updates
New Report - Immigration to Atlantic Canada: Toward a Prosperous Future

This report from the Conference Board of Canada evaluates why the Atlantic region needs immigrants, its immigration trends and issues, and the new Atlantic Immigration Pilot and offers suggestions to support improvements to the region’s immigrant attraction and retention efforts.

This report focuses on immigration as a key policy lever that can help support the region’s prosperity. It draws from a literature and data analysis and the findings of 22 interviews conducted with officials from the three levels of government, the immigrant settlement sector, business groups, and the post-secondary education sector.

The report can be downloaded for free here
Government of Canada implements new legislative changes to the Citizenship Act

Further to changes introduced earlier this year, important changes to physical presence and the age required to meet language and knowledge requirements for permanent residents who are applying for citizenship will come into effect on October 11, 2017. The new requirements will give more flexibility to both younger and older eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship. They will also help individuals who have already begun building lives in Canada achieve citizenship faster.

News release: Government of Canada implements new legislative changes to the Citizenship Act

For more details see Changes to the Citizenship Act as a Result of Bill C-6 Backgrounder

Entrepreneurial Expo

The ANC's Career and Employment Division, AXIS (Acquiring Experience; Integrating Skills), hosted an Entrepreneurial Expo at the Avalon Mall on September 24 to highlight a number of local, newcomer-owned businesses.

Businesses included: Avalon Tailor; Avalon Tech; Desi Meal Restaurant; Mr. Souvlaki; Newbornlander; Noella’s Best Cleaning Services; Rainbow Art School; RJ Pinoy Yum; Wichan Y Photography; and, Xtra Mile Cleaning Services.
 
Upcoming Events
International Student Welcome Mixer

October 19th
Foran/Greene Room
4th Floor City Hall
10 New Gower Street

Hosted by the St. John's Board of Trade, Memorial University and the City of St. John's and sponsored by Desjardins and Oceans Advance.

International students from Memorial University contribute to the cultural, social, scientific and economic richness of the city, adding youth and vibrancy to all aspects of city life. Join us at City Hall to welcome new international students to St. John’s.

This informal mixer will bring international students together with the business community and city stakeholders. This networking opportunity will allow students to begin to develop that important relationship with our city and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.Many international students are permitted to work off-campus from the day of their arrival in Canada. Early networking could engage employers with a group of potential employees they may not have considered before.

Light snacks will be available.  Click here for more information and to register. Space is limited so register by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Sharing our Cultures 2017-2018

Everyone has a culture, what’s yours?
Are you a high school student?
Would you like to share your culture with the public and Grade six students at The Rooms?
Theme: “Music, Dance, Stories”
 
Sharing Our Cultures events are held 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 is "Music, Dance, Stories." For more information about this year's programs or to get involved, visit http://www.sharingourcultures.com/ or contact

Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe
(709) 726-1504
lloydetta@sharingourcultures.com
Annual Settlement Outreach Trip
October 16-20
Members of the ANC’s Settlement, Settlement Workers in the Schools (SWIS), and Diversity Outreach Teams will travel across the province to meet with newcomers/related stakeholders (including private sponsors and sponsored refugees) and provide diversity presentations to schools and members of the community.
Intercultural Film Series

October 17th, 7:00pm
AC Hunter Public Library Community Room.

Intercultural expert Dr. Willow Anderson invites you to attend an evening of film and discussion on Tuesday, October 17th at 7:00 PM in the AC Hunter Public Library Community Room. Come and watch the NFB film, Where I Belong, by Arinze Eze and enjoy some topical discussion after.

Synopsis:
This documentary tells the story of a young man’s struggle to balance his African traditions and new Canadian home. Arinze Eze was born in Canada and raised in Nigeria. An engineer by trade, he returned to his birthplace after 20 years. There, he starts a new career in the arts and falls in love with Canadian woman. All is well until his parents come for a visit. How will they react to this new life?


This is the first event in an Intercultural Film Series with the NL Public Libraries. 

Call 737-3950 to register.
Adapting Heritage Conference

Rapid demographic and social change, market forces, the influx of new cultural communities, technology and climate change are all having a transformative affect on our heritage – whether it be our historic places or our cultural traditions and practices.

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with Memorial University, is hosting a conference "Adapting Heritage: Engage, Innovate, Rejuvenate" that will explore the trends that are impacting our heritage, along with strategies for ensuring the successful adaptation of our historic places and cultural traditions through three events:

From October 25 – 28, 2017, in the heart of historic St. John’s, a forum, workshop and conference will explore the trends that are impacting our heritage.

Go to http://www.adaptingheritage.ca/ for more information and to register.
Women to Women Empowering Leadership Conference
November 2nd and 3rd, 2017
The Lantern

The annual Empowering Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity for women of all backgrounds and sectors to learn and grow together: developing self knowledge and enhancing professional skills through stories and actionable examples of leadership shared by leading women in our communities.

This year, our programme focuses on the tools and stories of practical application, shared by some of the most resilient and accomplished women in our province. Through these processes, we know that we can help women achieve an understanding of their own leadership ability, identify strategies to reach their potential, and build the skills to influence change and gain support within their organizations.

For more information, visit http://www.w2wnl.ca/.
Programs and Initiatives
ANC Programs

ESL Evening Classes – The ANC is offering Evening English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes at its ESL Training Centre on Smithville Crescent in St. John's - every Tuesday from 7-9 pm. The classes are available in 4 different levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pronunciation. For more information, please contact Marlene at (709) 726-6848 or linc@nfld.net

LINC Home Study Program – This distance ESL program is offered to eligible newcomers who wish to improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. For more information, check out the brochure here or contact Marlene at (709) 726-6848 or linc@nfld.net

Outreach ESL Tutor Program – Are you a Permanent Resident, Canadian Citizen, or Provincial Nominee living outside St. John’s looking for ESL training? Contact us today at (709) 579-9172 or research@nfld.net to enroll in our Outreach ESL Tutor Program!

Computer Support Class – The ANC is offering a weekly Computer Support Class for newcomer young adults every Wednesday from 2:00-3:30 in the Computer Lab of the ESL Training Centre. Please contact Meghan at (709) 722-2828 or  youth@nfld.net for more information.

CELPIP Testing – The ANC offers monthly Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Testing at its ESL Training Centre on Smithville Crescent. For more information, please contact Marlene at (709) 726-6848 or  linc@nfld.net

St. John's Board of Trade Connector Program

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.

CMHC Newcomer Housing Guide

CMHC is the Government of Canada's national housing agency and the go-to resource to better help you settle in Canada. We are providing you with housing information to help you make decisions and find a safe, affordable home for your family. According to the 2006 Census, an average of 240,000 newcomers arrive in Canada each year. As a result, roughly two-thirds of Canada's annual population growth now comes from net international migration.

For many of these new arrivals, finding a safe, affordable place to live can be an immediate challenge, especially since housing in Canada varies greatly between provinces and territories, cities and communities. To help Canada’s newcomers make the best housing decisions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the tips on what to look for when buying or renting a new home.

The guide is available in 8 languages at the following link: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/newcomers/en/index.html
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 60 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 jbarry@st.johns.ca

Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsLIP