Waterloo Region is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Anishnaabe and Chonnonton peoples. This land, within the Haldimand tract, is promised to the Six Nations of the Grand River, taking in six miles on each side of the Grand River. We acknowledge the enduring presence of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land, and our shared responsibility to help realise the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action. | | Immigration Partnership Highlights | |
- Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival returns this September
- Less than a month until Welcoming Week!
- March of 1.000 Umbrellas
- Be part of the YMCA's Mentorship Program
- Service Canada webinars coming up in September!
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) seeking feedback on 2027 economic priorities
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation is accepting applications for the National Anti-Racism Fund
- Cultural Competency Training by PCHS
- Waterloo Region Community Foundation funding streams are currently accepting applications
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Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is now accepting applications
- Events & News!
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Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival returns this September
The Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF) returns this September, bringing our community together through stories of migration, identity, belonging, and resilience. The festival launches alongside Welcoming Week with our opening film screening on September 10, followed by screenings throughout September and into October.
This year’s lineup features three films exploring different experiences of migration and belonging: Journey of Resilience, a locally produced film by Waterloo Region filmmaker Great Osa-oni; Your Country, My Country; and Home No More.
If you or your organization is interested in hosting a film screening as part of the festival, please contact Abiha Syed at asyed@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Stay tuned! Public screening dates will be announced soon, with the festival continuing through October 2.
Join us for the WRMFF opening film screening!
The festival opens with a screening of Your Country, My Country, a short film by Marquise Lepage that explores friendship, race, and different perspectives on life through the story of two ten-year-old schoolchildren in Montréal.
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 12PM–1:15PM
Online | Free
Join the screening here!
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Less than a month until Welcoming Week!
Welcoming Week takes place September 10-19, 2026. It is a global movement that brings neighbours of all backgrounds together to build connections and celebrate the importance of welcoming and inclusive communities.
The momentum is building! Events are already being planned across Waterloo Region, and we’d love for you to be part of it. Immigration Partnership’s Belong Steering Group invites you to host your own event and help make Welcoming Week 2026 a celebration of connection, diversity, and belonging across our region.
Whether big or small, your event can create opportunities for people to connect, build relationships, and feel a greater sense of belonging. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s celebration!
To participate, get ideas, or learn more, please contact Abiha Syed at Asyed@regionofwaterloo.ca or register your event here by September 1.
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Every year tells a story
Our story is one of partnerships built over the years, communities strengthened through consistency and effort, and countless moments of connection that moved our work forward.
Our 2025 Annual Report is a reflection of the people, organizations, and communities that made another year of impact possible.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Read our 2025 Annual Report and celebrate everything we achieved together.
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Explore the Waterloo Region Immigration Strategy 2025-2028
The Waterloo Region Immigration Strategy 2025-2028 is available on our website. This strategic plan is our roadmap for supporting immigrant and refugee success across organizations and sectors over the next three years. Developed with input from immigrants, community partners, and the wider community, it outlines shared priorities and actions to make Waterloo Region more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. Check it out, decide how you will contribute towards these shared community goals and take action.
Read the full Strategic Plan to learn about our goals and initiatives: Strategic Plan - Immigration Waterloo Region
| | Immigrant Survey Results & Snapshots | | Learn about the experiences of immigrants and international students and how to make changes that help build a better community for everyone in the reports from the most Immigration Partnership Surveys. Over 2,000 newcomers shared their experiences of living, working or studying in Waterloo Region. Leverage their insights to help guide your policy, program and investment decisions. | | Immigration Partnership Resources | | | | |
Are you assisting the Ukrainian community in Waterloo Region?
This CUAET support resources provides key updates on status, permits, and service eligibility for CUAET visa holders as changes take effect on March 31, 2025.
| | | | Use the Interpretation Checklist and make your organization accessible to over 10,000 residents who don’t speak English or French by providing interpretation. | | New to Waterloo Region? Check this out! | | |
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Be part of the YMCA's Mentorship Program
YMCA of Three Rivers Immigrant Services Mentorship Program is all about the community helping newcomer professionals successfully enter the job market in Canada. Mentors should be in their professional field for a minimum of 3 years. All professional fields welcomed.
Make a difference in the life of a newcomer!
Contact jin.doh@ymcathreerivers.org for more information
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Girls E-Mentorship (GEM) is looking for professional female mentors
Girls E-Mentorship is launching its first Waterloo Region cohort this fall! GEM is a research-backed structured mentorship program for high school girls facing socio-economic challenges. Central to the program are dedicated female mentors with 5 or more years of career experience.
If you want to help the next generation of women succeed, don't hesitate to reach out or check out the website for more information: Girls E-Mentorship (GEM)
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Aug. 28, 6:30 - 8:30PM, Victoria Park Pavillion | Free
Indigenous & Newcomer Gathering
Come together, share stories and experiences, and build meaningful connections in a welcoming and respectful space.
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Region of Waterloo Children's Services is developing its 2027-2031 Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan and is seeking your feedback
Your input will help identify local needs, priorities, and opportunities for improvement, informing decisions that will support a high-quality, accessible, and equitable early years and child care system for children and families across the region.
Please take 5-7 minutes to complete the survey by Aug. 28, 2026 - CHS Community Partner Survey
All survey responses will remain private and confidential. If you have questions about the survey or require it in an alternative format, please contact Fidelia Ukueje at fukueje@regionofwaterloo.ca or 226-748-4964.
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Service Canada webinars coming up in September!
Service Canada will be hosting webinars to provide you with information about federal programs and services that could benefit your clients and strengthen your ability to connect clients with the Government of Canada assistance they need.
Select your sessions of interest and register by September 7, 2026. All sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams.
Sept. 10, 1PM - 2PM, Online | Free
Sept. 10, 2PM - 3PM, Online | Free
Sept. 10, 3PM - 4PM, Online | Free
| | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Updates & News | | Initiatives & Funding Opportunities | | |
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Grant Application Deadlines for 2026
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has published grant application deadlines to support the non-profit sector across Ontario.
To learn more, visit Grant Application Deadlines | Ontario Trillium Foundation
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Nominations for the P2P 2026 Jean McRae Legacy Award are now open!
Are you a newcomer youth leader, or do you know someone who would benefit from this opportunity?
The Jean McRae Legacy Award provides newcomer youth in Canada with the opportunity to attend the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) 2026 National Conference, connect with others, and expand their professional development in the settlement and integration sector.
Applications should be submitted to admin@p2pcanada.ca with the subject line: Application for Jean McRae Award, by August 28, 2026.
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Are you a talented artist, performer, leader, or visionary? Applications for the Majdi Bou-Matar Bursary are open
The Majdi Bou-Matar Bursary, named after the visionary founder of MT Space, offers $5,000 and a year-long mentorship designed to fit the recipient. This bursary is open to performers, leaders, and administrators who are: Racialized (newcomer, immigrant, refugee) and/or Indigenous, emerging in their craft/ career in the Canadian performing arts sector and within commuting distance of MT Space (located in KW region)
The deadline to submit your application is August 31, 2026: Majdi Bou-Matar Bursary Fund - MT Space
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Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is accepting applications for the National Anti-Racism Fund
The CRRF is accepting applications from organizations working on anti-racism projects in Canada. These projects must be implemented between April 1, 2027, and March 31, 2028. Please read through the guidelines below for a clear understanding of the NARF Projects funding.
Organizations are invited to apply if they plan to implement projects that are aligned with one or more of the key themes and objectives.
Learn more: Projects Grants – Canadian Race Relations Foundation
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Sept. 3, 10AM - 3PM, Online | Free
Cultural Competency Training by PCHS
Cultural competence plays a vital role in delivering effective settlement services to Canada’s diverse newcomer population. It ensures equitable access to programs and services while addressing the unique needs of newcomers from varied cultural backgrounds.
PCHS will be offering a Cultural Competency Training designed to strengthen the capacity of frontline settlement staff in providing inclusive and responsive services.
Note: This training is exclusively for IRCC-funded frontline settlement staff.
Register here!
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Waterloo Region Community Foundation funding streams are currently accepting applications
Waterloo Region Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for several funding streams. Click the links below for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply:
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Promotion of Bilingual Services
The Promotion of Bilingual Services subcomponent encourages non-governmental organizations to provide services in English and French, and to share their best practices through innovative projects or initiatives.
Priority is given to projects and initiatives that develop delivery models for bilingual services (action plan, policy development, pilot projects in organizations and businesses, feeder projects, mechanisms that can be exported to other organizations, etc.).
Submit your nominations by November 15, 2026
Learn more at Promotion of Bilingual Services – Promotion of Linguistic Duality - Canada.ca
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Recognize the volunteers who make a lasting impact in your community by nominating them for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards!
This award honors individuals for their ongoing commitment to an organization. Adults are recognized for five to 65 years of continuous service with a single organization, while youth (24 and under) are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.
Submit your nominations by November 15, 2026
Learn more at Honours and awards: volunteering | ontario.ca
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Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is now accepting applications
The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is a $500 million program that provides funding to municipalities, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations and (for new builds only) for-profit organizations through two program streams for projects that:
Submit your application by December 22, 2026
Learn more at Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Want to learn more?
Join the online information session on August 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. to learn about the fund and application process. A recording of the webinar will be available later.
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City of Waterloo's 2026/2027 Ageing Well Directory for older adults
The 2026-2027 Ageing Well Directory is a ‘one-stop-shop’ resource that contains a comprehensive list of programs and services in Waterloo for older adults. Included in the Directory is a listing of agencies, institutions, support networks, cultural groups, health, recreation, transportation, housing, and other useful information for older adults living in Waterloo.
| | La Communauté en Français | | | |
Guide d'établissement pour les communautés francophones de l'Ontario
Ce guide se veut une source d'information pour le personnel de première ligne des prestataires de services de langue anglaise afin qu'il puisse plus facilement orienter les clients francophones vers les services de langue française dans leur zone géographique.
Plus d'informations : Settling-in-French-in-Ontario - Settlement-Guide.pdf
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Learn how employers can apply for funding to train their employees, update their skills and help Ontarians find new jobs
The Ontario Job Grant (OJG) provides funding to help businesses train their employees and update their skills. This helps employers ensure their workforce has the right skills to adapt to a changing economy.
Funding for the OJG is provided in part by the Government of Canada through the Canada–Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement.
For more information, including eligibility and how to apply, visit:
Ontario Job Grant | ontario.ca
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Worker Retention Grant for Work-sharing Employers
The Worker Retention Grant (WRG) is designed to enable employers with an approved and implemented Work-Sharing agreement who commit to fostering training opportunities to provide additional income support to their Employment Insurance (EI) eligible employees.
Apply by Dec. 31, 2026: Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers
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August 27-30 | Free
Uptown Waterloo Busker Carnival
Four days, multiple stages, performances throughout Uptown Waterloo and so much more to find during this amazing Carnival.
Learn more
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August 29, 10AM, Kiwanis Park, Kitchener | Free
Summer Family Outing
Join NIROW for a day of camaraderie, games, food & fun for the whole family.
Register now
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Until August, Waterloo Park | Free
Movies in the Park
Join movie nights in the park on the big outdoor screen.
Learn more
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Nov. 5, 2PM - 6PM, 101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo | Free
City of Waterloo Senior Health Fair
The City of Waterloo's annual Senior Health Fair returns this fall, connecting older adults with local health and community services. For questions please email healthfair@waterloo.ca
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Region of Waterloo Employment Services Newsletter
Sign up for news, info sessions, events and employment information.
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Last Monday of every month, 5PM - 6:30PM, 800 King St W, Kitchener | Free
Rainbow Newcomer Support Circles
Join a supportive, inclusive space where Rainbow Immigrants and Refugees come together to build community, support one another, and navigate through challenges together. Register now, and information will be sent to your email as soon as possible.
Register now
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Tue. & Thur., 52 Regina St. N, Waterloo | Free
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Tuesdays, 52 Regina St. N, Waterloo | Free
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Aug. 17 & Sept 2., 52 Regina St. N, Waterloo | Free
*Registration required: 226-344-5169
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Aug. 24, 11AM-1PM, 52 Regina St. N, Waterloo | Free
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Send us any suggestions or information about relevant events and resources to include in the Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly by emailing Diana Carrillo at djoya@regionofwaterloo.ca
We encourage you to add your own events to our community calendar
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