Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
June 7 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
We want at least 1,500 immigrants to tell us how to build a better community! We have reached 31.4% of our goal so far: 385 responses in English and 86 in other languages.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the 471 immigrants who already completed the survey and to you, our partners and community members who have helped encourage participation.

We have two weeks to go and at least more 1,039 people to reach! Be an #ImmigrantSurvey ambassador and encourage immigrants in your networks to tell us what matters to them. The #ImmigrantSurvey kit contains social media images and post samples, translated resources and more. This survey is for everyone in Waterloo Region who was born outside Canada – family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, clients, constituents and more!

More information on how to become a #ImmigrantSurvey ambassador and complete the survey here:
Conestoga College, a Strategic Partner Helping Refugees Succeed
We were very happy to join Reception House Waterloo Region to recognize Conestoga College's commitment to supporting Reception House’s Working Together Employment Project by offering a three month on-the-job language course designed to help refugees excel in the workplace! Listen to Shawn Brake, Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies Dean at Conestoga College, in this video clip as he talks about the power of partnerships and invites employers to consider new and innovative ways to enrich their workforce. For information on how to get involved hiring refugees and other immigrants, email at NWhittington@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Jun 16. A Webinar for Employers Looking for a Source of Immigrant Talent
Waterloo Region employers are encouraged to join fellow employers and other stakeholders who have invested in our economic growth and recovery from across Southwestern Ontario for a virtual presentation featuring incredible speakers on the benefits of hiring and nurturing a bilingual workforce and how to access bilingual talent and resources in the region.  To register, click here.
June 22. Bilingualism: Adding Value in the Workplace
We encourage local employers join fellow employers and other stakeholders who have invested in our economic growth and recovery from across Southwestern Ontario for a virtual presentation with a panel of incredible speakers to explore the benefits of a bilingual workforce and how employers can access bilingual talent and resources in the region. To register, click here.

This event is brought to you by Immploy, a community project of WIL Employment Connections, Francophone Immigration Network Central-southwestern Ontario (Réseau en Immigration Francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario), and Local Immigration Partnerships from across Southwest Ontario including London-Middlesex, Sarnia-Lambton, Huron County, Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo Region.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Join the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's Board
The Chamber is currently looking for Directors to serve on its Board. GKWCC values a Board of Directors comprised of talented and committed individuals with a wide range of experience, knowledge, abilities, and backgrounds. Those Interested can submit a form linked here. Deadline: June 15. 
Today: Last Chance to Complete the Youth Impact Survey
Youth Impact Survey extended until June 7. Diverse Youth in Waterloo Region between the ages 9 and 18 are invited to participate in the Youth Impact Survey. Available in English and French, this 20-30 minute survey is totally voluntary and anonymous. Youth who fill it out will receive volunteer hours and a chance to win prizes and the data collected will help inform future experiences for children and youth in Waterloo Region. Please share widely and encourage youth of all backgrounds to participate.
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Municipal Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across the region, visit the Region of Waterloo website.

It includes information on pre-registration for 12-17 year olds, earlier appointment for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults in the 80+ age group, where to get the vaccine in Waterloo Region and much more.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the
Federal
Government
To learn more about the government support for individuals, businesses and industries during the COVID-19 Outbreak, visit the Government of Canada Website.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

This briefing presented by The Conference Board of Canada focuses on COVID-19’s effect on immigration admissions and settlement patterns to help stakeholders respond effectively, and models the economic implications of different levels of immigration over time.

From the beginning of April to early May 2021, Statistics Canada conducted a survey to better understand the ongoing effects of the pandemic on businesses. Based on the results of the survey, while the majority of businesses in Canada expected to be impacted, smaller businesses expected more significant impacts, such as a decrease in profitability & sales.
Other Information and Resources

Census collection started on May 3, 2021, and is well underway! It’s still not too late to complete your census and by doing this you help your community.  A fact sheet on the census is available in 25 languages. It provides an overview of the census, when it occurs, why it's important and how census information is used.

In celebration of World Refugee Day, join Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC) to hear reflections on challenges, resilience and the hope for the future from newcomers and local refugee serving organizations. Attendees will hear presentations from newcomer youth and honour the recipients of the World Refugee Day Awards of Distinction.

This survey seeks input from the general public and a wide range of stakeholders on how to improve access to French-language services. This solution-focused approach will help identify legislative barriers and innovative delivery models that can expand the provision of these services.

This edition's highlights include information on recent changes to the entry requirements that came into effect on May 22, 2021 that apply to all persons entering Canada, including sponsored refugees, the details of upcoming workshops and webinars, and more.

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is seeking volunteer Board members with experience in equity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism work, health and wellness, real estate development, finance, legal, user-experience innovation, and organizational development and culture. Deadline:June 30.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
Celebrating Indigenous and Pride Month - You & Your Business, June 9, 1-2pm
Join the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series to hear from Anishnabeg and Diverseat on how to to recognize, celebrate and support our Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ communities during Indigenous and Pride Month, as well as year-round.
Workplace Sexual Harassment Info Workshop in Arabic, June 8, 6-7:30pm
Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre and Waterloo Region Community Legal Service host this interactive discussion about legal issues surrounding workplace sexual harassment. It will discuss inappropriate and harassing behaviours in the workplace and how to address those issues with your employer. This is workshop is part of a series and will also be presented in Farsi, Turkish, and Tigrinya.
UPstream Speaker's Series, June 10, 15, 17 and 21
The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council is launching an ongoing virtual series starting with the first of four introductory events: "(Re)Think "Crime" …because it's not real" on June 10 to learn about the injustices of the concept of "crime," particularly how it affects Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, and those of low or no income. Register for this event here.
Young Men Leading Change (YMLC) Summit and Workshops, June 12-13
The KW Multicultural Centre invites young BIPOC men ages 17-25 to attend the YMLC Summit to meet other young men of colour from communities across Ontario, learn from women and non-binary community leaders working to end violence, practice new leadership skills with the support of Young Men Leading Change Mentors and more.
Proud To Be: A Variety Show, Jun 17, 7pm
Join THEMUSEUM and Spectrum for a virtual pride event with special guests including TikTok Star and Canada’s Drag Race contestant, Kyne, as well as a variety of performances and activities.
How to Hire Youth in a Post-Pandemic Economy, June 23, 11am-12;30pm
The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is organizing an event to assist employers in post-Pandemic youth hiring practices. This event will map out a variety of services and resources available to employers when hiring from the youth talent pool.
How to Prepare a Successful Application Package under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program, June 9, 3pm
This webinar delivered by Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement programs for new and experienced sponsors will provide an in-depth look at how to prepare applications to sponsor refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program, including: an overview of the application process; how to structure applications;
Inter-Cultural Dialogue: Bridging the Gap Between Newcomers and Indigenous People, June 9, 1pm
This National Newcomer Navigation Network webinar highlights an innovative program at Mount Carmel Clinic that builds bridges, strengthens relationships and honors the uniqueness and commonalities between newcomer and Indigenous groups.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News








The Kitchener Today, June 3, 2021

The Immigration Waterloo Region calendar has information about local programs and events for newcomers. Subscribe for a digest of events coming up in the next week or add your own events to share.
Feel free to send suggestions or relevant events/resources to include to the Immigration Waterlooo Region weekly by emailing Dan Vandebelt (dvandebelt@regionofwaterloo.ca) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez (AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca)
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