Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
April 26, 2021


We are in this together but impacted unequally.
Let’s help everyone stay healthy, Waterloo Region.
Immigration Partnership Updates
Building Community Through Immigration at a Glance, Q1 Update
In this issue of the Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly, we are pleased to share a few highlights from collective community efforts to build community through immigration in the first quarter of 2021:

  • As part of the Immigration Partnership’s Anti-Racism Commitment, we together with the Children and Youth Planning Table continue our anti-racism journey with a new series of Anti-Racism 102 training workshops for community partners and staff. This 2-hour session with Evelyn Amponsah, a visionary leader grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression, uses case studies to move us from theory to practice.
  • We launched the 2021 #RacialEquityWR campaign for the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, with a focus on action and accountability. In 23 videos from 20 organizations our partners shared how their organizations are addressing racism and racial discrimination and what changes can be expected as a result of that worK. The videos were posted online using the hashtag #RacialEquityWR and recorded over 7,000 views and 25,251 impressions on our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Check them out.
  • 25 leaders from ethnocultural communities and faith groups in Waterloo Region came together for an Ethno-Cultural Leadership Roundtable on April 8. During this session we dug into some of the challenges of staying connected with other members of their community during the pandemic and the resources and strategies used to overcome those challenges. 
  • We published the 2021 list of Waterloo Region’s top languages for interpretation and translation. This resource is a guide to inform program planning and development, and has in part informed COVID vaccine outreach efforts.
  • We worked closely with the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and Southwestern Ontario Local Immigration Partnerships to host virtual events for employers to build their capacity to hire and retain immigrants and enable them to meet and explore potential employment relationships with immigrants.
For more information, please click here.
April 28: "Managing Creditors One Year Into Covid" Webinar
A new webinar of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series will take place this Wednesday, April 28. It will discuss the current financial climate in the Waterloo region with Mike Braga, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee with BDO Canada. Topics include: dealing with CRA and landlords, director’s personal responsibilities for a company’s debts and launching a successful relaunch. Registration now open.
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Applications Open for the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation's Community Grants

The Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Community Grants which will be distributed in the Spring to support a wide range of projects in the areas of affordable housing, healthy children and youth, and/or social inclusion. Deadline: May 6, 2021.
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.
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.

The travel restrictions include the banning of all passenger and business flights from India and Pakistan starting at 11:30 p.m. EST on April 22, 2021, for 30 days.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

The Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre - KWMC and Kitchener Public Library are hosting an online Vaccine Information Session in Tigrinya tonight, April 26 at 7pm, to learn how to register in Waterloo Region and get information about safe isolation sites. Email elizabeth@kwmc-on.com or call 519 590 3063 to register.

The Region Waterloo opened a safe voluntary isolation site for community members who need of a place to isolate due to COVID-19. There are no costs for people to stay at the site. It includes a number of amenities and services to help people feel comfortable and supported during their stay. Interpretation is available.

In this Region of Waterloo video, Imam Abdul Manan Zubair of the Muslim Society of Waterloo and Wellington Counties confirms that getting vaccinated will not break fasting during Ramadan.

St. Louis shares a recording of a vaccine information session that took place on April 8 with Dr. Kelly Grindwald, associate professor of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy who spoke with high level ESL and LINC students to answer their questions and debunk some myths surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.
Other Information and Resources

This article from The Economist explains why the Government of Canada's announcement of a special immigration program to grant permanent residence to 90,000 essential workers and international graduates is vital to the economy, what some immigration advocates think and how it would impact the lives of temporary immigrants.

See the results of the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington report on what the workforce, current and future, thinks of the future of work, where they are prioritizing skills development and the trends that they think are most impactful. Secondary and postsecondary students, newcomers, literacy and basic skills learners and persons with disabilities participated in the research survey.

Conestoga College is offering this Free Occupation-specific Language Training in the Health Sciences, Business, Human Services and Technology areas! Newcomers can practice their English geared to their occupation, connect with Local Employers, industries and resources and more.

The Conference Board Job of Canada presents "OpportuNext," a free-to-use online tool, designed to help job placement organizations, job seekers and employers navigate career transition pathways more easily. It provides insights and information to facilitate career transitions and will assist employers who are looking for innovative solutions to their human resources challenges.

This edition's highlights include a summary of the changes to the on-arrival testing requirements that came into effect on April 23, 2021 (the Day 10 test has changed to Day 8); information on an upcoming meeting hosted by the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors, and much more.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation, April 28, 1pm
National Newcomer Navigation Network brings this webinar with health professionals to provide an in-depth discussion about vaccine hesitancy, addressing vaccine misinformation and strategies that can support newcomers and others in accessing facts for a better understanding of the various COVID-19 vaccines available across Canada.
Standing Strong Newcomer Girls Group, April 27- June 1, Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm
Carizon’s Newcomer Mental Health and Well-being Program invites newcomer girls aged 13-17 years join its Standing Strong Group. Sessions are designed to empower participants to seek and create opportunities to get involved in their communities, develop life skills to be well and thrive in their new home and much more.
Practice Your English, April 26-May 31, 2021, 2-4pm
This virtual program is offered by the Kitchener Public library for newcomers who want to improve and practice their English in a small group. This program is run by a trained volunteer and requires registration, an email address and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Hope in Times of Uncertainty: Nine Ways Families, Schools and Communities Nurture a Child’s Resilience, April 28. 6:30pm
In this webinar, brought by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Dr. Michael Ungar, Family Therapist and Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience at Dalhousie University, will share nine practical ideas that parents, caregivers and educators can use to promote wellbeing in children.
Staying Healthy and Well Program, April 28-May 15
The City of Waterloo offers a free weekly virtual series for seniors. Weekly topics are open to residents 55 plus, their caregivers and any adult who is interested. Sessions will be held on Zoom video conferencing and require pre-registration through Eventbrite.
Entrepreneurship & Employment Newcomer Women's Program, Starting on May 3
YW Kitchener Waterloo opens applications for its In Her Shoe Employment & Entrepreneurship Training Program. This program is aimed at visible minority newcomer cis and trans women and non-binary individuals with a focus on building computer and digital literacy skills, employment skills and entrepreneurship and starting your own online business.
Employer Showcase - Piller's Fine Foods April 29, 11-11:30am
Join Human Resource representatives from Piller's Fine Foods to discuss current employment opportunities in Waterloo.
Waterloo Virtual Job Fair - April 29th 2021, April 29, 1-4pm
The London, Kitchener, Waterloo, Windsor, Guelph Virtual Career Fair connects candidates and industries across the province (Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, London, St. Catharines–Niagara, Windsor, Guelph, Brantford, etc.)
Employers are hiring candidates from Canada only.
What Are Entry Jobs Really About? Health Care Administration Edition,
May 4, 4-5pm
Did you know you can gain good-waged employment without earning a degree? The Workforce Planning Board is hosting this online event for youth to dismantle some of the common misconception about working in in health care administration. Participants also will learn what to expect from the workplace, what are some of the essential skills to work in the industry and much more.
Telling Stories Celebrating Diversity in Local Community, April 29, 6:30pm
Do you know the history that lives where you live? Do you know the value of your new neighbours, different from you both culturally and physically? Woolwich Township with Bring on the Sunshine are hosting an interactive discussion to explore new ways of coming together and building on the strengths of the community.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News











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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