Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News |
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Discrimination does exist in our region. A recent study of Statistics Canada reveals that police reported hate crimes in Waterloo Region increased 260 per cent between 2019 and 2020. We must actively work on identifying and opposing racism and continue to support anti-racism work in the Region.
Join us today! The Immigration Partnership and partners encourage you to join a series of events to showcase the breadth of the anti-racism work in Waterloo Region and how you can get involved. Registration here.
Event in partnership with:
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Immigration Partnership is pleased to partner with the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to present the next of its Manulife Business Success Series webinars on March 23 at 1pm. Employers are invited to hear from Jennifer Roggemann, Immigration Lawyer, who will discuss why hiring temporary foreign workers should be a part of their business overall HR strategy, especially at a time when immigration is currently meeting 100% of labour growth in Canada.
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We have created a webpage as a resource to help residents of Waterloo Region support the Ukrainians coming to Canada in meaningful ways. We will update it regularly with new resources and reliable, accurate information as it becomes available. Please visit the webpage here: www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/ukraine.
Canada recently launched new temporary residence pathway to welcome those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRC) has launched the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET), a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians seeking safe haven in Canada while the war in their home country continues. Details here.
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For more details on these events and other immigration, anti-racism and community initiatives, follow us on our social media accounts!
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Community Partner Highlights
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Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
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The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) and YMCA Immigrant Services are remotely serving newcomers across Waterloo Region.
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The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online language assessments. New clients can call to book an appointment. YMCA school settlement workers are available and continue to serve clients remotely.
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In Kitchener-Waterloo and area, KWMC is providing interpretation services remotely (phone or videoconferencing) in over 50 languages. Visit https://kwmulticultural.ca/interpreters or email interpreters@kwmc-on.com if you require an interpreter.
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In Cambridge, the YMCA is providing interpretation services (phone or video conferencing) remotely. Languages include: Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish. If you require an interpreter email interpretations@ckw.ymca.ca.
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Reception House Waterloo Region is remotely serving government-assisted refugees. Refugee arrivals are ongoing in Waterloo Region.
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COMPASS Refugee Centre (formerly MCRS) is remotely serving refugee claimants for claim and settlement supports. Virtual Ready Tours in preparation for hearings are now available through COMPASS. They also provide safe, in-office access to virtual hearings for claimants who need I.T. support and confidential space.
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Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre continues to meet the health needs of refugees. Call ahead.
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Carizon’s Newcomer Mental Health and Well-Being Program: A Promise of Partnership is currently offering both online and in-person supports to refugees living in Waterloo Region. For more information on current groups, trauma counselling, supports for connecting to mental health resources and workshops, call 519 743-6333 or email promise@carizon.ca.
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St. Louis LINC and ESL. Mode of delivery is stated on each program areas’ webpages. It is possible that the mode of delivery for any program may change during the course of the year. Visit website for updates.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Due to COVID-19, all classes are currently being held on Zoom and through emailed practice activities.
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Great News: City of Kitchener Launches On-Demand Interpretation in 200+ Languages to
Address Language Barriers in Accessing City Services and Programs
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To ensure consistent and equitable access to City services for all customers, the City of Kitchener has launched on-demand, multi-language interpretation services to support residents accessing City services and information in their language of choice. The new interpretation service now allows for fast and convenient service in more than 200 languages and is available 24-7 by phone or, in-person during business hours, at City facilities. For more information, read the full press release here.
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at the KW Multicultural Centre
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The Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre is looking for male volunteers to help newcomers improve their communication skills in English. Volunteers will be facilitating conversations one-on-one with an English language learner who may ask questions about the English language, living and working in Canada, meeting with their children's teachers, attending a social or community event, or speaking with colleagues during breaks. Those interested in applying, the requirements can be found here.
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Afghan and Other Refugee Integration Updates |
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Afghan women and girls make their mark in Canada. To help Afghan women newcomers carve out their important place in Canada and draw upon their skills and knowledge, many organizations and institutions are offering valuable career opportunities. Here are a few examples of how Afghan women newcomers are making their mark and helping other women.
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Community members can support Afghan and other refugees arriving in the region in many ways: Providing affordable housing or primary care, making monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region, donating warm winter clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts,etc.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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A recent study published by Manitoba’s Brandon University concludes that the pandemic has not necessarily created new challenges but deepened long standing issues faced by immigrants in rural towns who were already facing financial, personal, and health struggles. The authors advice that Canadian policymakers should focus on a “post-COVID19 reality in which migrant workers and newcomers experience long-term residency security and employment satisfaction in Canada’s rural areas.”
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Other Information and Resources |
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In this article, the Conference Board of Canada’s Chief Economist Pedro Antunes offers his insights on the economic impact of the Russian government’s decision to invade Ukraine on Canada. The economic fallout for Ukraine and Russia is devastating, and the effects will be felt globally in terms of inflation, export, etc.
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The City of Kitchener and the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region (SDCWR) are recruiting community members for a 2-year pilot project called the Housing Lived Expertise Working Group to support the implementation of the Housing For All strategy. 12 Community Connectors are needed representing underserved groups and communities. Applications due April 1, 2022.
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The Immigrant Career Planning Guide, presented by Windmill Microlending, shares how newcomers can reach their full career potential by taking advantage of in-demand areas and employment opportunities across Canada. This digital series also focuses on the opportunities to grow your skills, quickly and cost-effectively, differentiating yourself from the competition with specialized knowledge and building your professional network.
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Virtual Events and Webinars |
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Strategies to Secure Affordable Housing for Sponsored Refugees, March 21, 2-3:30pm EST |
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In this Allies for Refugee Integration (ARI) webinar for settlement workers, sponsors, and sponsored refugees, participants will hear from a panel of sponsored refugees, housing workers, and sponsors on their personal strategies in securing affordable housing followed by a Q&A.
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Public attitudes towards immigration in Canada: A false or true positive? March 22, 10am-3pm EDT |
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Join CERC Migration for a workshop that brings together experts to share research insights and explore key questions such as: What are the main factors that explain the positive change in public attitudes towards immigration in Canada? Are there differences in attitudes towards refugees versus (economic) immigrants? and more. |
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Newcomers and the Transition Child Benefit, March 22, 12-12:45pm |
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In this part 2 of the CLEO Connect learn series will give community workers an overview of the Transition Child Benefit (TCB) as it relates to newcomers. What is the Transition Child Benefit? How long can a client expect to get the benefit and how much will they be paid? These questions and more will be answered during our presentation. Recording of the part 1 can be found here.
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Planning for a Sustainable Policy for the Ukrainian Refugee Emergency: What Happens at the War’s End? March 24, 12-1pm EDT |
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CERC in Migration and Integration is hosting a conversation on what policies will best sustain Ukrainian refugees for the long term. Discussion includes: 1. What are the lessons learned from Canada’s past humanitarian response to Syrian and Afghan refugees? 2. The limits to the grassroots aid in Poland. 3. Security: the one thing EU’s emergency response can’t give, and more. |
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Inspire Your Mind - An Empowering Youth-Focused Event Hosted by Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, March 26, 2pm |
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Join Carizon to hear the empowering story of Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, the first Black woman to be recognized as sole valedictorian in her faculty at the University of Toronto. Dr. Oriuwa is a professional spoken word artist, and advocate for racialized and marginalized populations. Space is limited. The first 25 people registered receive a free event t-shirt and there will be raffle prizes during event. |
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Driving Inclusion of Women in Executive Roles, March 29, 1:30-4:15pm ET |
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Join Report on Business magazine for the third annual Women Lead Here event, a forum for networking and conversation on female executive leadership presented by The Globe and Mail Events. The event will feature Women Lead Here honouree companies, business leaders and inclusion experts sharing practical ideas and calls to action to increase gender parity in corporate Canada. |
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Building Digital Resilience in the Nonprofit Sector, March 30, 1-2pm ET |
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The Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) is set to publicly launch on March 29, 2022. Join Victor Beausoleil, SETSI, Amy Sample Ward, NTEN, Chantal Edwards, Imagine Canada Narinder Dhami, Sonor Foundation and Liz Weaver, Tamarack Institute in a conversation about the critical importance of launching CCNDR and how the Centre will a springboard to digital transformation for nonprofit organizations.
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National Event on Refugee Housing & Partnerships, March 30, 12:30-2:30pm EST
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The Afghan Refugee Resettlement National Steering Committee cordially is hosting an event on housing and refugee resettlement to celebrate the valuable contributions housing providers and other organizations make towards the lives of Afghan newcomers. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), on behalf of the Government of Canada, will be providing opening remarks. |
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Inspiring Conversations - International Migration in a Changing Climate: A Role for Canada, April 7, 11:30am
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Human migration is a polarizing topic, one that becomes more pressing every day as conflict and climate change displace millions of people around the world. In this Inspiring Conversation, Laurier Professors Dr. Robert McLeman and Dr. Edward Shizha will explain how Canadians are impacted by, and can play a role in, international migration.
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Is the Two-Step Migration System Serving Canada and Newcomers as it is Intended? April 12, 12-1pm EDT |
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CERC Migration is organizing a webinar to discuss the impact of Canada’s two-step immigration system on the transition experiences and challenges facing different groups of temporary migrants, and what proactive approaches could address these challenges. |
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EmployerOne Webinar, April 14, 11am |
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The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is hosting the EmployerOne Webinar showcasing the trends and changes we saw in the local labour market last year. At the webinar, they will present the findings and methodology of the EmployerOne survey. Attendees will be provided with opportunities to ask questions. The event is open to everyone. |
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COVID 19 Coverage and other News |
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