Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
September 07, 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
"This is Home" Stories
"Home is a place where I am free... where I don't have fear to go outside, fear to do my job. That's home for me. My home is Canada right now and I love it..." says Maria*

Watch Maria's story here as part of the "This is Home" video series developed by the Immigration Partnership along with Compass Refugee Centre and Reception House Waterloo Region to celebrate the 2021 Newcomer Landlord Award.

*Maria is a former refugee claimant who worked as a journalist and had to leave her home country due to security reasons. She found a place to call home in Waterloo Region thanks to the generosity of a landlord. Due to ongoing safety concerns, her name has been changed.

Nominate landlords that go above and beyond to provide innovative, flexible, caring and affordable housing solutions for recent immigrants and refugees in Waterloo Region!
Click the image below for more information
What Are Local Candidates for the Upcoming Federal Elections Saying About Immigration?
Recognizing that Immigration plays an important role in the community and economic development, the Immigration Partnership asked all election candidates in Waterloo Region a question about immigration: What is your party’s position on immigration and if elected, how will you support immigrants to succeed? See their responses so far here.

This information will be updated as any new responses are received to help inform voting in ridings across Waterloo Region.
Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region: How We Can Help
A small number of refugees from Afghanistan have started to arrived in Waterloo Region, along with refugees from other countries. We still don't know how many refugees from Afghanistan to expect in our region or when, we have created a webpage (www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement) as a resource to help residents support the resettlement of Afghan and other refugees in meaningful ways, locally and beyond. We will update this page regularly with new resources and information as it becomes available.

We are currently seeking information about possible housing and medical assistance for those that will arrive in Waterloo Region. If you are a landlord, property manager or physician able to provide housing or medical care, please complete this survey.
Employer Webinar: What to Consider When Re-opening Your Office, Sept 8
The Manulife Business Success Series is Back! Join the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce tomorrow, Sept 8, to hear from industry leaders on what you and your business should be considering when re-opening your office. Walk away with tools, resources and information to consider as you develop your own office re-opening plans. Registration is open.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Highlights 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Federal Election - Local Candidate Forums by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo
Chamber of Commerce
Everyone, including newcomers and immigrants, is encouraged to participate in the virtual local candidate forums organized by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce on Sept 8 and Sept 9. The candidate forums will be moderated by James Sebastian-Scott from 570 News. Registration is open.

For more information on other local candidate meetings, read this CBC News article with all the details: dates and links to register.
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Immigration
Measures
To learn more about other measures or changes on Immigration legislation,
visit the
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.

Requiring people to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof to enter certain businesses and settings is a provincial decision welcomed by Waterloo Region officials.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the
Newcomers, Welcome to School in Waterloo Region!
On behalf of the Immigration Partnership, we’re wishing a happy back to school to all newcomers and international students in Waterloo Region, whether learning in-class or remotely. 

As Covid-19 will be a big part of the school day, parents, children, teachers and staff are encouraged to continue to remain vigilant and follow the public health guidelines. To support safe in-person learning, we have put together in this section some Covid-19 guidance tools to help newcomer parents, their children and students safety navigate the pandemic during this school year.

Everyone will need to screen themselves daily for COVID-19 symptoms before going to school according to the public health protocols. Check the covid-19 school and child screening tool in English and French by the Ministry of Health of Ontario.
Safe Return to Schools Re-Opening

Check the Waterloo Region school board websites for details on schools re-opening. Use the translate feature where available on their website to access information in many languages: Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir and Conseil scolaire Viamonde .

The Region of Waterloo has put together a Back to School Frequently Asked Questions to guide parents on how to better protect their children, such as how the classroom will be set-up, what kind of face covering or mask should be used, what happens if someone at school gets Covid-19 and much more.
Returning to Campus Safely

Learn about Waterloo region colleges and universities plans for a safe return to campus:

Find out how the public health authorities are ensuring the health, safety and well-being of students and staff to support a safe return to in-person learning: Health and safety measures, ventilation improvements, vaccine for students and staff and more.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

Beginning September 22, 2021, Ontario will require proof of vaccination focused on indoor public settings. All Ontarians who registered their vaccines are encouraged to download their vaccine receipt as proof of their vaccine status until an enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code is available. Check out the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Other Information and Resources

COMPASS Refugee Centre is facilitating virtual tours for Refugee Claimants to prepare for and become familiar with the hearing process starting in the Fall. Visit https://refugeeclaim.ca/en/ready-tours/ to register. If you have any questions about registration, please contact Diana Odar at compass@compassrefugee.ca.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds most parents of school-aged children – regardless of their kids’ ages – are comfortable returning their kids to in-person learning. Three-quarters of parents with a child aged 12 to 17, and two-thirds of parents with a child aged five to 11, say they are comfortable putting their kids back in classrooms.
Virtual Events and Webinars
IN HER SHOES: Uplift - YWCA Reskilling in Specialized Technology, Starting in Fall
In Her Shoes: Uplift - YWCA Reskilling in Specialized Technology is a fully-funded post-secondary certification program for employment-ready women (cis and trans) and gender-diverse individuals who are ready to upgrade their technology skills to secure immediate employment in roles which require specialized technological expertise.
Reaching Newcomers Online, Four Workshops, Several Dates
Refugee 613 is hosting a series of four practical sessions designed to take you through the steps of establishing digital messaging as a means for connecting the newcomers in your community with the information and services they need.
Youth Job Connection Virtual Workshops, Registration Open
Immigrant job seekers can learn valuable job search strategies and perfect resumes and cover letters through the Lutherwood's Youth Job Connection Program. This program is free with sessions starting in September.
Youth Book Club: Caucasia by Danzy Senna, Sept 19, 2:30-4pm
Coalition of Muslim Women WR along with the City of Waterloo will present "Caucasia," a novel that explores the complications of race through the story of two daughters-one light skinned and the other dark-skinned of a black father.
Investing in Women's Futures Ecommerce Program, Sept 20-Nov 26, 10am-1pm
This program hosted by YMCA of Three Rivers Waterloo Region will provide women with an end-to-end training and practical skills to create their own on-line enterprise. Topics include financial literacy, product development, positioning an on-line business - platforms, integrated digital marketing and more.
Online Citizenship Support Group - Tuesday Sessions, Sept 21-Nov 2, 7-8pm
YMCA invites newcomers to the Online Citizenship Support Group on Tuesdays , from Sept 21 to Nov 2, to learn the materials required to become a Canadian citizen, citizenship related themes and concepts and more.
Online Citizenship Support Group - Thursday Sessions, Sept 23-Nov 4, 7-8pm
YMCA invites newcomers to the Online Citizenship Support Group on Thursdays, from Sept 23 to Nov 4, to learn the materials required to become a Canadian citizen, citizenship related themes and concepts and more.
Online Course: Bridging the Intercultural Gap, Sept 29- Oct 27
This course hosted by the Centre for Race and Culture will equip the participants with practical tools to reflect on their interactions, apply strategies to challenge cultural bias and discrimination, use intercultural practices to guide their work, and create a more inclusive environment where people from different cultural backgrounds feel valued and respected.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News




More than 3,000 Evacuees Arrive in Canada from Afghanistan Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Sept 4, 2021


Your Voice Against Racism: Sanjay Gonvindaraj Waterloo Chronicle, Sept 2, 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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