Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
June 14, 2021
We Stand With #OurLondonFamily
On June 6, four members of a Muslim family who immigrated to Canada from Pakistan were killed in a hate motivated attack because of their faith in London, Ontario. On behalf of the Immigration Partnership, we acknowledge with deep sorrow the deaths of Salman Afzaal, 46, Mediha Salman, 44, 15-year-old Yumna and Talat Afzaal, 74, and the serious injuries sustained by 9-year-old Fayez who was hospitalised and robbed of his parents, sister and grandmother. We offer sincere condolences to Fayez, the Afzaal family’s loved ones, and the Muslim community of London, Waterloo Region and beyond.
 
We are encouraged by the outpouring of public support for the Afzaal family and the Muslim community. But this fatal incident has highlighted once again that Islamophobia is very present in our communities; that members of our Muslim community do not feel, and indeed are not, safe in our communities.
 
The Immigration Partnership stands in total solidarity with Afzaal family and the Muslim community. We reaffirm the Immigration Partnership’s commitment to building a community where everyone belongs and can live in safety. We confirm our commitment to fighting racism and hatred in all forms, including Islamophobia, together with our community. We will continue to support the amazing work of groups like the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, the Muslim Women of Cambridge, Muslim faith leaders, our colleagues at the London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership and others.
 
Immigration Partnership Updates
IMMIGRANT SURVEY, SUCCESS AND TARGETS:
903 Immigrants Have Told Us What Matters to Them - Only 597 voices to go!
A HUGE THANK YOU to the 903 immigrants who already told us how to build a better community!

We have one week to go and at least more 597 people to reach to tell us how to build a better community!

We have 636 survey responses in English and 267 in other languages so far: 53% responses came from Kitchener, 27% from Waterloo and 13% from Cambridge. We had notable participation from the Chinese, Serbian, African and Latino communities last weekend.

We want to encourage greater participation among men, residents of Cambridge and our rural communities, youth, seniors, international students, temporary workers, Christians, Sikhs, economic immigrants and Somali, French, and Amharic first language speakers.

CALL TO ACTION - We need your help to reach these groups! If you are immigrant, please complete the survey now and ask two others to do the same. If you were born in Canada, become 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.


More information on how to become a #ImmigrantSurvey ambassador and complete the survey here:
Our 2020-2021 Interactive Annual Report is Live!
We are delighted to present our 2020-2021 Interactive Annual Report, the first of its kind for us!

This report provides a snapshot of how, through the Immigration Partnership, we have made progress collectively in building community through immigration by implementing the joint goals and strategies outlined in the 2020-2025 Community Action Plan.

This report enables readers to interact with its content to display information, images and videos of our partners sharing their reflections on the challenges, opportunities and lessons of 2020, a year like no other, in creating the conditions for immigrants succeed. See the report here.

"Through this report you will meet our partners and learn some of the ways we are building community through immigration together. If you are one of our amazing partners, this report is a love song for all what you do. If you are a newcomer in Waterloo Region, this work is dedicated to you"

Tara Bedard, Immigration Partnership Executive Director
This Wednesday: A Webinar for Employers Looking for for Diverse Sources of Talent
Area employers seeking to hire can still join the new webinar of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series, in partnership with the Immigration Partnership, this Wednesday, June 16, to learn about the Connector and Mentorship Programs with staff from the KW Multicultural Centre and YMCA of Three Rivers. These programs offer insight into amazing talent here in Waterloo Region and also provide a way to contribute by volunteering to be a Connector or a Mentor.  To register, click here.
June 22. Employer Webinar - Bilingualism: Adding Value in the Workplace
Local 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 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.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
The Truth is Hard. Reconciliation is Harder. Indigenous History Month Keynote Speaker
In this community event hosted by the University of Waterloo on June 29 at 1pm, The Honourable Murray Sinclair reminds us that reconciliation is not an act of forgiving past wrongs. It is a process of dismantling the ongoing colonial relationship that treats Indigenous people as less than human. It is not a matter of benevolence or charity. It is a matter of respect and rights. 
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.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
Quick Facts: As of June 9, 2021, at 8:00 p.m., over 10.6 million vaccine doses have been administered across the province, with 95 per cent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over and nearly 92 per cent of residents aged 70 to 79 having received at least one dose. More than 73 per cent of the population aged 18 and over and more than 39 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received at least one dose. More than 1,399,700 Ontarians are fully immunized, including 99 per cent of long-term care residents.

Migrant Workers Alliance for Change is offering support for Ontario's undocumented and migrant workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They are offering vaccine information in 16 languages as well as a hotline on WhatsApp to get one-to-one support through the process.

Learn about the Roadmap to Reopen, the province’s three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures based on ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates & improvements of key public health & health care indicators.

Find a service provider who can give you support in your language to get a COVID-19 and vaccine information, to book a vaccine appointment or to find support services. Available in more than 300 languages. Phone lines are available between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week.

The number of vacancies in this sector reached an all-time high of 100,300 positions at the end of 2020, a shortage that was exacerbated by the pandemic. Attracting more immigrants to fill job vacancies has been an alternative to address this issue. This Statistic Canada report paints a picture of immigrants working in these occupations and examines their workforce integration.

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.
Indigenous History Month Resources and Events

Government Bill C-8 would amend the Citizenship Act to include a solemn promise to respect the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as part of the Oath of Citizenship. The amendment would respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commision of Canada's call to action number 94. It will ensure new Canadians understand their important role in our past and present.

Visit the Wellbeing Waterloo Region webpages on Indigenous Engagement and Journey to Reconciliation Resources about the rich history of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the work towards reconciliation happening in our own communities.

Celebrate National Indigenous History Month by joining Social Development Centre Waterloo Region and Waterloo Region Community Legal Services for an information session on June 16 about the current Housing Crisis which will focus on Indigenous people's challenges in the area and how they may be impacted!

First Peoples Groups has launched the Community Voices Forum, an engagement activity designed to gather stories, input, opinions and recommendations from residents of Wilmot Township, as well as residents of the Region of Waterloo and members of neighbouring First Nations. Click here to learn how to participate.
Other Information and Resources

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.

Community organizations are speaking out after four members of a Muslim family were killed and a nine-year-old child was left with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle in London on June 6 in what police are calling a hate-motivated attack.
Call for Experienced WeChat Users: Paid Opportunity

Are you a WeChat user living in Waterloo? The City of Waterloo neighbourhoods team is exploring ways to improve how we communicate with neighbours across Waterloo. As a starting point we are collecting information about tools/platforms that are heavily used. Residents across the city that are experienced WeChat users are encouraged to consider this paid focus group opportunity. To express interest in participating, please complete this online form by June 20th

In partnership with the CLAC Foundation, Lutherwood is offering access to training for individuals looking for work in the skilled trades. Available supports include Pre-Apprenticeship Training Tuition Funding and Work Access and Safety Training. Find out if you are eligible: Cambridge 519-623-9380 Guelph 519-822-4141. Kitchener 519-743-2460.

The Ontario government is investing $5 million in the 2021-22 Seniors Community Grant program to help enable municipalities and local organizations to deliver programs for older adults to stay active in their communities. The Seniors Community Grant program focuses on projects that align with four pillars which help improve the lives of older adults in the province.
Applications for the Francophone Community Grants Program are Open Until July 15

The Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP) aims at provide opportunities for organizations serving Ontario’s French-speaking community to implement cultural and community-based projects that would support the engagement of Francophones in their milieu. Please consult the Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP) 2021-22 Guidelines and Reference Documents.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
Workplace Sexual Harassment Info Workshop in Farsi, June 15, 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.
(Re) Think Our Stories: The Reality of Structural Violence, June 15, 6:30-8:30pm
The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council invites community members to join for an challenging conversation on how our societal systems, institutions, and organizations can enforce harmful stereotypes, biases, rhetoric which dehumanizes racialized and marginalized communities. Guests will also share their stories of how they are impacted by structural violence.
Virtual Tour of CMW's New Services and Programs. June 17, 11am
Join Coalition of Muslim Women KW for a virtual presentation about its new services and programs. They will also discuss the challenges and opportunities that came its way over the past year.
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.
Resilience and Refuge, June 23, 12:15-1:30pm
Join this webinar featuring experts from the Université du Québec, Concordia University, McGill University and Ryerson University who will talk about their research on resilience and refuge. This event is part of the "Migrant Resilience in canadian Cities: People, Institutions and Policies" webinar series hosted by the Building Migrant Resilience in Cities Network. For more information, email bmrcirmu@yorku.ca.
Immigrant and Refugee Services for SOGIE Diverse Newcomers (LGBTQ2S+ Services), June 23, 1pm
This National Newcomer Navigation Network webinar will talk about refugee services for sexually and gender diverse newcomers, LGBTQI+ services and development of the National LGBTQ+ Guidelines Project and how to address COVID-19 pandemic issues and service provision.
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.
Social Assistance + Immigration Webinar, June 23, 10:30am-12pm
This Cleo Connect webinar features lawyers in the legal clinic system who will share important information and practical tips about the interaction between immigration status and receiving social assistance.
Supporting Job Seekers in the Work From Home Reality, June 24, 11am-12pm
In this second session in the Work from Home Series hosted by the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, Melissa Small - Employment Advisor at Lutherwood, will discuss how she helps her employment candidates as they navigate the work from home workforce.
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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