Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News | |
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Immigration Continues to Drive Population Growth in Waterloo Region. Recent data from the 2021 census by Statistics Canada reveals that immigrants made up a quarter of Waterloo Region’s population and accounted for more than half of the region’s total population growth.
Nationwide, the report shows that in 2021 more than 8.3 million people, or almost one-quarter (23.0%) of the population, were, or had ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada. This is the largest immigrant share of Canada’s population since Canada was founded as a country in 1867.
Our region and Canada continue to rely heavily on immigration to offset low population growth, labour market gaps and economic challenges.
Immigrant Population Highlights in Waterloo Region from the 2021 Census:
- 25.4% of the population of Waterloo Region were immigrants. This is up from 22.6% in 2016 and 22.3% in 2011 and 2006. Statistics Canada notes that if trends continue, the proportion of immigrants in the overall population could increase nationally from 23.0% to 29.1% or 34.0% by 2041.
- This translates to 147,190 immigrants in 2021, up significantly from 119,335 immigrants in 2016.
- 27,840 immigrants arrived in the 5 years before the 2021 census (recent immigrants). This is a significant jump (almost double) from the previous census when there were 14,045 recent immigrants.
For more interesting data, see this summary developed by the Immigration Partnership.
Immigrant Population Highlights in Canada from the 2021 Census:
- Almost one in four people (23.0%) counted during the 2021 Census are immigrants.
- Just over 1.3 million new immigrants settled permanently in Canada from 2016 to 2021, the highest number of recent immigrants recorded in a Canadian census.
- Over half of recent immigrants living in Canada were admitted under the economic category.
- The vast majority (92.7%) of recent immigrants are able to conduct a conversation in either English or French.
Read the full report here.
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Immigration Matters to Waterloo Region
Last week, after Statistics Canada released data on Canada's immigrant population, our executive director Tara Bedard explains what is driving immigration and future growth in Waterloo Region at the October 27 Morning Edition K-W with Craig Norris. Listen to the recording of this CBC Listen show 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! | |
Community Partner Highlights
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Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
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The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) is offering in-person services at its new location: 715 Fischer Hallman Rd, Suite 401, Kitchener.
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YMCA Immigrant Services is providing in-person and remote settlement services.
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The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online and in-person language assessments.
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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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Reception House Waterloo Region is serving government-assisted refugees in person and remotely. Refugee arrivals are ongoing in Waterloo Region.
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COMPASS Refugee Centre (formerly MCRS) is serving refugee claimants virtually and in person 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 [email protected].
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St. Louis LINC and ESL classes offered morning and afternoon, both online and in-person this year. Evening and Saturday classes are not offered at this time. Please contact the YMCA first to get an English Language Assessments. Please email at [email protected] to make an appointment.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Classes are currently held both on campus and online. When you register for class, a LINC technician will meet with you to help you get started.
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Rent 2 Refugees Information Sessions | |
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Hundreds of refugees in the Waterloo Region are waiting for homes! Local landlords, property managers and individuals with in-house flats, apartments, and homes for rent are invited to a Rent 2 Refugees Information Session. Choose from Tuesday, Nov 15, 7-7:30 pm or Thursday, Nov 17, 12-12:30 pm on Zoom. In this 30-minute session hosted by Reception House Waterloo Region, hear from landlords who rent to refugees, a newcomer tenant, and refugees who need housing. Also, learn how Reception House supports landlords and tenants to have positive working relationships. You can make a difference by welcoming refugees.
REGISTER on Zoom to attend or receive a recording of a Rent 2 Refugees Info Session.
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"Free Wifi and Access to Technology in Waterloo Region"
Resource Videos Available in Over 5 Languages
The “Free Wifi and Access to Technology in Waterloo Region” videos introduce newcomers to where they can access free wifi in Waterloo Region, as well as how and where they can access free public computers and printers. The videos are available in English, Arabic, Somali, Farsi, Tigrinya and Rohingya in voice over and in over 30 languages, including Spanish and Ukrainian by enabling closed captioning via this English version.
The videos were created as part of Digital Engagement project at Reception House, in collaboration with Kitchener Public Library Commons Studio and Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre.
Please share this valuable resource with your networks or new neighbours who may need it.
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Refugee Integration Updates | |
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Supporting Afghan and Other Refugee Resettlement in Waterloo Region
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 clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts,etc. Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region!
Kitchener organization quietly helps Afghan refugees. Rahimi’s Kitchener-based non-profit, iHelp International, sponsored the Wasokht family, who had been living in a refugee camp in Wahdat, Tajikistan, for three years.
Private sponsorship means iHelp International and its supporters will look after the refugee family for at least a year as they settle into their new life in Canada. At least for the time being, Ahmad Zaki Wasokht, his wife and six children are living with relatives in Brampton.
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In Solidarity with Ukraine
Visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/ukraine to learn how residents of Waterloo Region can support the Ukrainians coming to Canada. In addition, visitors will find helpful information and tools shared by the federal government specifically for Ukrainian individuals and families such as service access instructions, welcome to Canada checklist, SIN for Newcomers, etc.
Canada announces new measures to support Ukraine. As winter approaches, Canada will continue to be there to support the people of Ukraine (...) Canada is allocating $55 million in previously announced funding to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian partners to support winterization initiatives. This includes providing shelter and distributing essential items such as blankets, clothing, heating appliances, and fuel.
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Information and Resources | |
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Statistics Canada invites Canadians to participate in this engagement initiative to identify the appropriate terminology and categories to describe the visible minority and properly address data needs in health, education, justice, and employment equity. Individuals who wish to obtain more information, please email at [email protected].
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Canada Must Urgently Address Affordability, Housing Woes so Immigrants Can Thrive
In this article presented by the Business Council of Canada, Victor Dodig, CIBC President and CEO, states that "Canada’s brand as a welcoming nation of opportunity for immigrants is at risk, which in turn puts our shared economic prosperity in doubt." To counter this, Canada must ensure that housing is affordable, newcomers can participate meaningfully in the labour market and have an opportunity to earn a living wage, and we need to think bigger about immigration. Read the full article here.
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Canadians Are More Supportive of Immigration than ever, According to a National Survey
The Environics Institute of Canada has released survey data on Canadian’s opinions on immigration conducted between Sept 6 and 30, 2022. It reveals that "despite the many disruptions and challenges facing Canadians today, the public as a whole has never been more supportive of their country's welcoming path when it comes to immigration and refugees (...) Across the country, acceptance of current immigration levels is voiced by at least seven in ten Canadians."
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The Canadian Census: A Rich Portrait of the Country's Religious and Ethnocultural Diversity
More than 450 ethnic or cultural origins were reported in the 2021 Census. The top origins reported by Canada's population, alone or with other origins, were Canadian, English, Irish, Scottish, and French. Racialized groups in Canada are all experiencing growth. In 2021, South Asian, Chinese and Black people together represented 16.1% of Canada's total population. The report also reveals that in 2021, over 19.3 million people reported a Christian religion, representing just over half of the Canadian population (53.3%). However, this proportion is down from 67.3% in 2011 and 77.1% in 2001.
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After School: Keeping International Students In-Province
This research by The Conference Board of Canada examines whether international students remain in their province of study after their first study permit and how provincial governments can increase retention in the province of study. Some highlights: - The number of new international students nearly tripled from 2010 to 2019. - Former international students who are employed in Canada three years after their study permit expires tend to work in the province where they studied.
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The Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Online Course is Upgraded and Expanded
The Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health (IRMH) Course, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is a free, self-directed training that offers evidence-based information for service providers to provide better care and support to immigrants and refugees arriving to Canada. The course includes new research, content and learning activities tailored to healthcare and settlement service providers, including a new module on health equity, intersectionality, anti-racism and anti-oppression, allyship and solidarity.
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Research in Action: The Effects of Precarious Immigration Status on Health, Nov 1, 2:30pm | |
The Community Knowledge Program presents: Research in Action: The Effects of Precarious Immigration Status on Health. Hosted by Emily Mooney from the Wellesley Institute. | |
2021 Census Webinar Series: Immigration, Ethnocultural and Religious Diversity, and Migration. English Webinar, Nov 2, 1-2:30 pm ET. French Webinar, Nov 2, 11am-12:30pm ET | |
This census webinar hosted by Statistics Canada will provide attendees with key information including Concepts and definitions, High-level national, provincial, and territorial findings; and Instructions on how to access data products and resources online Following the presentation, Statistics Canada officials will be available to answer questions. | |
MCC webinar on Welcoming the Stranger, Nov 3, 7-8pm | |
The Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) program has resumed! Join MCC Ontario’s Migration and Resettlement team on Nov 3 as they share about this exciting opportunity to partner with them in welcoming the stranger. The BVOR program allows friends, family, churches and community groups the opportunity to resettle refugees into their communities with financial assistance from the government. | |
La Semaine nationale de l'immigration francophone, Du 6 au 12 novembre 2022 | |
Du 6 au 12 novembre 2022, célébrons la Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone et contribuons à mettre en valeur nos communautés francophones plurielles et inclusives. Cette 10e édition consacrée à « Nos traditions et notre avenir » proposera une multitude d’activités rassembleuses pour apprécier les différentes traditions francophones et réfléchir à un meilleur avenir pour chacune et chacun. Impliquez-vous à la célébration de la Semaine pour souligner les traditions et réfléchir ensemble sur l'avenir et le comment mieux vivre demain! | |
WRCF Do More Good Dialogues - Conversations in Communities, Nov 8-18 | |
Waterloo Region Community Foundation wants to hear from people across our region. They have scheduled community drop-in conversations during November called “WRCF Do More Good Dialogues - Conversations in Communities”. President & CEO, Eric Avner, along with members of its Board and Team will be on-site at libraries around Waterloo Region to chat and answer any questions attendees have about their community foundation, and to get their input on issues of importance in their neighbourhood, city and/or township. | |
Addressing Inequities within Environmental Sustainability, Nov 22, 11- 1pm | |
Join Sustainable Waterloo Region and speaker Colleen James, founder of Divonify, for a talk on Addressing Inequities within Environmental Sustainability. Colleen will lead a discussion in creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce and community. She will outline what this looks like when we factor in sustainability and the work to create a more environmentally sustainable region. | |
Towards Equity and Anti-Racism in Canada's Immigration System, Nov 24-26 | |
This Canadian Council for Refugees Consultation will address key challenges in our refugee and immigration system. Participants will learn, brainstorm, hear from and give input to government officials and share resources and strategies to respond to these issues in a series of workshops, caucuses, and meetings. | |
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Kitchener’s new councillors ready to serve The Record, Oct 28, 2022
Economic factors could explain rise in anglophone immigration: Quebec researcher CTV News, Oct 28, 2022
Now open at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum: Dibaajimowin, Stories from this Land Around the Region, Oct 27, 2022
Regional voters cast ballots for change and more diversity of leadership CityNews Everywhere, Oct 27, 2022
ARE YOU OK?: Survey to help newly-elected officials answer critical needs in Waterloo Region Waterloo Chronicle, Oct 27, 2022
Colleen James is looking for change at Waterloo Region council Waterloo Chronicle, Oct 26, 2022
‘We’re going to be there’: KW Counselling Services reopens walk-in clinic to address growing mental health needs Waterloo Chronicle, Oct 24, 2022
Cambridge city hall Islamic heritage display aims to educate, spread love CBC News, Oct 23, 2022
Ghanaian entrepreneur connects with his West African customers through food: Andrew Coppolino CBC News, Oct 22, 2022
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Feel free to send suggestions or relevant events/resources to include to the Immigration Waterlooo Region weekly by emailing Dan Vandebelt ([email protected]) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez ([email protected])
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