Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
December 7, 2020

Stay healthy, Waterloo Region. We are in this together.

Immigration Partnership Updates
This week, the Global Migration Film Festival continues with three powerful stories of immigrants seeking to build a new life in Canada. Viewers will witness their challenges, fears, dreams and achievements. The film screenings will be followed by a discussion and Q & A session to dig into the refugee and newcomer experience. The following are the films that will be screened on December 9 and 10:
Air Show
Dec 9, 2pm
Brothers in the Buddha
Dec 10, 7pm
Arrival Archives 
Dec 9, 2:15pm
Stay tuned to our social media channels as there will be some exciting announcements on the festival: Twitter/Fb
Our Partners in bringing the 2020 Global Migration Film Festival to Waterloo Region:
"Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace" Webinar, Dec 9, 1pm
Join the next webinar of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series for a panel discussion on Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace with  Divonify, Manulife, Reception House and TD Canada representatives. Details and registration here.
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Call For Committee Members: SRO Program and WRDSB/WRPS Relationship
The Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is looking for current WRDSB students, parents/caregivers and teachers to apply to join the Committee on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program and the Relationship between the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS).
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Immigration
Measures
To learn more about other measures or changes on Immigration legislation,
visit the


The new system was implemented as part of a coronavirus measure. It will begin January 1, 2021. More information here.
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.
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.

  • As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for eligible businesses will increase from $40,000 to $60,000.
  • Applicants who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the $20,000 expansion, which provides eligible businesses with an additional $20,000 in financing.
  • All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion. More information can be found here.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the
COVID-19 Information and Resources
What Are the Red Zone Restrictions?
As Waterloo Region remains in the red (control) zone, we encourage residents to follow the public health guidelines and Control (Red) restrictions to stop further contagion and avoid entering the gray zone, which would mean a new lockdown. Check here the red zone restrictions.
Find Covid-19 multilingual resources, the latest changes in immigration legislation, government support for families, individuals and businesses, and relevant measures to prevent contagions in our region at Immigration Partnership Covid-19 webpage!
The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo, Wellington, and Dufferin has released the findings of their research into the impact the pandemic is having on youth education and employment. Read it here.
Why have immigrant women been hit so hard by the coronavirus-induced recession? Their drop in labor force participation may be due, in part, to their often-dual roles as workers and parents. Full report from the Immigration Policy Institute here.
In its Fall Economic Statement, The Government of Canada states that immigration is an important factor in helping the Canadian economy recover, drive future growth and create jobs for middle class Canadians.
Other Information and Resources
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently launched a Global Policy Network to promote ethical recruitment and the protection of migrant workers. It will address shortcomings in regulation and enforcement that can exacerbate vulnerabilities and lead to gaps in the protection of migrant workers.
The City of Waterloo launched its Winter Program and Activities Guide! Register for child, youth and adult online courses, learn about its Staying Healthy and Well series, and more. Registration begins December 9.
Virtual Events and Webinars
The Changes in Customer Behaviour and the Transformation of Online Retail, Dec 7, 2-3:30 pm
The future of online retail is transforming the way businesses and customers interact on a daily basis. Hear from industry experts of Mastercard Canada, Google Canada and eCommerce Canada  on what this transformation means, how you can leverage it, and what it holds for the future in this Digital main Street Webinar.
Porch Chats Exploring the Impact of Migration on Families (Turkish), Dec 8,
7-9pm
This porch chat which will be in Turkish focuses on how family relationships, mental health, and stress levels change for newcomers and how that is connected to covid 19 situation. It will present signs of abusive relationships and discuss what we can do as part of the Keep Families Safe campaign.
COVID-19 in Immigrants and Refugees in Ontario: Data Analytics to Support the Public Health Response, Dec 8, 4-4:30pm
Join this CanCOVID Speaker Series session on a recent report on the implications of COVID-19 for immigrants and refugees and ongoing efforts at ICES to facilitate the use of this data to inform local responses.
Meeting ID: 868 6240 0767. Passcode: 706573
Addressing Power Dynamics for Inclusive Leadership, Dec 8, 1-2 pm
This Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) webinar looks at the role that power and privilege play in either supporting or blocking diversity and inclusion efforts and provides tips to address power dynamics for inclusive leadership.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Question and Answer Sessions, Dec 9-11, 1-2pm
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is hosting virtual Question and Answer Sessions in English and French for organizations about the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides direct commercial rent or property expense support to tenants and property owners of qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
Healthy Women Together, Dec 9 and 16 12:30-1:30pm
This online YMCA Immigrant Services program is designed for newcomer women to share experiences, learn new skills, develop healthy habits for both physical and mental health and to connect with the community.
Twelfth Annual Mayor’s Forum on Age-Friendly Waterloo, Dec 9, 1-2pm
Join City of Waterloo to celebrate the contributions made by seniors throughout the year, and to hear more about “Supporting a sense of belonging, with Age-Friendly Waterloo”. This online version of the mayor’s forum will be hosted on Zoom. Please register by emailing 
Shelley.Sprague@waterloo.ca or by calling 519-888-6356.
Finding Hope Through Darkness Virtual Workshop Series: Inner-Pace, Dec 9, 11am
Carizon Family and Community Services introduces its Finding Hope Through Darkness Virtual Workshop series! The next workshop is related to inner-pace, which includes practical techniques to slow down, find an inner sense of calm, and cope when things feel overwhelming. More information on other workshops here.
Enhancing Cooperation with Private Refugee Sponsors, Dec 10, 1-3pm
Join the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program, Catholic Crosscultural Services and Allies in Refugee Integration project for a workshop specifically created for the settlement sector. This participatory online workshop will explore the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, the roles of sponsors and settlement workers in supporting privately sponsored refugees, and more.
United Voices: Social Isolation in Waterloo Region, Dec 10, 1-2pm
Join United Way Waterloo Region Communities on December 10 for the first in a series of events aimed at bringing together local experts to talk about pressing issues in the region such as social isolation.
Local Labour Market Plan (LLMP) Sessions, Dec 10-21
The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is holding  8 action planning sessions for the LLMP update for 2021-22. Participants will talk about what is happening in our communities and what people are identifying as major trends and issues.
Americans and Canadians Working Together On Migration In The Biden-Harris Era, Dec 15, 12 pm
The Refugee Council USA, The Association for Canadian Studies and Metropolis North America are hosting this free webinar that will explore how Americans and Canadians can work together on migration issues to prepare for challenges to come in the Biden-Harris era. It will feature two panels on Shifting Policies and Migration and the Role of Civil Society.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News









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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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