Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
November 1, 2021
Immigration Partnership News
2021 Newcomer Landlord Award Coming November 22
The Immigration Partnership's 2021 Newcomer Landlord Award recipients will be announced at Waterloo Region’s 20th National Housing Day virtual celebration on November 22. This event will celebrate local housing achievements and recognize the contributions of community members and partners who are committed to ensuring everyone in Waterloo Region has a place to call home. We invite you to join us in celebrating landlords that make our region a more welcoming and supportive community. Register Here.
The Immigration Partnership is proud to share this Waterloo Chronicle piece on the important work in the community of Dr Ernest Osei, director of the Medical Physics Department at the Grand River Hospital and a member of our Leadership Council! Dr Osei is a talented leader who devotes his time in and out of work to care and building community in Waterloo Region. 

As part of the "Immigrants of Waterloo Region" campaign, here is his story about being a newcomer in our region.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Highlights 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Volunteer Opportunity: Help Newcomer Refugees Improve Their Digital Literacy
In the Spring of 2021, Reception House Waterloo Region launched its Digital Engagement Project to bridge the digital divide among newly arrived refugees in our region. Digital literacy is increasingly essential for refugees settling and others in our community, as health, education and community services have transitioned to virtual in response to Covid-19. This initiative will ensure refugee families have technology access and support to build their digital literacy from the point of arrival. 

Volunteers needed. Reception House is recruiting Somali and Tigrinya speaking volunteers to serve  as Tech Buddies. This is a virtual assignment with flexible hours. Please contact [email protected] for more information. Wait for videos in Rohingya, Somali, Tigrinya and Arabic on the basic digital literacy topics that Reception House clients have struggled with most.
A Civic Engagement Opportunity: City of Kitchener’s Equity and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee Seeks Participation From Citizen Volunteers
The City of Kitchener is seeking passionate community members, representing voices who have been historically underrepresented or excluded, including Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ identified, people with disabilities, religious minorities, and the intersections of these identities, to sit on the new Equity and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee. Community members participating as part of this committee will work alongside city staff in the equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives division to support and further the City of Kitchener’s strategic actions around issues of equity and anti-racism. The application deadline is Nov. 19, 2021.  More information.
Afghan and Other Refugee Integration Updates
Waterloo Region Residents Can Help Afghan and Other Refugees Restart Their Lives
Join us in welcoming refugees to our region! Community members can support Afghan and other refugees 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.
Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region!
COVID-19 Information and Resources

It's in anticipation of Health Canada approving the vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 sometime this fall and that more groups will become eligible for a third dose. Learn more with this City News article. Do you need assistance with booking? Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-514-1499. More information here.

Beginning October 30, all passengers leaving from Canadian airports, as well as those travelling domestically via planes, trains, and cruises, will be required to show proof of full vaccination. The new federal travel rules will apply to people 12 years and older and there will be a “short transition period” for those who are in the process of being vaccinated. Get all the details here.
Other Information and Resources

The Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement (RCIS) and the CERC in Migration and Integration at Ryerson University present Canada in this paper as a case study, surveying the academic and grey literature to examine why and how Indigenous voices have been excluded from decision-making about immigrant selection.

The Ontario Ministry for Labour, Training and Skills Development recently announced that it will propose legislation to require regulatory bodies to remove Canadian experience requirements from their licensing processes. This TRIEC article explains the importance of this legislation for the Canadian workforce.

Martin Basiri, an Iranian-born technology entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard -an international student Edtech platform based in Kitchener-, explains in this "The Record" article why international students remain one of the key solutions to Canada’s skilled-labour shortage: "... they are trained, well educated, and eager to succeed and obtain permanent residency in their new home." Read the full article here.
Treaties Recognition Week
The first week of November marks Treaties Recognition Week to increase awareness of the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Ontario. We invite Waterloo Region residents, including newcomers and immigrants, take a moment to check the following resources and content with their families to understand the connection between the treaties and our lives as we move together to advance the reconciliation.

This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. To learn more, find here resources for children and families and virtual events and activities across the province.

In honour of Treaties Recognition Week, Wellbeing Waterloo Region encourages community members to read Tamara Starblanket's essay that discusses Indigenous Peoples and Crown perspectives of treaties and what rights and conclusions were agreed upon, while also acknowledging the misunderstandings of "Treaty" in colonial mainstream education systems. More resources can be found in the Wellbeing Waterloo Region newsletter.
Virtual Events and Webinars
Workshops for Senior Newcomers: Basic Technology Skills, Nov 2-Dec 21,
4-5:30pm
The Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program invites senior newcomers 55+ to join this workshop to learn how to use technology for everyday needs, to explore different tools and to navigate the internet. To register, please email [email protected] or call 226-789-0469.
Effects of the Pandemic on High School English Learners and Ways to Help Them Recover, Nov 2, 2pm
High school English Learners (ELs) have had to face many challenges during the pandemic: race to complete graduation requirement, earn family income, lack of digital access, etc. This Migration Policy Institute webinar will illuminate these and other challenges experienced over the last two y ears. 
International Youth Group, Nov 3- Dec 1, 4:30-5:30pm
Connect with other youth in this virtual group hosted by Carizon for 10 to 13 year-olds! Through games, art, sport, and EFT (what’s that? - come find out!) attendees will explore a wide range of issues that impact well-being during the Pandemic and explore new ways to connect virtually!
Ontario Newcomer Trades ACtion Program: Newcomer Information Sessions, Nov 9, 11, 16 and 18, several times
These sections will share information about the skilled trades and to provide information on how the skilled trades are a viable career path. During this session, YMCA of Three Rivers will explore jobs and opportunities on the skilled trades, discuss apprenticeships and training in Ontario and explain the Trades Equivalency Assessment (TEA), and much more! Registration Links here: November 9, November 11, November 16, and November 18.
Brave Circles, Nov 9, 16, 23 and 30, 5-7pm
Brave Circles is back this Fall. The Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW) invites community members with any questions about Muslims and their culture to ask them at Brave Circles and a CMW led panel would be happy to provide answers based on their lived experiences. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mifrah Abid: [email protected] 
Hiring, Discrimination and Newcomer Resilience, Nov 10, 12:15-1:30pm
This webinar will provide research updates on the following research topics undertaken by researches at Building Migrant Resilience in Cities: 1. Temporary Migrants and Resilience 2. Sounding Different, but Still Equal? Assessing Discrimination against “Audible Minority” Experts in Urban and non-Urban Settings in Quebec and Ontario 3. Employer Recruitment Strategies, Newcomer Employment and Resilience.
A Community Conversation about Indigenous Reconciliation and Newcomers, Nov 11, 6-8pm
As Canada continues to discuss Indigenous Reconciliation, the Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program is offering this panel as a community conversation. As we strive to build a sense of belonging and community here, the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People, knowledge about Indigenous lands, people, culture and history is foundational.
Growing Up Too Soon? A Panel Discussion on the Parentification of Newcomer Children and Youth, Nov 10, 1pm
In this National Newcomer Navigation Network webinar, a psychologist, a settlement worker in the education system and a manager of mental health centralized intake will share their experiences working with newcomer children and youth who have taken on adult responsibilities to contribute to the success of their families in adapting to their new country.
Housing Law Updates Lunch & Learn - November 2021, Nov 25, 12pm EST
Waterloo Region Community Legal Service is hosting this online event to discuss the recent changes to Ontario's housing laws, effective since September. They will also discuss the rights of a tenant in rental housing in Ontario and the eviction process, including eviction considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News


Your Voice Against Racism: Kelly Davis Waterloo Chronicle, Oct 29, 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 ([email protected]) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez ([email protected])
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