Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
July 05, 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
This Spring, Immigration Partnership and the Children and Youth Planning Table hosted several Anti-Racism 102 training sessions for community partners and staff, which focused on how to make anti-racist change in practice. This 2-hour session with Evelyn Amponsah, a leader grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression, used case studies to move us from theory to practice. This latest training series is part of the Immigration Partnership’s ongoing implementation of its Anti-Racism Commitment. It built on an earlier Anti-Racism 101 foundations training workshop, and a recording of the training is available for those who were unable to attend. Please click here to access the recording. 
We are pleased to invite readers to listen to the first episode of "I'mmigrant," a podcast series developed by creative students from Conestoga College’s Bachelor of Public Relations degree program, with mentorship by Immigration Partnership staff.

Students in the program acted as a micro-agency to Immigration Partnership to create communications content highlighting the positive contributions of immigration to Waterloo Region.

"I'mmigrant,' is a three-episode podcast series featuring the journeys and struggles of three different Immigrants who have chosen Waterloo Region as their home and a place to succeed: An international student, an entrepreneur and a worker. Listen to the first episode here.
Wednesday, July 7: Sharing Local Business Experience During the Pandemic
60 Successes in 60 Minutes
Join the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce for the final Manulife Business Success Series webinar of the season on July 7 at 1pm where local businesses will share their successes from the past year and how they achieved it. At the end of the hour, owners and employers will also walk away with 60 ideas that they could implement into their own business. Registration is free.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
City of Waterloo Passes Motion Advocating for Permanent Resident Voting
in Municipal Elections
Last week, Waterloo City Council passed a motion brought forward by City Councillor Royce Bodaly to advocate with the provincial government to allow permanent residents to participate as electors in municipal elections.

This initiative, passed with overwhelming support, is a local example of municipal leadership and advocacy in the welcoming, inclusion and engagement of immigrants. Immigrants represent approximately one-quarter of the population in the City of Waterloo, around one-quarter of whom are permanent residents according to the 2016 Canadian census. The motion can be read starting on page 12 here. More information.
Special Message from the Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) to Families
**Available in Several Languages**
With the start of summer, the Children and Youth Planning Table shares an open letter to young people, parents, and those parenting in Waterloo Region. The letter aims to ensure young people and adults feel seen, celebrated, and assured that work carries on over the summer to ensure families are well supported when the new school year begins in the fall. Please share this important message with immigrant families in Waterloo Region. It is available in English, French, Arabic, Farsi and Spanish.
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Immigration
Measures
To learn more about other measures or changes on Immigration legislation,
visit the

As of June 21, 2021, Confirmation of Permanent Residence holders are exempt from travel restrictions, no matter what date we issued your COPR, if you’re
  • travelling to Canada with a valid COPR and
  • coming to live and settle permanently
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.

Effective July 5, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents — those who have had a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada — will be able to skip the 14-day quarantine. Eligible air travellers will also be exempt from the requirement that they spend their first three days in Canada in a government-approved hotel.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

This Statistics Canada article reports that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, employment among child care workers has decreased. The Immigrant status of those workers are: Non-immigrants: 67%, immigrants: 29% and non-permanent residents: 4%. Of all home child care providers, one in five were Filipino. More information here.

Hospitality and tourism employees, owners, and companies have faced unprecedented challenge during the past year. The Carizon's Hospitality Mental Health and Wellness program is designed to help employees and owners from these industries recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their careers and companies.
Other Information and Resources

This Refugee Sponsorship Training Program Bulletin's edition includes a summary of the changes to the travel and entry requirements introduced by the new Orders in Council (OICs) that came into effect on June 21, 2021; and information on a webinar series in July such as "Before You Apply to Sponsor," "Preparing a Settlement Plan" and more.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
Before You Apply to Sponsor, July 6,
3-5pm
Join this interactive webinar by Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement programs that will provide the key information about engaging in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Attendees will learn about sponsorship: who is eligible to be sponsored, who can be a sponsor, the cost of sponsorship, and an overview of the application process.
Let's Be Neighbours- Newcomers' English Conversation Circle for Seniors, July 6-Aug 24, 4-5pm
Let's Be Neighbours- Newcomers' English Conversation Circle for Seniors by the Kinbridge Community Association is designed to support seniors throughout their settlement and resettlement journey. It offers seniors opportunities to improve their English language skills. More information, email [email protected] or call 2267890469.
Let's Be Neighbours- Art based workshop for newcomer seniors, July 8-Aug 26, 4-5pm
Enjoy social time while learning about including art in your life. Meet other members of the community. More info with newcomer staff at [email protected] or call 2267890469. This program is offered by the Kinbridge Community Association in partnership with the City of Cambridge and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program: Preparing a Settlement Plan, July 9, 3-5pm
This interactive webinar will provide an in-depth look at the financial and settlement responsibilities of sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program: Why the settlement plan is central to the application, how to calculate the application budget, where to find the application guide and how to read it with ease.
Supporting Sponsors in Increasing Understanding and Relationships Between Newcomers and Indigenous Peoples, July 13, 2pm ET
The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program invites private refugee sponsorship individuals and groups to a virtual event where Indigenous speakers will share knowledge and wisdom to help sponsors understand what newcomers to Canada should know about Indigenous culture and experiences of the past and present. 
Manufacturing Summit 2021, July 15, 9am-1pm
The Greater KW Chamber, along with key corporate sponsors and community partners, host the annual Manufacturing Summit as a way to bring the manufacturing and supply chain communities together in Waterloo Region. This year's event will focus on the importance of localizing supply chains, which has become increasingly important during the pandemic.
Canada’s Immigrant Determinant System and the Experience of the Economic Newcomer. July 21, 1pm
The National Newcomer Navigation Network invites newcomer-serving professionals in health and settlement sectors to attend this webinar that will answer questions like What is Canada’s determination system in accepting newcomers?; how does acceptance of an economic newcomer differ from temporary foreign workers, international students, and the various types of refugees and asylum seekers?; and more.
Pandemic Recovery: Building Resilience Workshop, July 25, 6:30-8pm
Join the Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force for an evening workshop, with both spiritual and medical leaders, on building resilience during the recovery stage of the pandemic.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News











Ontario combatting islamophobia in schools Ontario Newsroom, June 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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