Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News | |
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The Immigration Partnership's 2022 Newcomer Landlord Award recipients will be announced at the Region of Waterloo’s 21th National Housing Day celebration on November 22 at 10am. The award seeks to recognize local landlords who have made important contributions to the settling and community integration of newcomers and refugees in Waterloo Region.
This year’s focus of the National Housing Day celebration is on the work of Non-Profit and co-op housing providers who play an integral role in the housing system and, alongside other housing and support partners, Build Community Together in Waterloo region. We invite you to join us in celebrating individuals or groups in our community who have gone above and beyond to support community members to achieve their housing and life goals. This event will be held both in-person and virtually. For those attending in-person, there will be snacks and beverages provided. Register here.
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Webinar for Employers: Business Growth Series: Is your Team Quietly Quitting? | |
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Sponsored by the Immigration Partnership and MNP, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting a webinar series for employers to help them grow their businesses. The next webinar, taking place on Dec 1 at 11am to 12pm, will feature Frank Newman, founder and CEO of Newman Human Resources Consulting Inc., who will discuss what is happening in the workforce landscape having to deal with employees quietly quitting, plus hybrid work arrangements, 4-day work weeks, work from anywhere, acute skill shortage of workers and more.
The speaker will share insights, so employers will know when staff are "quietly quitting" and provide solutions on how to keep their teams productive and engaged. Register 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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Nov 15 and 17: 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 to Refugees Information Session. Choose from Tuesday, November 15, 7-7:30 pm or Thursday, November 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 to Refugees Info Session.
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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!
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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.
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Information and Resources | |
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Recruiting Newcomer Immigrant Women to Participate in a Research on Public Transit Use and Experience in Waterloo Region
Nabila Prayitno, a PhD Candidate at the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo, is currently recruiting newcomer immigrant women, who came to Canada in the past 5 years and regularly use transit, for her research on public transit use and experience in Waterloo Region.
It consists of an one-on-one interview (1-1.5 hours) and a ride along with participants on 2 or 3 transit trips. This research will look at the role of public transit in the daily life of participants, their transit experiences, their mode choice decisions and aspects of transit that they would like to see improve. Participation is completely voluntary. Participants will receive $40 for completing the interview or $60 for completing the interview and ride-along component.
If you are interested or would like to know more about the study, please email Nabila Prayitno at [email protected] or call 647-894-2325.
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Migration and Resilience in Urban Canada: Why Resilience/? Why Now?
This York University research explains a social resilience approach to the integration of international migrants, evaluates its benefits for understanding the experiences of contemporary international migrants, and proposes research to illustrate the merits of a social resilience approach. This research points to new ways of thinking about policies and programs to facilitate immigrant integration that take account of today’s complex pathways to permanence for many immigrants.
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Containing Diversity: Canada and the Politics of Immigration in the 21st Century
This book, a recomendation by Building Migrant Resilience in Cities, reflects on how diversity is being “contained” through practices designed to insulate the Canadian settlercolonial state. In assessing the Canadian government’s policies towards refugees and asylum seekers, economic migrants, family-class migrants, temporary foreign workers, and multiculturalism, the authors show the various contradictory practices in effect.
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International Education Week | |
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Celebrating our international students as an essential pillar of Waterloo Region ’s long-term competitiveness!
International Education Week (IEW) is celebrated worldwide every third week of November. We celebrate it to showcase the cultural diversity of our international student population in Waterloo Region! They contribute to Canada’s prosperity and have a greater impact on Canada’s economy.
Let's review some facts and research on the importance of international education to the country and the journey of international students seeking to fulfill their professional dreams in Canada.
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International Students as a Source of Labour Supply: A summary of Recent Trends
Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Statistics Canada jointly released a series of six research articles examining the role of international students as a source of labour in Canada. Topics covered include recent trends in the number and characteristics of international students. These studies focused largely on international students studying at the postsecondary level and arriving since 2000. The findings of these articles are summarized here.
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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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University of Waterloo Joins International Education Week Celebration
The University of Waterloo joins stakeholders from over 100 different nations in celebrating this important week by showcasing the merits to international education through a variety of programs, events, collaborations, debates, discussions, and an array of activities for the University of Waterloo community. More information here.
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IN HER SHOES: Newcomer Women, Fall session: Nov 21 | |
Registration is now open for the In Her Shoes: Newcomer Women, an employment and entrepreneurship training program for visible minority newcomer cis and trans women and non-binary individuals with a focus on building computer and digital literacy skills, employment skills and entrepreneurship and starting your own online business. | |
Ethical and Legal Considerations of Consent and Privacy, Nov 16, 1-3pm EST | |
Newcomer families and subsequent patients have some differences in their understanding of consent laws and ethical considerations that exist in Canada. Join CHEO Bioethicist, Dr. Michelle Mullen for an in-depth presentation and active discussion on the ethical and legal considerations of Canada’s consent and privacy laws. | |
CYPT Annual Forum, Nov 16-17, Zoom & Communitech | |
Join the Children and Youth Planning Table from November 16 & 17, 2022 for its annual forum. November 16 will be entirely virtual and will feature Keynote Speaker Dr. Jean Clinton. November 17 will be entirely in person, hosted at Communitech, and features The Belonging Expo. | |
Online Information Session on Catch UP Payments, Nov 17, 12-1pm | |
YMCA School Settlement Services will be hosting an Online Information Session on Catch UP Payments on Thursday, November 17, from 12pm to 1pm on Zoom. If you are a newcomer to Canada and are interested in attending this information session, please email [email protected] or call 519-742-8220. | |
Migration, Governance and Gender, Nov 22, 10am-4pm EST | |
Join CERC Migration for our upcoming Migration Working Group: Scholars of Excellence Edition. The November meeting investigates migration, governance and gender: how women migrants are impacted by policy, but also how, through agency and resilience, they confront and reshape policies. | |
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. | |
Language Interpreter Training virtual information session, Nov 23, 7-8pm | |
The Language Interpreter Training program of Conestoga College will host a virtual information session. The program coordinator will present learning outcomes in the program, skills development, and how this learning can be applied to careers. An additional session will take place on December 13. | |
Healthy Eating for Newcomers. A Library Settlement Partnership Program, Nov 23, 6pm | |
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This presentation for newcomers will cover:
- Canada's Food Guide
- how to read nutrition labels
- understanding expiration dates
- natural vs. processed foods
- seasonal/fresh foods in Canada
This program is presented in partnership with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre. Registration is required.
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IRCC-PHAC Information session about COVID-19 vaccines, Nov 22, 12:30pm | |
This session will include a brief presentation on the steps the Government of Canada is taking to ensure access to a safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccine this fall/winter. This webinar is for all IRCC-funded settlement and integration service provider organizations and staff to support frontline workers with information to relay to newcomer clients. More information here. There is a French version of this webinar on Nov 23, register here. | |
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. | |
ExtravArtganza, Nov 26, 10am-4pm | |
Join Family & Children's Services Foundation for a free, family-friendly event to celebrate our community of artists, and the art of community at the Family centre. The event will include a holiday maker's market, performances by youth and community groups, yummy treats for sale, family photographer on side for mini sessions, art activities for the whole family and more. For more information, email at [email protected]. | |
Discussing Labour Shortages: Working Towards Solutions, Nov 30, 8:30am-12pm | |
The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin holds a session each year to discuss workforce challenges and, this year, we are returning to in-person sessions. In this session, they will share some information about the labour market and some ideas as to where the people are, why recruitment may be a challenge as well as what could affect retention. Then participants will answer some questions such as: What are your biggest challenges now? What will they be in six months? How will that impact your business or organization? What do we do, or promote if it already exists, in the next year to move the needle towards meeting needs? What requires longer and how can we get started now? | |
Program and Career Advising for Newcomers, Nov 30, 6pm ET | |
Are you new to Canada and thinking of getting a Canadian education to help start a career? If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or convention refugee, then this Conestoga College's live interactive session is where you want to start. Staff can help you with information about International credential evaluation, Canadian Language Benchmark, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), English Language Studies, and other college programs. They can help you understand admission requirements for college programs and utilizing your International education and professional experience. | |
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Honouring the fallen: Cambridge mosque hosts ‘Muslims for Remembrance’ ceremony The Record, Nov 13, 2022
‘This is our only hope’: Undocumented migrants risk arrest to make their case in Ottawa Toronto Star, Nov 12, 2020
International students at Ontario colleges also need tuition freeze Waterloo Chronicle, Nov 11, 2022
Dutch World Cup players to meet migrant workers in Qatar The Star news, Nov 11, 2022
Liberals open the immigration floodgates, but will Canada and the newcomers benefit? National Post, Nov 11, 2022
Ontario Supporting More Paid Internships for Postsecondary Students Ontario Newsroom, Nov 09, 2022
Ontario Strengthening Holocaust Education to Counter Rising Antisemitism Ontario Newsroom, Nov 09, 2022
Latine or Latinx? How Waterloo Region Latin Americans prefer to identify Waterloo Chronicle, Nov 07, 2022
Heavenly Hungarian: Gulyás leves and schnitzel a hit at Cambridge club Cambridge Times, Nov 06, 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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