The Local Immigration

Partnership Council (LIPC)

LIPC Purpose

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance existing partnerships to establish a comprehensive Local Immigration Partnership Council in Waterloo Region. Through the coordination and work of this partnership, a collaborative strategy that includes solutions for successful settlement and integration of immigrants and refugees in the Waterloo Region will be developed.

Background

Presently, 22.3% of Waterloo Region residents are immigrants from diverse regions of the world, with an expected growth to 30% by 2031. The challenges and barriers faced by our newest citizens are varied and complex including: understanding the Canadian health system and accessing needed services, finding employment in their field and getting their foreign credentials recognized, learning a new language, learning how to integrate within local cultures and how to adapt family or personal ways into a new environment, or facing discrimination.

There are many settlement organizations in the Region with members who participate in WRIEN's (Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network) Immigrant Support Work Group (ISWG). On behalf of ISWG, and in response to the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach, the Region of Waterloo developed and submitted a proposal to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The proposal was accepted by CIC and planning activities began in March 2009.

Community Involvement

There are many ways for organizations and citizens to get involved in the identification of the issues and solutions related to coordinated immigrant and refugee settlement and integration throughout the next year through community strategy sessions (forums) and thematic task group meetings.

For more information, click on the links in the left side bar, or please contact Theron Kramer (Project Lead) at: theron.kramer@sympatico.ca

Funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada.