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Creating a better future for communities through research

Summit Goal

The goal of the Immigrant Skills Summit was to gain cross-sectoral input and commitment to a comprehensive set of action plans that will attract and integrate immigrant skills into Waterloo Region's labour market.

These action plans formed the basis for launching a Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, modeled after the successful Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC).

The Immigrant Employment Network would serve to strengthen our Region at three levels: 1) promote immigrant well-being, 2) contribute to a prosperous regional economy, and 3) build healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities.

Summit Partners

In the fall of 2004, over 30 groups began coming together to envision and plan for an Immigrant Skills Summit in Waterloo Region. Partners included business and labour leaders, politicians and civil servants, representatives of educational institutions, community-based organizations and immigrant groups. These partners made up the planning group for the Summit.

Initiated and led by the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services this planning group held two preliminary meetings. An e-loop was created as a forum to encourage discussion on immigrant employment issues in Waterloo Region. Messages were concise and provided updates on the formation of the Immigrant Employment Network.