Research Sites
Toronto and Waterloo Region were the two sites for the research program. They are excellent natural laboratories for studying and promoting the development of new approaches. As noted in the chart below, both Toronto and Waterloo Region have burgeoning cultural diversity. They also have academic institutions that house leading scholars in the diversity and mental health fields. Both regions also have a range of existing services and supports for immigrants and a number of mental health service organizations working within the empowerment and community integration paradigm.
This program links these progressive partners, enabling them to work across differences in service-delivery methods towards the common goal of cultural empowerment.
Although involving only two sites, the learnings of this program are relevant for geographic communities across Canada.
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Waterloo Region |
Toronto |
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Description of Area |
Located in southern Ontario in the centre of the triangle formed by Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario . The Region includes three urban municipalities: Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and four rural townships: North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. |
Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada ’s largest city and the capital of Ontario. It is the economic and cultural hub of the province. Seven local governments have recently been merged to create one city with one municipal government. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. |
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Population |
450,000 |
2.5 million |
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Key Economic Sectors |
Information technology, environmental management, financial, retail, manufacturing |
Financial, retail, corporate, automotive, real estate and construction |
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Diversity |
At 22%, Waterloo Region has the highest per capita immigrant population of all urban areas across Canada. Approximately 2700 new immigrants arrive each year. 21% of the population are foreign-born and speak a language other than English or French. 10% are visible minorities. High proportion of refugees. A popular secondary migration destination.
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Home to immigrants from over 170 countries. Over 100,000 new immigrants arrive each year. 47% foreign born population. 43% of population are visible minorities. Only 54% of residents have English as their mother tongue. Primary destination for about half of all immigrants to Canada. |
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Academic Centres
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University of Waterloo |
University of Toronto |
