leaders’ roundtable on immigration
DESCRIPTION
A "welcoming community" is one that is able to create and build a friendly and supportive environment while retaining youth, developing a vibrant economy, and highlighting its character and natural beauty, making it a special place in which to live. - CIRRO Overview, 2009TRANSCRIPT
Leaders’ Roundtable on ImmigrationLeaders’ Roundtable on ImmigrationOctober 17October 17thth, 2010, 2010
David Paul, City of BrockvilleDavid Paul, City of Brockville
OUTLINEOUTLINE•Background
•Immigration Advantage
•The CIRRO Initiative
•Financial Resources
•Welcoming Communities program
•Leeds and Grenville Immigration Partnership
•Next steps
BACKGROUND – BrockvilleBACKGROUND – Brockville•Total population 24,000 with trade area of 50,000
•Population growth below natural replacement level
•Youth out-migration and retiree in-migration
•8% over national average of 60 + years population
•Low % of immigrant population
•Only 0.5 % of total population are recent immigrants who
arrived between 2001-2006 (Ontario’s average - 4.8%)
•Workforce crisis if current trends continue
IMMIGRATION ADVANTAGEIMMIGRATION ADVANTAGE•Demographic diversification – Younger families
•Attraction of talent – Skilled labor
•New businesses – Investment and Entrepreneurship
•International bridge – Economic and Educational
•Cultural diversity – Innovation and Creativity gains
•Strengthening pillars of economic growth – human
capital, investment and innovation.
•Sustainability for our Future
CIRRO STRATEGYA bottom-up approach, strengths and challenges (Community Stakeholders)
A collaborative structure (CIRRO Steering Committee)
An evidence-based approach (Documentation and Tools Production)
HOW TO ATTRACT AND HOW TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NEW CANADIANS?RETAIN NEW CANADIANS?
COMMUNITY PARTNERSCOMMUNITY PARTNERS-Developed key partnerships:
- The United Way of Leeds and Grenville, in its capacity as
a regional community building organization
- Brockville and District Multicultural Council, in its capacity
as the umbrella network for area ethno-cultural groups
-Worked with partners to involve more than 20 organizations
from across the region
SECURING FUNDINGSECURING FUNDING-Gathered newcomers to Canada in the region to understand
desires and needs
-Subsequently gathered community stakeholders to identify gaps
in regional service provision
-With project initiatives identified, successfully attained funding
through:
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada -“Welcoming Communities Initiatives”
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Career Bridge Program – Internationally Trained Professional Internship
WELCOMING COMMUNITIES WELCOMING COMMUNITIES PROGRAMPROGRAM
What is a ‘Welcoming Community’?
A "welcoming community" is one that is able to create and build a friendly and supportive environment while retaining youth, developing a vibrant economy, and highlighting its character and natural beauty, making it a special place in which to live.
- CIRRO Overview, 2009
BUILDING WELCOMING BUILDING WELCOMING COMMUNITIESCOMMUNITIES
OrientationImmigration Web - Portal; Newcomers’ Welcome Kit
Community OutreachAdvertisements in print and broadcasted media
Community ConnectionsReferral services; Involving International Students; Presence at, and involvement in, local celebrations
Research and UnderstandingUnderstanding newcomers’ needs, best practices, regional SWOT analysis, labour market opportunities
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
SWOT Analysis
Strengths – Quality of life, educational opportunities
Weaknesses – Lack of cultural communities, lack of work opportunities
Opportunities – Underutilized economic potential, proximity to immigrant hubs
Threats – Discriminatory attitudes
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
www.newcomersinfo.ca
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
1st Annual Newcomers Welcome Ceremony
(Presentation by 3 local mayors, and the MPP)
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
“First Impressions In a New Land”
International Photography Exhibition
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
8 articles covering the program featured in local newspapers 6 months
Radio public service announcements featuring contributions
of immigrants to community & economic development
PROGRAM INITIATIVESPROGRAM INITIATIVES
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTSADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS•BR+E Study with focus on workforce needs to feed into the
newcomer attraction strategies
•Business immigrants familiarization tour
•Establishment of Leeds and Grenville Immigration Partnership
with four working groups - Economic, Education & Services,
Cultural/Community Involvement and Marketing/Promotions
•Hosting the Conference Board of Canada’s “Immigration
Advantage” workshop
•Grant applications for continued funding
NEXT STEPSNEXT STEPS•“Community Connections” workshops across the
communities of Leeds & Grenville to connect newcomers
with available support and resources
•Newcomers’ Toolkits: information to ease and expedite
settlement
•Promotional video featuring Leeds & Grenville as a
welcoming place to live, study, work and play
•Educational video featuring social and economic benefits of
immigration in our communities
PROGRAM IN ACTIONPROGRAM IN ACTION
David Paul
Director,
Economic Development
City of Brockville
1 King Street West
Brockville, ON K6V 7A5
THANK YOUTHANK YOU