Volume 10 | October 2019
Newcomers benefit the housing market
Dear CCI Friend,

Are you thinking of selling your home one day? Here's something you should know. There's a one-in-five chance a newcomer will buy it.

That's the findings of a recent report by Royal LePage.

When newcomers arrive in your community, they usually buy a home within three years. The report says if current immigration levels are maintained, newcomers will buy 680,000 homes in the next five years.

That's good news for many of us who see our home as an investment or as a way to fund our golden years.

It's another reason why immigration is so important to our prosperity.

When newcomers arrive in Ottawa, they have the same dreams we do. They want a bright future for their children, they want to work, pay their taxes, give back to their community and live in peace.

When you support CCI Ottawa, you are helping newcomers realize their full potential in Canadian society. And you're ensuring Canada's future prosperity.

Kindest regards,

Carl Nicholson
Executive Director
The importance of immigration
Have you ever wondered why immigration is so important to Canada?

Currently, Canada accepts a little more than 300,000 immigrants each year. It sounds like a big number but these new arrivals represent just under 1% of the population.

The Conference Board of Canada says we should be doing much more to attract new Canadians — 500,000 and more a year.

Why do they say it should be higher? The Conference Board of Canada says “immigration is more important to Canada's prosperity than ever before due to the country's rapidly aging population and low birth rate.” The Board says it’s key to Canada’s growth strategy.

With our rapidly changing demographics, we need immigrants to help pay for our social programs and to generate economic growth. That benefits all Canadians.

Please share this on your social media feeds with #ImmigrationMatters
Your support helped this Syrian family
Abdel-Raouf Salloum remembers the day he arrived home and told his family they were on their way to Canada.

"There was a lot of tears and hugging," says the father of four girls.

After fleeing the brutal war in Syria, they arrived in Ottawa on New Year's Day, 2016.

Almost four years later, the family is enjoying their Canadian lives. This past Canada Day they became Canadian citizens.

This fall, Ghina, 16, is in Grade 11. Her favourite subjects are science, English and Math. Last year she made the honour roll and likes to play the piano. Mona, 14, is in Grade 10. She loves math and geography and wants to be an architect. Maria is 8 and is in Grade 4. The youngest child, Mira, is still at her home with mom Amani.

When you support CCI, you help families like the Salloums. Thank you for your continued support.
The power of monthly giving
Thank you for supporting refugees and immigrants. Your support means so much to the people who come to Ottawa to escape war, violence and poverty.

But did you know you can have a greater impact by becoming a monthly donor? Making a donation once a month adds up to a big impact by the end of the year.

A monthly donation provides stability and predictability for you and CCI. It's easy to sign up and is a more affordable way to give that adds up over time.

You can sign up for our monthly giving program by visiting our  donation page emailing Dora  or calling 613-232-9634, ext. 359.
Program helps newcomers with computers
I magine trying to earn a degree at university or advance your career without computer.

This is the unfortunate reality for many newcomers arriving in Canada. Many newcomers have never owned or even used a computer before.

A new program at CCI is making a difference. Newcomers can sign up for a four-week workshop that teaches them the basics of how to use a computer. We have also partnered up with Renewed Technology Computer Program to provide newcomers with low-cast computers and laptops..

Michael Tay, a CCI Community and Employment Connections team member, says owning a computer and participating in the program has changed many newcomers’ lives. Owning their own home computer allows them to complete their schooling, apply for jobs, learn about their new community, and ultimately, establish their new lives here in Canada.

Immigration stories to make you think
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