For more details on our events and other immigration, anti-racism and community initiatives, follow us on our social media accounts! | |
Immigration Partnership News | |
We're Building Community Through Immigration | |
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The Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre and the Kitchener Public Library will be hosting Multicultural Connections 2023!
Save the date and join us for an incredible evening to connect with others and foster a more inclusive community! This event is absolutely free and is designed for newcomers, immigrants, refugees, ethnocultural organizations, and the community at large. Attendees will have the chance to meet and network with ethnocultural organizations, learn about valuable community resources, attend a grant writing presentation, and engage with Indigenous culture through music and dance. Plus, there will be children's activities, along with free prizes for the first 100 people who arrive. No registration is necessary to attend.
For more information, please contact Ana Lagos Suazo at ana.lagos@kwmulticultural.ca or by phone at 226-972-4836 or visit: Community Events - Immigration Waterloo Region
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The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting an online session featuring Jennifer Roggemann, where she will share her immigration expertise to support employers in their work with accessing and securing newcomer talent. With immigration becoming a major source for talent, many employers are facing challenges in understanding the pathways they need to take, including LMIA, temporary foreign workers, work permits, and more. Jennifer's clear and engaging approach to sharing her knowledge in this area will provide valuable insights and strategies for employers. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and learn from an expert in the field.
Jennifer was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Canada as a teenager. She completed her law degree at the University of Victoria Law School. She began her law practice in 1998 working in real estate, corporate commercial law, and immigration law. Since mid-2012, she has focused exclusively on immigration law, helping families reunite and working with businesses to bring skilled workers to Canada. She currently owns a boutique law firm in Waterloo Region that focuses on Canadian Immigration Law.
Register now to reserve your spot: Business Growth Series: Navigating Work Permits, Pathways to Permanent Residency, LMIA and More (cambridgechamber.com)
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Immigration Partnership Resources | |
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Muslim Social Services of Waterloo Region is offering free counseling services to people in the region who are devastated by the suffering or loss of loved ones due to the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
https://muslimsocialserviceskw.org/services-3 Or call 4399-772-519. Interns: 2707
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Community Partner Highlights
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Let’s Talk is heading to Waterloo!
Let's Talk is a free program for newcomer youth ages 14 - 21 that focuses on academic and career guidance. The upcoming Spring sessions will run weekly on Tuesdays from 5-7pm, between May 2 - June 20th at the McCormick Branch of the WPL. Register now and connect with your community, other youth, and career mentors as you prepare to achieve your career goals. Volunteer hours, food, and bus tickets will be provided.
Registration form: Let's Talk Spring 2023 Registration (google.com)
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Connecting Families with Early Learning and Child Care: Meet the ELCC Navigators
The YMCA of Three Rivers has a team of Early Learning and Child Care Navigators (ELCC Navigators) ready to help young families access early learning and child care services. As one of the first points of contact for families with young children, ELCC Navigators:
· Share information about licensed child care in Waterloo Region
· Help families apply for child care on the centralized registry (OneList Waterloo Region)
· Help families access and apply for child care subsidies
· Provide information and support access to other services and resources such as special needs resourcing, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and Public Health.
ELCC Navigators are funded by the Region of Waterloo. Learn more at: Early Learning and Child Care Navigators - EarlyON Child and Family Centre (earlyyearsinfo.ca)
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The 2022 tax season is here, and it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest changes and deadlines. | |
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Find a Tax Clinic in your Area
Community organizations are hosting virtual tax clinics where volunteers can assist you in completing and filing your taxes for free via video conference or phone. Volunteer tax preparation clinics can be held at any time during the year, however, most clinics are offered in March and April. Before visiting a tax clinic, make sure you are eligible for the free service. If you're planning to go to an in-person free tax clinic, please check out this directory: Find a tax clinic in your area (cra-arc.gc.ca)
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Key Dates for 2022 Taxes
Filling Dates for 2022 Taxes
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April 30, 2023 (May 1, 2023 since April 30 is a Sunday): Deadline to file your taxes
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June 15, 2023: Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed
Payment date for 2022 Taxes
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April 30, 2023 (May 1, 2023 since April 30 is a Sunday): Deadline to pay your taxes
For more information visit Get ready to do your taxes - Canada.ca
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Refugee Integration Updates | |
Community members can support Afghan and other refugees arriving in the region in many ways: Providing affordable housing or primary care, making monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region, donating clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts,etc. Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region! | |
Visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/ukraine to learn how residents of Waterloo Region can support the Ukrainians coming to Canada. In addition, visitors will find helpful information and tools shared by the federal government specifically for Ukrainian individuals and families such as service access instructions, welcome to Canada checklist, SIN for Newcomers, etc. | | |
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Канадська гаряча лінія з питань торгівлі людьми — це конфіденційна багатомовна служба, яка працює цілодобово та покликана зв’язувати жертв/ потерпілих із соціальними службами, правоохоронними органами й службами екстреної допомоги, а також отримувати підказки від населення.
Загальні ознаки примусової праці:
• Примус працювати задарма або за незначну оплату
• Роботодавець забирає документи, що засвідчують особу працівника
• Робота відрізняється від обіцяної
• Умови проживання незадовільні або небезпечні
• Мають місце прояви жорстокого поводження, недоїдання, недотримання особистої гігієни
• Наляканість, тривожність, ізольованість
• Обмеження пересування, контроль
• Примус до сплати боргу/незаконної плати за найняття
ДЗВІНКИ: 1.833.900.1010
ДОПОМОГА ОНЛАЙН: canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca
Поліція буде задіяна лише в тому випадку, якщо ви цього захочете.
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An Immigration System for Canada’s Future: Have your Say!
IRCC has recently launched a new engagement initiative, "An immigration system for Canada’s future", which aims to explore how immigration policies and programs can support a shared vision for Canada's future. It's essential to have immigration policies that are modern, responsive to change, and aligned with Canada's social, economic, and cultural needs. To collaborate on a vision of the future of Canada's immigration system, IRCC has launched an online survey and invites individuals to provide their ideas and advice for the future of immigration in Canada on behalf of their organization.
The survey will be open until April 27, 2023: An Immigration System for Canada’s Future: Consultation Survey (hkperspectives.com)
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Nominate for Waterloo Region's World Refugee Day Awards
The Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC) is thrilled to announce the World Refugee Day Awards of Distinction in Waterloo Region. These awards aim to honor exceptional individuals who have lived refugee experiences and volunteers who are devoted to assisting refugees, and who have played a significant role in making Waterloo Region a more inclusive community.
If you are aware of a deserving person with lived refugee experience who has made a positive impact on our local community through their skills, dedication, and vision, or a committed individual, youth, or community group who deserves recognition for their volunteer time, commitment, and energy in supporting the success of local refugees in Waterloo Region, please nominate them.
The nominations will close on April 28, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Submit your nomination at WORLD REFUGEE DAY AWARDS OF DISTINCTION 2023 - CCORiC
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Youth Employment Support Grant
The City of Kitchener is offering a Youth Employment Support Grant to reduce barriers to summer jobs for youth with low income. The grant offers up to $300 to help cover costs such as uniforms, transit, certifications, and other expenses that may prevent young people from applying for summer jobs with the City of Kitchener.
Applications are open until April 28, 2023.
Applicants can apply online: Youth Employment Support Grant - City of Kitchener
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Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund
Are you working on Truth and Reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion in our community? The Region's 2023 Upstream Fund is here to support your grassroots initiatives. Apply now and help create positive change from the ground up. Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2023
More information: Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund - Region of Waterloo
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Institute in Peace, Health and Sustainability with the Pegasus Institute
McGill is pleased to partner with the Pegasus Institute to offer courses for students interested in how migration, conflict, and the environment shape human health. Courses will explore connections between larger events of the world and the health of populations and individuals. This new course “Introduction to Migration and Health” will be offered in Spanish and English and the course “Environment and Global Health” returns this year with a French language option. Soyez des nôtres!
Participants are encouraged to take as many courses, across Institutes, as fits in their schedule. A certificate of participation will be issued for each course. The courses will be held from May 23 to June 9, 2023. There are in-person and online options.
More information: Institute in Peace, Health and Sustainability | McGill Summer Institutes in Global Health
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What Does it Mean to Be a Host
WR Grassroots Response is always looking for people in Waterloo Region willing to open up their homes to Ukrainian fleeing the war. The number of Ukrainians seeking shelter is not slowing and there are new requests for help every day.
If you are interested in becoming a host, there are several ways you can help. Hosts are people with space in their homes and a willingness to open their doors. Some hosts have a sofa bed and can offer emergency hosting only, others have a spare room or an apartment (and sometimes two) and are able to host for longer periods. Some can cook meals and help with paperwork.
Learn more about how you can become a host and support the Ukrainian community:
Provide Housing | WRGR (wrgrassrootsresponse.ca)
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Un Guide Pour Tous
GuideMoi est une application mobile gratuite dédiée spécifiquement aux immigrants francophones qui souhaitent ou viennent de s’installer en Ontario. Cette application est un guide intuitif qui accompagne l’immigrant et l’oriente tout au long de son parcours d’intégration.
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Find a Mentor to Help you Become a Licensed Health Professional in Canada
Mentor Me aims to assist internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) in obtaining licensure in Canada. Mentor Me provides a simple solution by connecting unlicensed IEHPs with licensed IEHPs for personalized, flexible peer mentorship throughout the licensing process.
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Migration Working Group: (Trans)nationalism
Apr. 25, 2023, 11:30AM - 2:15PM
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Join CERC Migration for our upcoming Migration Working Group meeting. The April Migration Working Group addresses the theme of (trans)nationalism. This meeting will be chaired by senior research associate Amin Moghadam. | |
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Strategic Resume Writing
Apr. 26, 2023, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
235 King St E 235 King Street E
Main floor - Room 1C Kitchener, ON
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The Region of Waterloo Employment Services will a free workshop designed to help job seekers from a variety of career backgrounds with critical resume tips and insights. This workshop will dive deeper into systems used to shortlist resumes and tailor them to stand out. | |
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Welcoming Internationally Educated Nurses into the Canadian Health Care Sector: Recommendations for Change
Apr. 26, 2023, 1:00PM - 2:00PM
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Despite being targeted by recruitment campaigns, less than half of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who immigrate to Canada end up employed in their profession. In September 2022, N4 brought together key stakeholders along the pathways for IENs licensure and employment within its unique Community of Practice (CoP) Working Group model. This webinar will provide an overview of the pan-Canadian concrete and actionable recommendations co-developed over the CoP’s seven months of work. | |
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Community Open House | LiftOff C•H•A•T•S - Health!
Apr. 29, 2023, 1:00PM - 5:00PM
2 King Street West Kitchener, ON
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LiftOff C•H•A•T•S is an open house for entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and community members, to engage with each other via networking, talent displays, showcasing, and community engagement. This second instalment will be focusing on the topic of Health.
Have a fantastic lineup of Health experts, FREE blood pressure checks by a nurse, health & wellness products on sale, giveaways, entertainment and much more!
Make sure to register and secure your tickets today!
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Reflections on Canada's Immigration Narrative: A Roundtable Discussion Moderated by Nan Kiwanuka
May 9, 2023, 6:30PM - 8:30PM
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Join CERC Migration for a roundtable discussion, moderated by TVO’s Nam Kiwanuka, to take a close-up look at today’s dominant Canadian immigration narrative, asking what’s at stake and how might the narrative move toward a more inclusive and welcoming society. | |
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Sustainable Health Resources and Information for Newcomers
May 10, 2023, 1:00PM
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Organizations such as Our Kids Health (through Unity Health), About Kids Health (through Sick Kids), and Refugee613 are three such organizations that collect, summarize, and disseminate information to help newcomer populations through informative resources in multiple languages. From distributing quickly developing news on the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccines to accessing specific services within their community, this panel discussion will present from key subject matter experts answers to many questions on development and maintaining reliable and easy to understand information to newcomers across Canada. | |
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Datafication of Borders and Migration
May 25, 2023, 9:30AM - 4:15PM
Hybrid
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Along with partners at Utrecht University and Tampere University, CERC Migration hosts a hybrid workshop. Join an interdisciplinary gathering of scholars to discuss the research on the use of digital technologies and datafication in migration management, the implications for refugees, and the unsettling consequences in border management and policymaking applications. | |
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Multiculturalism at a Crossroads
May 30, 2023, 10:00AM - 4:45PM
Hybrid
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CERC Migration will be hosting a workshop to explore the future of multiculturalism, asking if it can overcome the divide created by populist regimes between the majority and minorities. Co-convened by Gurpreet Mahajan (formerly Jawaharlal Nehru University) and Anna Triandafyllidou. | |
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Practice your English
Every Monday, until Jun. 19, 2023
3:00PM - 4:00PM
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Practice your English skills in a small group setting with a trained volunteer, all from the comfort of your own home! All newcomers are welcome. This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Each session is 45 minutes. | |
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Practice your English
Every Wednesday, until Jun. 21, 2023 10:00AM - 11:00AM
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Practice your English skills in a small group setting with a trained volunteer, all from the comfort of your own home! All newcomers are welcome. This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Each session is 45 minutes. | |
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2023 English Conversation Circles
Every Tuesday, until Jun. 22, 2023 11:00AM - 12:30PM (Online)
6:30PM - 8:00PM (In-person)
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The YMCA of Three Rivers will be offering English Conversation Circle to help newcomers practice their spoken English skills! This program is free and is drop in meaning you can attend as many sessions as you want. | |
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Women's English Conversation Circles
Every Thursday, until Jun. 22, 2023 10:00AM - 11:30AM (In-person)
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The Kitchener Public Library is offering Women's English Conversation Circles, where all newcomer women are welcome to join and practice speaking English in a relaxed and comfortable environment with other women. Meet new friends, share stories, and learn about life in Canada. | | | | |
