Voies vers la prospérité: Canada

Monday, November 14, 2022
3:30 – 4:45 PM 

1. Recherches d’IRCC sur les immigrants de langue officielle en situation minoritaire

Président: Maciej Karpinski, Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC)

Au courant des dernières années, IRCC a développé une expertise sur les enjeux touchant aux immigrants de langue officielle en situation minoritaire. Cet atelier vise à présenter les faits saillants de son programme et de ses projets de recherche. Il se basera sur les résultats d’une synthèse d’une quarantaine de rapports commandités par IRCC et des recherches menées récemment sur l’immigration au sein des CLOSM. Les sujets abordés comprendront le profil démographique et socioéconomique des immigrants, l’offre de services d’établissement, les enjeux et défis liés à leur intégration économique, sociale et académique ainsi qu’à leur transition vers la résidence permanente.

• Portrait et résultats économiques des résidents permanents de langue officielle en situation minoritaire
  Ndeye Diouf et Éva Koumaglo, Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC)
• Enjeux et défis liés à l’accueil, l’intégration et la rétention des immigrants de langue officielle en situation minoritaire
  Stéphanie Bacher et Éva Koumaglo, Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC)
• Aller de l’avant : Programme de recherche d’IRCC sur les immigrants dans les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire
  Maciej Karpinski, Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC)

2. An Overview and Insights From IRCC’s Evaluation of the Family Reunification Program

Chair: David Kurfurst, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Family reunification has long been a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration programming by allowing recent immigrants and Canadians to reunite with their family members. From the perspective of understanding outcomes and in support of the program’s future direction, IRCC is conducting an evaluation of its Family Reunification Program from 2014 to 2021. This presentation will highlight how the evaluation uses a comprehensive methodology built on multiple lines of evidence and data sources, as well as some of the early insights into the program.

• David Kurfurst, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Jessica Schafer, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Kurt Powell, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

(Download All Presentations)

3. What Drives Immigrant Economic Integration? Assessing the Impact of Settlement, Education and Training Interventions

Chair: Iain Reeve, The Conference Board of Canada

Which settlement interventions and education and training programs advance the economic integration of immigrants early on? What kinds of ‘Canadian experience’ boost employment and earning prospects for new permanent residents, temporary foreign workers, and international students? Does effectiveness of settlement practices differ for vulnerable groups like racialized newcomer women? Based on new research and insights from the field, this session will explore these questions and inform the design and delivery of settlement and other services that set permanent and temporary residents up for economic success.

• The Economic Integration Value of Canadian Education and Work Experience 
  Iain Reeve, The Conference Board of Canada
• Significance of Self-awareness, Adaptability and Communication Skills Among Immigrants (Download Presentation)
  Sabina Michael, UofT Rotman – Intercultural Skills Lab
• Designing and Delivering Industry-engaged Employment Programming (Download Presentation)
  Sue Sadler, ACCES Employment
• Designing and Testing Targeted Employment Services for Racialized Newcomer Women for Maximum Impact (Download Presentation)
  Susanna Gurr, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)

4. Expanding Settlement Beyond Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver – Leveraging Inter-sectoral Collaboration to Increase Immigration to Smaller Urban and Rural Communities

Chair: Sylvie Moreau, Colleges and Institutes Canada

Communities outside of the traditional major metro landing cities are motivated to attract immigrants and uniquely suited to facilitating their meaningful employment, but many lack access to the audience and resources necessary to pursue these goals. Collaboration is the key to unlocking these communities’ potential to attract and retain more immigrants. In this panel, researchers, immigrant service providing organizations and municipal actors will explore how non-traditional landing communities are piecing together the knowledge, strategies and connections they need to support diverse and vibrant immigration across all of Canada. Exciting results from recent collaborations will highlight potential paths forward for Canada.

• Fostering Inter-Sectoral Collaboration that Accelerates Pre-Arrival Immigrants’ Labour Market Entry in Smaller Urban and Rural Communities
  Cameron Moser, ACCES Employment
• Learning Together What Works: The Connecting Canada Project
  Julie Rodier, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)
• Delivering on Immigration: The City of Moncton Role in Cross Sectorial Partnerships in Times of Disruption
  Angelique Reddy-Kelala, City of Moncton

(Download Presentation)

5. Resettlement Assistance Program: Partnerships, Mental Health and Models of Care

Chair: Jennifer Sandu, London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC)

In this workshop the IRCC-funded partnership project “Improving RAPS model of service for clients in mental distress” will be presented. The purpose of the project is to understand the needs of RAP staff in assessing and supporting clients with mental distress and to evaluate, develop and test a client centered model of service to reduce mental health distress among RAP clients, including providing staff with essential tools and resources. This project highlights the importance of intersectoral collaboration, systems change and equity-oriented care in exploring the mental health needs of government assisted refugees. Mental health initiatives will also be explored in respective RAP-SPOs.

• Research Project: Improving RAPs Model of Service for Clients in Mental Distress (Download Presentation)
  Aamna Ashraf, Centre for Addiction and Mental health (CAMH)
• Exploring Mental Health Initiatives in Various RAP Service Provider Organizations  
  Vince Pietropaolo, COSTI Immigrant Services (Download Presentation)
  Jennifer Sandu, London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) (Download Presentation)

6. An Unexpected Partnership: How Two Organizations Came Together to Support Unaccompanied and Separated Ukrainian Children

Chair: Danielle Ungara, CWICE, Peel CAS

JIAS was made aware of unaccompanied and separated Ukrainian children arriving in Canada under the CUAET program by a grassroots organization called Canada Hosts Ukrainians. Due to the high-risk nature of the situation, JIAS quickly convened key stakeholders including CWICE to develop an action plan. JIAS was awarded IRCC funding and collaborated with CWICE to further study the issue and come up with recommendations for best practices. We will share the results at the workshop, along with lessons learned for the settlement sector. It is a story about two sectors coming together with shared intentions to ensure vulnerable children are protected.

• Liz Okai, CWICE, Peel CAS
• Danielle Ungara, CWICE, Peel CAS
• Laura Gold, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services Toronto (JIAS)

7. Workplace Language Training Model – OCISO, Refugee and Immigrant Supports for Employment – RAISE

Chair: Hiba Fazl Ullah, Community Economic Development & OCISO

Research indicates that having adequate workplace language skills and understanding Canadian workplace culture remain two topmost barriers facing vulnerable newcomers entering employment within NOC Skills C&D in Canada (Cheng, Im, Doe, & Douglas, 2020). Studies surveying employers’ perspectives indicated these factors influence employers’ ability to recruit and retain this demographic. Our innovative Workplace Language Training (WLT) is a unique, first-of-a-kind, research-backed program developed by OCISO and Carleton University’s Linguistics’ School, tested on-the-job at employer sites, that takes a step forward in the direction of a much-needed non-traditional, workplace language and cultural skills training to support vulnerable newcomers to employment.

• Michael Rodgers, Carleton University
• Alexis Dominguez, OCISO

(Download Presentation)

8. Community Responses to Global Pandemic: Promising Practices from Canada, US, Europe and Oceania

Chair: Joanne Winter, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

This workshop will examine the evolving role of welcoming communities and local partnerships in supporting immigrant integration and social cohesion in the context of pandemic and post-pandemic recovery. Examples of promising practices will include trends from Canada’s Local Immigration Partnerships, including participation in Welcoming Week, as well as trends from other partners in the Welcoming International Alliance featuring innovative approaches from USA, Europe and Oceania. The workshop will highlight how communities have responded, what policies and initiatives helped overcome pandemic challenges and will compare best practices, public campaign tools and community partnership models that can be carried forward as the pandemic evolves.

• Trends from Across the Welcoming International Alliance (Download Presentation)
  Christina Pope, Welcoming America, and Kate Leaney, Welcoming Australia
• Local Immigration Partnerships in Unusual Times: Successes and Lessons Learned (Download Presentation)
  Paulina Wyrzykowski, Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership & Douglas Olthof, Jasper Local Immigration Partnership, Co-chairs of National LIP Secretariat
• Immigration Matters and Inclusive Communities: Marketing and Advertising Campaign (Download Presentation)
  Lisa Woodley, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

9. Expanding Data Horizon for Immigration Planning and Research

Chair: Jennifer Watts, Immigrant Services Association of Nove Scotia (ISANS)

In addition to iCare and other administrative records held by IRCC, settlement services organizations (SPOs) have accumulated client data. These data hold much potential as valuable resources for planning and evaluation of programs and services within the SPOs, government agencies and academic research. To unlock such potential, collaboration across the various sectors is essential to exchange resources and expertise. This workshop will:

1. Introduce client data held by ISANS and ISSofBC and data sets held by IRCC
2. Discuss how those data can be used for program and policy planning
3. Explore how they are accessed by external researchers to advance policy research

• Beyond reporting – The Power of Settlement Data
  Kathy Sherrell, ISSofBC
• Connecting the Data Dots: From Service to Outcomes
  Anthony Caldwell, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
• Liberation of Immigration Data Matters!
  Chantal Goyette, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Immigration Data in Academic Research and Training
  Yoko Yoshida, Western University

(Download Presentation)

10. From Pre-Arrival to Employment: Collaborating to Create a Seamless Francophone Integration Pathway

Chair: Arcelia Camacho, ACCES Employment

The Francophone Integration Pathway supports Francophone immigrants from pre-arrival to citizenship. Effective collaboration of stakeholders at all points of this pathway fosters strong ties between newcomers and Francophone communities, supporting the vitality of Francophone communities. Active Anglo-Franco partnerships are being created that seamlessly transition Francophone immigrants in minority contexts through this entire pathway. This session will highlight how Francophone pre-arrival service delivery supports clients in identifying and succeeding within bilingual programming and how these partnerships accelerate the success of French-speaking newcomers.

• Partnerships That Support Bilingual Newcomers’ Success 
  Arcelia Camacho, ACCES Employment
• From Pre-arrival to On-The Ground Services : A Seamless Transition Through Strategic Partnerships 
  Aura Maria Forero, Actions Interculturelles
• Catalysing and Supporting Newcomers to Reach Their Full Potential 
  Baptiste Bourquardez, Collège Boréal, and Elise Cotter, Collège Boréal

(Download Presentation)

11. The Role of Pre-migration and Post-migration Context in Immigrant Integration

Chair: Antoine Bilodeau, Concordia University

This workshop proposes a series of presentations on the integration of immigrants in the social and political spheres and with a special attention on the role of pre-migration and post-migration context. More specifically, the presentations will examine the role of traumatic experiences among Syrian refugees, of private sponsorship programs, of the political context at the time of settlement among immigrants in Canada, as well as the role of the perceived welcoming context in Quebec. This panel is organized by the Immigration Research Initiative/Initiative de recherche sur l’immigration at Concordia University and funded by the Secrétariat du Québec aux affaires canadiennes.

• Subjective Well-being & Syrian Refugees’ Adjustment to Life in Canada (Download Presentation)
  Colin Scott, Concordia University, and Dietlind Stolle, McGill University
• Private Sponsorship of Refugees and the Integration Process : A Preliminary Analysis of the Impacts of Relationships Between Sponsors and Sponsored Refugees in Québec (Download Presentation)
  Clothilde Parent-Chartier, University of Ottawa
• Time of Arrival and Immigrant Voter Turnout in Canada
  Stephen White, Carleton University
• Assessing the Terms of Inclusion: Implications of Boundary Perceptions for Identification and Political Engagement among First and Second Generation Immigrants in Quebec (Download Presentation)
  Antoine Bilodeau, Concordia University, and Kristina Simonsen, Aahrus University

12. Comment pouvons au mieux rassembler les communautés ethnoculturelles et les fournisseurs de services afin d’appuyer l’établissement et l’intégration des nouveaux arrivants

Facilitateur: Cherif Diallo, Francophonie Albertaine Plurielle

13. Housing for Newcomers: Getting the Numbers Right to Start Responding

Facilitator: David Crenna, Canadian Housing Policy Roundtable

14. Emerging Women’s Issues and Promising Practices for Interventions: Afghan GAR and CUAET Client Populations

Facilitator: Renata Cosic, International Women of Saskatoon

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
8:30 – 9:45 AM 

1. Leçons tirées de l’établissement des réfugié.es syrien.nes au Québec pour les arrivées massives à venir – Partie I : résultats de la recherche

Présidente: Damaris Rose, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)

L’arrivée massive des réfugié.es syrien.nes a donné lieu à une recherche sans précédent et à une collaboration importante avec le milieu de la pratique. Quelles leçons pouvons-nous en tirer en vue des prochaines arrivées massives de réfugié.es ? Pour y réfléchir, nous proposons deux ateliers réunissant des chercheur.es et des praticien.nes. Ce premier atelier vise à identifier les principaux résultats de recherche appelant une action en termes pratiques ou politiques qui pourraient être bénéfiques dans l’avenir. L’atelier qui suit vise à identifier les modes de collaboration entre chercheur.es et praticien.nes qui ont le mieux soutenu la pratique et les politiques.

• Angles morts des politiques et des programmes d’accueil : perspectives tirées de recherches auprès de réfugiés de la Syrie (du Liban au Québec) (Télécharger la presentation)
  Roxane Caron, Université de Montréal et Marie-Jeanne Blain, Université de Montréal
• Un regard longitudinal sur le bien-être des réfugiés syriens en processus d’installation : retombés pour le plaidoyer politique et la pratique (Télécharger la presentation)
  Jill Hanley, Institut universitaire SHERPA et Université McGill
• Leçons à retenir de la réinstallation des réfugié.es syrien.nes à Gatineau pour les arrivées massives de réfugié.es à venir (Télécharger la presentation)
  Anyck Dauphin, Université du Québec en Outaouais
• Synthèse des résultats de recherche en lien avec les réfugiés syriens
  Garine Papazian-Zohrabian, Université de Montréal

2. Documenting the Lived Experience of Resettled Syrian Refugees: Research Insights and Lessons Learned

Chair: Keith Neuman, Environics Institute

The wave of Syrian refugees accepted by Canada in 2015-16 was unprecedented in both scope and timing, and presented significant challenges for government agencies, the settlement community and the refugees themselves. What was the experience like for these individuals and families upon arrival and as they established new lives in Canada? What lessons might this experience have for future refugee settlement? These questions were addressed through a major research project by the Environics Institute, based on in-depth interviews with over 300 refugees across the country. The workshop will review key findings from the research and consider what insights it offers in terms of the refugee experience, resettlement policy and programs

• Keith Neuman, Environics Institute for Survey Research (Download Presentation)
• Chris Friesen, ISSofBC
• Nabiha Atallah, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
• Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University

3. Racism and Discrimination in Employment and the Settlement Sector: Perspectives from Newcomers and Service Providers

Chair: Lindsay Alves, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Hear results from a study about discrimination and racism in employment and an initiative to address systemic racism in immigrant services. 1) Racialized newcomer women who participated in the CPRNW Pilot shared their perceptions and personal experiences with discrimination and racism in employment, including impacts of the discrimination on their well-being. 2) Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership is implementing and evaluating an anti-oppression approach to build capacity in immigrant-serving agencies to combat systemic racism in Metro Vancouver. 3) Early learnings from the TCLIP anti-oppression capacity building project reiterate the need for an anti-oppressive approach in delivering settlement services.

• Experiences with Discrimination and Racism in Employment: An Exploratory Study with Participants in the Career Pathways for Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot Project (Download Presentation)
  Susanna Gurr, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), and Sol Park, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)
• An Anti-oppression Framework to Combat Systemic Racism in Immigrant Services (Download Presentation)
  Thábata da Costa, Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership
• Early Learnings from the TCLIP Anti-Oppression Capacity Building Project (Download Presentation)
  Xiaoyang Luo, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)

4. Operation Welcome Home: Innovative Collaborations and Solutions to Addressing the Needs of Displaced New Arrivals

Chair: Queenie Choo, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

The workshop will share IRCC’s response to address the needs of displaced Ukrainians and the unique collaborations that were necessary to develop an integrated approach to support displaced newcomers to Canada. Housing availability and affordability are key challenges to displaced newcomers’ settlement and integration, especially in the Metro Vancouver area. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has identified community and housing partners to develop and deliver an innovative pilot program, Operation Welcome Home which is a transitionary housing program aimed at providing wrap-around settlement and employment services along with housing to those in need of emergency housing and support due to unexpected upheaval.

• Canada’s Response to Displacement (Download Presentation)
  Queenie Choo, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and Corinne Prince, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Operation Welcome Home: An Innovative Collaboration to Address the Housing Needs of Displaced New Arrivals (Download Presentation)
  Queen Choo, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and Ryan Drew, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

5. The Intersection of International Students and Institutions: Transitions, Institutional Strategies, and Student Experiences

Chair: Ann Kim, York University

The challenges in the international education sector lie at the intersection of international students and institutions. By virtue of their status as temporary residents, international students contend with immigration policy and practices, educational institutions’ priorities and branding and recruitment strategies, and on- and off-campus environments and communities. This session brings together dynamic research on international students at multi-levels to examine immigration policy, internationalization strategies, institutional resources, and local communities. Through studying intersections and student pathways and experiences, we learn about the institutions themselves and areas in need of attention and change.

• From Student to Immigrant? Pathways to Permanent Residence Among Former International Students
  Kathryn Dennler, The Conference Board of Canada
• For Students, Look East; For Partners, Look West: How Canadian Internationalization Strategies Portray Asia and Europe
  Elizabeth Buckner, University of Toronto, Janine Knight-Grofe, University of Toronto, and Cynthia Eden, University of Toronto
• Studying in Canada while Being an Asian International Student: A Review of Barriers to the Learning Experience
  Guanglong Pang, Michigan State University, and Brandon R. G. Smith, Michigan State University
• Resources Offered by Universities in Montreal According to Chinese International Students: Critical and Emancipatory Perspectives for Social Justice and Equity
  Roberta de Oliveira Soares, University of Montreal, and Marie-Odile Magnan, University of Montreal
• The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Racial Experiences of Korean International Students in Canada and the US
  Patricia Trudel, York University, Angie Chung, SUNY-Albany, Mihyon Jeon, York University, Thomas Klassen, York University, Min-Jung Kwak, Saint Mary’s University, and Hyunjung Shin, University of Saskatchewan

6. Anti-Bullying Initiative: Empowering Youth to be Active Bystanders and Leaders

Chair: Hanne Brahim, Immigrant Services Calgary

Immigrant Services Calgary has developed and implemented the Anti-Bullying Initiative (ABI) curriculum as a direct response to increasing bullying incidents in schools and the community. The ABI curriculum is based on “Train the Trainer” model that empowers and educates youth to be active bystanders and leaders. The ABI curriculum is accessible and free for all agencies, school boards, and community organizations. In less than a year, through active collaboration with partners, ABI has trained 229 youths and 81 facilitators. This workshop will explore the development of the curriculum, its impact, and the successes and challenges of the community-based anti-bullying initiative.

• Hanne Brahim, Immigrant Services Calgary
• Candice D’Souza, Immigrant Services Calgary
• Lorraine Kinsman, Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

(Download Presentation)

7. Harmonizing Best Practices for Effective Allocation and Efficient Distribution of Donations: A Work in Progress

Chair: Nangyalai Tanai, CISSA-ACSEI

The workshop will describe the current structure and practices that emerged since May 2022 in response to the unique Ukrainian humanitarian emergency in Canada. It will also take a deep look into the collaborative role of provincial umbrella organizations and provide an opportunity for CISSA-ACSEI to elaborate on the role of data in evidence-driven support to clients, and discuss ways to strengthen reporting, transparency and accountability in allocating and distributing donations to displaced people. The workshop will also examine how ISED has facilitated contact among Canadian businesses, CISSA-ACSEI and its national network of settlement organizations to provide direct and critical support to those in need.

• Building Partnership and Managing Donations
  Nathalie Auger, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), Nangyalai Tanai, CISSA-ACSEI, and Jun Cho, CISSA-ACSEI
• Lessons-learned and Promising Practices from the Settlement Sector
  Malini Singh, OCASI & Provincial (Ontario) Action Table

(Download Presentation)

8. Innovative Mental Health Support in BC’s Agricultural Industry

Chairs: Wendy Bennett, AgSafe, and Hugo Velazquez, MOSAIC

Mental health issues affect 1 in 5 Canadians. That grows to 1 in 4 farmers and even more for Canada’s guest workers in agriculture who are away from their families and their culture.  Caring for the overall health and well-being of our guest workers may provide them with the resources and tools they need to positively support their own mental health. AgSafe interviewed workers from Mexico and Guatemala to learn about what would help them with their own mental health.  We are excited to share the results of these interviews and the tremendous resources that have been developed to support the mental health of our guest workers.

• Wendy Bennett, AgSafe BC (Download Presentation)
• Hugo Velazquez, MOSAIC (Download Presentation)
• Rolando Ajzac Guajan, Windset Farms
• Kylie Bartel, Kylie Bartel Consulting

9. Strengthening Community Capacity in Rural Communities

Chair: Soheila Homayed, Rural Development Network

More immigrants are choosing to settle in rural communities across Canada. However, these communities often face struggles in meeting the settlement and integration needs of newcomers for several reasons, including limited capacity of rural service providers, lack of financial resources, barriers to access training, and limited knowledge of the settlement of rural newcomers. This presentation will focus on a pilot project delivered by the Rural Development Network and ASSIST, aimed at building the capacity of rural service providers in Alberta to support the attraction, retention and settlement of newcomers in rural communities. This presentation will highlight the importance of capacity building, address the relationship between urban-rural settlement, and will offer key insights into our findings from the project.

• Strengthening Community Capacity to Support Newcomers
  Soheila Homayed, Rural Development Network
• Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion (READI) Project
  Ashija Joshi, ASSIST Community Services Centre
• The Urban-Rural Settlement Divide
  Fion Lee, ASSIST Community Services Centre

(Download Presentation)

10. Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) – A Discussion about Technology and Innovation

Chair: Juliana Pelinsom Marques, ISANS – SOPA Program

Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) engages a network of six settlement agencies across the country to provide guidance and customized pre-employment supports designed to help newcomers find and retain employment in Canada. We have been using different technologies to provide service to clients, and we are continuously adjusting, changing, and evolving in the fields of technology and innovation. Technology is present at SOPA when serving clients and collaborating with the six partners who are part of this pan-Canadian initiative. In this workshop, we aim to outline the challenges and opportunities we have encountered on our journey.

• Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA): An Overview about our Practices and the Use of Technology (Download Presentation)
  Andreea Glavan, World Skills Employment Centre – SOPA Program
• Developing a Cross-Canada Database: Challenges and Opportunities (Download Presentation)
  Samira Wahhab, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
• Creating a Virtual Community: Strategies Learned Through the Pandemic (Download Presentation)
  Kristy-Lu Desrosiers, Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI)– SOPA Program

11. Using Social Enterprise Revenue to Supplement Funding Gaps

Chair: Jillian McDonald, Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC)

Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) has been striving to diversify its sources of revenue to enhance sustainability. To achieve this goal, ISC transformed a current program into a social enterprise and expanded its offerings to value-added marketable services for the community. ISC was able to re-direct resources to where they were needed the most during the pandemic. This workshop will (1) explore how social enterprise can raise unrestricted funds to support and/or scale services of high-priority programs, (2) discuss opportunities and challenges when initiating fee for service in the non-profit environment, and (3) discuss the use of impact investing to scale up.

• Jillian McDonald, Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC)
• Kayla MacKenzie, Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC)

(Download Presentation)

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
1:45PM – 3:00 PM EST

1. Les cheminements de carrière des nouvelles arrivantes racisées d’expression française

Présidente: Julie Rodier, Société de recherche sociale appliquée (SRSA)

L’emploi est essentiel à la réussite de l’intégration des personnes nouvellement arrivées au Canada. Cette session explorera l’expérience du marché du travail des nouvelles arrivantes d’expression française. Les résultats d’un projet de services d’emploi ciblés aux nouvelles arrivantes racisées seront aussi présentés. Plus spécifiquement, nous explorerons le programme Carrielles et le rôle des fournisseurs de services à faire le pont entre leurs clientes et les employeurs afin de faciliter l’intégration au marché du travail des nouvelles arrivantes racisées francophones.

• Explorer l’intégration au marché du travail des nouvelles arrivantes racisées d’expression française (Télécharger la presentation)
  Samuel Blanchard, Société de recherche sociale appliquée (SRSA)
• Le projet Cheminements de carrières des nouvelles arrivantes racisées: accent sur les nouvelles arrivantes racisées d’expression française (Télécharger la presentation)
  Julie Rodier, Société de recherche sociale appliquée (SRSA)
• Le programme Carrielles: programme ciblé pour maximiser l’intégration des nouvelles arrivantes racialisées d’expression français sur le marché du travail (Télécharger la presentation)
  Soriba Kanté, Société Économique de l’Ontario

2. Improving Settlement Outcomes (an IRCC Perspective)

Chair: Kathy Cook, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Presenters from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will provide a review of findings from IRCC’s Settlement Program’s (Service Delivery Improvement funding envelope) projects. This presentation will look at some of the lessons learned and cross-cutting findings identified through the 80+ recently concluded SDI projects. The presentation will also provide insights into the newest cohort of SDI projects, currently underway, and will look to the future of the Settlement Program. IRCC will also discuss Settlement Program Client outcomes, including how they are defined and measured for the Settlement Program, as well as what we have heard from settlement providers and clients themselves about settlement outcome achievement and barriers.

• Darcey Bell, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (Download Presentation)
• Kathy Cook, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (Download Presentation- EN) (Télécharger la presentation)

3. Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Movements: National Secretariats’ Promising Practices and Lessons Learned

Chair: Katie Crocker, AMSSA

Canada has recently responded to two concurrent humanitarian crises – the Afghan Special Initiative and Displaced Ukrainians arriving under emergency travel authorization as temporary residents. In both operations, with funding from IRCC, National Secretariats have been established by the settlement sector to convene and facilitate national discussions, receive and distribute corporate Canada donations, connect interested volunteers to on the ground operations and numerous innovative and promising practices on reception, online programming, housing, etc. This workshop will review the intersections between challenges and successes, and lessons learned while considering how we move forward in building and sustaining a national capacity to manage ongoing periodic humanitarian movements.

• Corinne Prince, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (Download Presentation)
• Chris Friesen, ISSofBC and CISSA-ACSEI (Download Presentation)
• Umashanie Reddy, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (Download Presentation)

4. Equity and Empowerment: Fostering the Real Organizational Change

Chair: Olga Stachova, MOSAIC

The issue of racism is an undeniable part of Canada’s history and present reality. The harsh experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with global movements for racial justice have awakened our understanding of the gaps that always existed but never questioned the way they are today. While there is an increased awareness among organizations to embrace diversity, there is a lack of sight on how to achieve mindful inclusion. This panel discussion will offer an opportunity to reflect on challenges organizations face in accomplishing systemic changes. The presenters will discuss best practices for empowering immigrants to create greater diversity and inclusion in organizational leadership structures and boardrooms.

• Sandhya Ghai, MOSAIC (Download Presentation)
• Henry Akanko, Hire Immigrants Ottawa (Download Presentation)
• Magdalene Cooman, World Skills Employment Centre (Download Presentation)

5. How Social Media and Technology Pave the Way for Non-Traditional Service Delivery

Chair: Sahar Dolatshahi, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Through the pandemic many services shifted to online delivery, which allowed for plenty of innovation and collaboration between partners and key stakeholders in the pre-arrival settlement sector. The sector now continues to strive for that ingenuity to facilitate the delivery of client services, with a goal of harnessing technology and innovation to streamline newcomer settlement journeys and strengthen their active involvement in Canada’s social and economic life. This workshop will explore current challenges and how technological innovation and collaboration within the sector aids to support clients’ needs through seamless service provision and integration by examining key projects.

• Stephanie Santos, YMCA of Greater Toronto
• Rizza Solis, YMCA of Greater Toronto
• Rachel Hua, YMCA of Greater Toronto
• Nicholas Ghadiri, CARE Pre-Arrival Support and Services (PASS)
• Juliana Marques, ISANS – SOPA Program
• Cameron Moser, ACCES Employment
• Ghaith Sheikh, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

(Download Presentation)

6. Leçons tirées de l’établissement des réfugié.es syrien.nes au Québec pour les arrivées massives à venir – Partie II : collaboration entre chercheur.es et praticien.nes

Présidente: Jill Hanley, Université McGill

L’arrivée massive des réfugié.es syrien.nes a donné lieu à une recherche sans précédent et à une collaboration importante avec le milieu de la pratique. Quelles leçons pouvons-nous en tirer en vue des prochaines arrivées massives de refugié.es? Pour y réfléchir, nous proposons deux ateliers réunissant des chercheur.es et des praticien.nes. Ce deuxième atelier, qui fait suite au premier atelier portant sur les résultats de la recherche, vise à identifier les modes de collaboration entre chercheur.es et praticien.nes qui ont le mieux soutenu la pratique et les politiques afin que la recherche alimente plus efficacement l’action dans l’avenir.

• Leçons tirées de l’établissement des réfugiés.es syrien.nes au Québec : collaboration organisme communautaire-chercheurs
  Lida Aghasi, Centre social d’aide aux immigrants
• Leçons tirées de l’établissement des réfugiés.es syrien.nes au Québec : collaboration ministère-chercheurs
  Anne-Marie Morin-Dion, Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec
• Leçons tirées de l’établissement des réfugiés.es syrien.nes au Québec : collaboration organisme de francisation-chercheurs
  Jean-Philippe Doucet, Enseignant de francisation au centre d’éducation des adultes des Portages-de-l’Outaouais

7. #ImmigrantsWork: A Community Engagement Initiative to Activate Employers in Co-Designing Inclusive Hiring Practices

Chair: Daniel Cervan-Gil, World Education Services (WES)

Activating employers and industry/employer-facing organizations in building inclusive recruitment and hiring strategies that incorporate immigrant talent is critical to Canada’s economy. WES has partnered with three communities to pilot a community engagement initiative driven by local stakeholders focused on immigrant employment and co-developing resources with employers. Participants in this pilot will share their experience, insights and lessons learnt. As WES expands and scales the initiative up, communities across Canada will be invited to explore how WES can add to their capacity to sustain and move initiatives forward, working closely with employers, to close the talent gap and ensure immigrants are not left behind.

• Angelique Reddy-Kalala, City of Moncton
• David Yan, World Education Services (WES)
• Nora Whittington, Immigration Partnership Waterloo Region
• Sarah Hickman, Regional Municipality of Durham

(Download Presentation)

8. Immigrant Youth Develop Employability Skills through Multimedia Projects

Chair: Lloydetta Quaicoe, Sharing Our Cultures Incorporated

This workshop will discuss our project, Youth Engagement through Multimedia, a forward-thinking approach to developing employability skills among immigrant school youth. In collaboration with schools and communities, we engaged youth in hands-on learning which culminated in the creation of television episodes. Culturally diverse youth learned skills, including research, leadership, public speaking, and television production. They increased their employability through establishing social networks and community connections. This project was conceived because the pandemic demonstrated that multimedia literacy is an essential future skill. Following our presentation, we will discuss the skills required for immigrant youth to succeed in the future in Canada.

• Youth Engagement through Multimedia Project: An Overview
  Lloydetta Quaicoe, Sharing Our Cultures Incorporated
• Creating Inclusive and Safe Spaces for Youth to Develop Sustainable Skills
  Emilie Marchal, Sharing Our Cultures Incorporated
• Community Collaboration Through Television Production
  Linda Lambe, Rogers TV St. John’s

(Download Presentation)

9. Meeting Labour Market Needs: Preparing Newcomers and Engaging Employers in Specific Sectors

Chair: Christine Alvarez, Immigrant Services Association of Nove Scotia (ISANS)

Canada’s labour market is experiencing unprecedented shortages resulting in significant challenges for employers. How can we help bridge this gap to meet labour market needs while supporting newcomers in launching their career in Nova Scotia? With comprehensive employability support, ISANS focuses on competency and communication training while engaging employers in specific sectors. Over the past few years, our team has been collaborating with key stakeholders to launch programs for long-term care aides, early childhood educators, and professional drivers. During this workshop, ISANS staff and employer stakeholders will discuss strategies and tools used to successfully integrate newcomers into the workforce.

• Delivering Employment and Communication Training for Newcomers Entering Specific Sectors in NS 
  David Neilsen, Immigrant Services Association of Nove Scotia (ISANS)
• Attract & Retain Immigrant Talent; Supporting Employers at All Stages of Employment 
  Kyle Turner, Immigrant Services Association of Nove Scotia (ISANS)
• Attract & Retain Immigrant Talent; Supporting Newcomers in Their Journey to Employment 
  Anna McBeth Youth and Bridging Programs, & Tanja Matthews, Immigrant Services Association of Nove Scotia (ISANS)
• Success Story & Employer Best Practices 
  Kelly Henderson, Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic

(Download Presentation)

10. Lessons Learned and the Future of Migrant Worker Supports: Reflections from the Migrant Worker Support Network Funded Organizations

Chair: Sabrina Dumitra, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of British Columbia (AMSSA)

In this workshop, four organizations funded through the Government of Canada’s Migrant Worker Support Network, led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), will come together and present lessons learned through providing programs and services to temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in regions across Canada. The reflections provided by each organization will focus on challenges, successes, and best practices in supporting TFWs. In addition, as the initial funding for these projects will be ending on September 30, 2022, organizations will look to engage in discussion on what the next steps should be in supporting TFWs across Canada.

• Jessica Juen, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (Download Presentation)
• Ryan Drew, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (Download Presentation)
• Jennifer Ng, MOSAIC (Download Presentation)
• Sabrina Dumitra, AMSSA (Download Presentation)

11. Hybrid Services for Newcomers: New Thinking & New Possibilities

Facilitator: Carolyn Langdon, Achēv

12. Just Words: The Impact of Language, Narratives, and Jargon on Newcomer Settlement and Integration

Facilitator: Theresa Jones, World Education Services