Smiths Falls: A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers

Transcription

Smiths Falls:
A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers
2
Smiths Falls:
A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers
Table of Contents
Mayor’s Message
pg 3
Acknowledgment
pgs 4-6
Background
pgs 7-8
Demographics
pgs 9-13
Executive Summary
pgs 14-29
Planning Process
pgs 30-31
Community Consultation Plan
pgs 32-36
Action Plan
pgs 37-46
Conclusion
pg 47
References
pgs 48-49
Appendices
pgs 50-108
Photo Acknowledgment
Photographs used in Smiths Falls: A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers are courtesy of Michele Baitley, Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Lanark County, the EMC, Simon Lunn, Filipino Choir and Town of Smiths Falls staff members.
3
Mayor’s Message
The establishment of our Local Immigration Partnership Council is critically important to ensure that the Town of Smiths
Falls provides the necessary supports, programs and local strategies to attract and welcome newcomers to our
community.
The Town of Smiths Falls is known as one of the friendliest communities in Canada and offers an excellent quality of life,
great shopping and services, excellent schools, abundant recreation, and just about everything a newcomer is looking
for.
We look forward to attracting more newcomers to our community, and the Local Immigration Partnership Project will
allow the Sensational Town of Smiths Falls to continue to grow and prosper as we welcome new citizens.
Dennis Staples,
Mayor of Smiths Falls
4
Acknowledgment
Dianne Pinder-Moss, Coordinator of the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project, and Amber Coville,
Project Assistant, would like to express their appreciation to all those who contributed towards the development of
“Smiths Falls: A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers”. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of the
members of the Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC) who have provided their support to the project since the
outset.
Current members:
•
Peter Au, Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association (alternate Janice Ling);
•
Pauline Anderson, Welcome Wagon;
•
Rima Aristocrat, Willis College (alternate Amy Zetting);
•
Melinda Billett, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (alternate Rebecca Kavanagh);
•
Sarah Bridson, United Way of Lanark County (alternate Fraser Scantlebury);
•
Karen Burns, CIBC (alternate Chris Cummings);
•
Yohan Byrde, Comfort Inn;
•
Kristina Crosbie, Dominion Lending Centres: The Mortgage Source (alternate Eileen Crosbie);
•
Councillor Ken Graham, Town of Smiths Falls (alternate Councillor Lorraine Allen);
•
Sandy Grey, Lanark County Social Housing (alternate Nancy Green);
•
Kevin Grimes, Century 21 Your Choice Realty Inc., (alternate Jacalyn Feenstra);
•
Ming Shan Gu, Education Bridge International Inc, and Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. (alternate Chuang Wei
(Victor) Mu);
•
Daphne Lane, TR Leger Immigrant Services (alternate Julie Case);
•
David Lawrence, RBC Royal Bank;
•
Kim Leach, Town of Smiths Falls;
•
Karen Schecter, Smiths Falls Public Library;
•
Michelle Toop, ontrac Employment Resource Services (alternate Joanne Watson);
•
Rev. J. Angel Valentin, Smiths Falls Free Methodist Church and Bridges (alternate Pastor Judy Finley).
5
Former LIPC members:
•
Nancy Metcalfe, Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce (who has taken on another job);
•
Major Brian Fuller, The Salvation Army (who was transferred to western Canada);
•
Traci Brigham, community at large (who has moved to Vancouver).
In addition, we would like to thank 20 additional members of our community who were recruited for the four Work
Groups, along with members of the LIP Council.
Work Group members:
•
Christine Mike, Member of Community;
•
Suzanne Geoffrion, Lanark County Planning Group for Children, Youth and Families;
•
Peter McKenna, Smiths Falls Community Health Centre;
•
Jennifer Miller, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lanark County;
•
Louis Tremblay, Smiths Falls and District Arts and Culture Council;
•
Doris Marshall, Smiths Falls and District Centre for Youth;
•
Stacey Roy, Media, The EMC;
•
Tony Gilchrist, New Directions ;
•
Murray Kyte, Algonquin Perth Campus;
•
Al Olson, Smiths Falls Kingston Learning Center;
•
Joanne Watson, ontrac Employment Resource Services;
•
Wendy Quarry, Smiths Falls Community Health Centre;
•
Chris Cummings, Town of Smiths Falls Councillor;
As well, we would like to acknowledge the input of:
Other members of the Town of Smiths Falls Immigration Development Team
•
Bob Cheetham, Director of Economic Development;
•
Kim Leach, Acting Manager of Community Development and Tourism.
Former LIPC Staff:
•
Nicole Sullivan, LIP Coordinator (March – October 2011)
6
Special mention should also be made for the support of:
•
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC);
•
Town of Smiths Falls;
•
TR Leger Immigrant Services;
Finally, we would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who participated in the public consultation phase of the LIP
Project, which took the form of focus groups, key informant interviews and surveys. The input provided was valuable as
the information gathered helped to form the recommendations in the Action Plan.
Views expressed in this document are those of the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council and are not
necessarily those of the Government of Canada. The report may be freely cited without permission provided the authors
are acknowledged. Information presented in this report was current at time of printing.
7
Background
The recently released 2011 census data was quite revealing in terms of Canadian population trends. Based on the data,
two-thirds of the nearly two million people added to the country’s population since the 2006 census were immigrants.1
To illustrate the significance of these figures, the census report found, “Without a sustained level of immigration or a
substantial increase in fertility, Canada’s population growth could, within 20 years, be close to zero.”
The Conference Board of Canada has reported that Ontario faces a shortage of more than 360,000 skilled employees by
2025, which is expected to escalate to more than 560,000 by 2030.
For rural communities in particular, immigration has become an essential source of population sustainability, regional
economic development and cultural vitality. Reports have shown that immigrants can assist businesses in addressing
labour shortage issues, and provide professional services that are in demand such as in the health care profession. Also
cited as major benefits is the fact that newcomers frequently start new businesses and create jobs as entrepreneurs.2
In 2011, the Economic Development Department dealt with seven international inquiries. Three of the queries
originated from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with another two arising from the real estate
sector, in terms of interest shown in investment properties. One inquiry was directly related to the Sister City
Agreement between Smiths Falls and Xiangyang, China. The other involved a business plan requiring training of a foreign
worker for external projects. The origin of the inquiries was as varied as the nature of the queries – Middle East, China,
Asia, Europe and the United States.3
Likewise, the Lanark-North Leeds Enterprise Centre in Smiths Falls has provided information to newcomers who
expressed interest in opening a business. The business interests ranged from agriculture to retail to convenience
store/variety shop to delivery to service (consulting and tutoring). Some of the newcomers also attended seminars
hosted by the Enterprise Centre.4
With the Town of Smiths Falls having made Immigrant Attraction and Retention a priority in its Strategic Plan and other
planning documents, (see Executive Summary page 14), the Town responded to a call for proposals by Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC) in the fall of 2010 for Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project funding.
Consisting of regional, municipal, or neighbourhood coalitions, LIPs are designed “to strengthen local capacity to attract
newcomers and improve integration outcomes, as indicated by enhanced economic, social, political, and civic
participation.” 5
1
Statistics Canada 2011 census
Ian Wong, Attracting Immigrants to Rural Communities, The Monieson Centre, Queen’s School of Business, Queen’s University,
August 2009
3
2011 statistics, Town of Smiths Falls Economic Development Department
4
Cindy James, Manager, Lanark-North Leeds Enterprise Centre
5
Welcoming Communities website, www.welcomingcommunities.ca
2
8
Approved for funding in the amount of $219,342, the Smiths Falls LIP Project was established in March 2011. One of 45
LIP projects in the Province of Ontario and among 10 commencing Phase I in 2011, the Smiths Falls project, which
includes an 18-kilometre radius from the municipality, is one of the smallest, in terms of population served.
Among the stated objectives of the LIP initiative in Smiths Falls:
•
Work to develop a sound understanding of newcomer trends and requirements in the community. By utilizing
an employee dedicated to the program, the Town of Smiths Falls will be able to facilitate data collection to
enhance the LIP initiatives and provide a framework for them to act upon;
•
The researcher will collect and review stories from newcomers to Smiths Falls and the surrounding area,
including a 18-kilometre radius from the municipality;
•
Conduct local focus group sessions to discuss areas of immigration growth and gaps in existing systems, and how
these can be addressed;
•
Interview local service providers on available programming and services for newcomers and agency thresholds;
•
Interview and engage employers to understand local market requirements. Along with Employer Information
Forms and Employer Challenges Forms being distributed to approximately 250 local employers, employers were
also consulted through interviews and a focus group session. The feedback received from those that participated
in the consultation process was 83 per cent were interested in hiring newcomers.
•
Facilitate the introduction of trainer newcomers with local employers;
•
Create a Local Immigration Partnership Council;
•
Create a Terms of Reference for the partnership council established by the LIP Project;
•
Assist in the development and creation of an Action Plan with the LIP Council to address yearly priorities and
ensure these are implemented into the Town of Smiths Falls Strategic Plan. The Smiths Falls LIP Project was
officially kicked off on June 16 with a Celebration Evening at the Memorial Community Centre. A full house of
approximately 60 people was in attendance for the official announcement of the project by Mary Barr, Director
of Intergovernmental Affairs, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
“I’m so pleased to see a focused effort on the welcoming and integration of newcomers to
Sensational Smiths Falls. We will all be richer for the experience in the end.”
Jennifer Miller, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Lanark County and LIP Work Group
Member
9
Demographics
Strategically located between Toronto,
Ottawa and Montreal, the Town of Smiths
Falls is a separated municipality in the
County of Lanark in eastern Ontario.
Encompassing approximately 8.5
kilometres geographically, the town
currently has a population of 8,978.6
Officially incorporated on January 1st,
1883, Smiths Falls is located at the heart of
the Rideau Canal, which was designated a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and is the
sole UNESCO site in Ontario.
Over the next 25 years, the number of seniors
aged 65 and over is projected to more than double in Ontario from 1.8 million, or 13.9
per cent of the population in 2010, to 4.1 million, or 23.4 per cent, by 2036.7 In Smiths
Falls, that could even be more pronounced as already 38.1 per cent of Lanark County’s
population is 50 years of age or older. The average age in the county is 43.1, which
exceeds the provincial average by four years.8
From the 2006 to 2011 censuses, there was a two per cent decline in the population of the Town of Smiths Falls.
In comparison, the average population growth nationally was 5.9 per cent.
In 2011, Smiths Falls had 4,070 occupied private dwellings, an increase of 6.8 per cent
from the 2006 Census.9 Along with its many other amenities, the lower housing prices
in Smiths Falls, as compared to neighbouring communities, makes the town an
attractive place to live. The average residential sale price in the Town of Smiths Falls in
2010 was $155,895 with that increasing to $164,927 for the first eight months of 2011.10
6
Statistics Canada 2011 Census
Statistics Canada, 2010 and Ontario Ministry of Finance projections
8
9
10
Rideau St. Lawrence Real Estate Board MLS statistics
7
10
In Canada’s rural and small
town areas in 2006,
immigrants accounted for
5.3 per cent of the
population, numbering
312,555 individuals. 11
There were 448
immigrants in Smiths Falls
in 2006, which is five per
cent of the population.
Projections for 2010 were
510 with that number
expected to rise to 671 by
2020.
Of the town's
immigrant
population,
the largest
number were
from Europe
(320),
followed by
the United
Kingdom with
139, the
United States
with 57 and
Asia and the
Middle East
with 51. There
were also
small pockets
of immigrants
from the
Caribbean (16)
and Central
America (3). 12
11
12
Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 2, Statistics Canada, June 2009
2006 Census based data, Environics Analytics
11
From January 1, 2006 to
December 31, 2010, 49 new
landed immigrants planned to
settle in the Smiths Falls
census subdivision. The top
four birth countries of these
newcomers were the
Philippines, United States,
India and Korea. With
regards to their mother
tongues, the majority spoke
English, Tagalog, Gujarati or
Korean. The largest number
of newcomers (28) was in the
25 to 44 year age group.
12
Over 80 per cent of all immigrants to Smiths Falls who arrived between 2006 and 2010 were English-speaking. 13
Over the past century, immigrants have played an important role in Smiths Falls' business community. Some examples of
thriving businesses during that time period were the Smiths Falls Candy Kitchen opened by Greek immigrant Mack
Katinas in 1920, a dry goods business founded by Lebanese newcomer Saul M. Aboud in 1922 and the real estate
business of Emilio and Sylvia Camara who emigrated from Spain in 1967.14
In recent years, Smiths Falls has become home to a number of newcomer entrepreneurs who have established
restaurants, retail businesses and travel accommodations. Many employ local residents to work at their places of
business.
Newcomers are also employed locally in various job sectors from retail to health care to live-in caregivers to the
hospitality and food wholesale industries to temporary farm workers. 15
The unemployment rate for
the EI Economic Region of
Eastern Ontario, which
encompasses Smiths Falls,
currently stands at 8.7 per
cent.16 The town has
experienced the loss of
nearly 1,700 jobs since
February 2007 through
the closure of its two
largest employers, the
Hershey’s chocolate
factory and Rideau
Regional Centre, as well
as the loss of other
manufacturers like
Stanley Tools and Flakt.
On the job front, between 2001 and 2006, Lanark County
experienced the greatest employment increases in the sectors of retail trade, health care and
social assistance and other services with the exception of public administration. These figures suggest that the county,
including Smiths Falls, like other regions in Ontario, is transitioning from an economy with a strong industrial base to one
13
2006 Census based data, Environics Analytics
Glenn J. Lockwood, Smiths Falls: A Social History of the Men and Women in a Rideau Canal Community, 1794-1994, Motion
Creative Printing, 1994
15
Interviews with local employers and Employer Information Forms
16
Unemployment Rate & Benefit Table (for the period of February 5, 2012 to March 10, 2012), EI Economic Region of Eastern
Ontario, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
14
13
that is more retail and service focused. This is reinforced by the fact that industries in Lanark County reporting the
greatest increases in the number of employers from 2009 to 2010 were specialty trade contractors, general
merchandise stores and personal laundry services.
Likewise, the largest employment increases during that time period were reported in small and medium businesses, in
nursing and residential care facilities, health and personal care stores, and food services and drinking places. 17
Between April 2011 and September 2011, 33 employers requested services from ontrac Employment Resource Services.
A breakdown of the employer requests were as follows:
•
Construction/Landscaping – 30 per cent;
•
Retail – 16 per cent;
•
Food Services – Two per cent;
•
Transportation – Five per cent;
•
Warehousing/Movers – Five per cent;
•
Sales – Seven per cent;
•
Office – Seven per cent;
•
Education – Five per cent;
•
Trades – Seven per cent;
•
Health Care – Five per cent;
•
Manufacturing – Seven per cent;
•
Cleaning – Two per cent;
•
General Services – Two per cent.
Of the 46 clients referred for job opportunities, 34 were hired as a result of the referral. 18
Interestingly, many community leaders and employers in Lanark County have indicated that they might benefit from an
influx of newcomers to Canada to address skilled trades and workforce shortages.19
17
Statistics Canada and 2011/2012 TOP Report, The Labour Market Group of Renfrew and Lanark
Job Matching, Placement & Incentive Statistical Data, ontrac Employment Resource Services
19
Consultations with employers and community partners by The Labour Market Group of Renfrew and Lanark
18
14
Executive Summary
Immigrant Attraction & Retention (IAR) has been an ongoing focus of the Town of Smiths Falls.
In the Town of Smiths Falls’ Economic Development Statement of Objectives released in October 2009, the need for
immigrant and newcomer attraction was identified in two of the objectives. These were:
8.5 Put People First by Focusing on Talent Retention & Attraction
8.5.1 Tracking post-secondary student pursuits (and recruiting as appropriate) using a database and outreach program;
8.5.2 Develop physician recruitment strategy;
8.5.3 Pursue relationships with community colleges such as apprenticeship programs;
8.5.4 Developed a lifestyle strategy/campaign to attract young families/professionals and retirees (promote existing
community assets and continue to work on adding more.)
8.7 Attract New Residents
to Smiths Falls
8.7.1 Continue to enhance
targeted marketing
campaign;
8.7.2 Continue to enhance
recreational/cultural/social
community assets;
8.7.3 Expand immigrant
attraction web-portal and
focus marketing as result of
monitoring contacts made
through the portal.
Immigration Portal
The Town of Smiths Falls has embarked
on a number of initiatives towards the realization of
these objectives. For instance, in the fall of 2010, major upgrades were
undertaken to the Immigrate to Smiths Falls website, which was developed in 2008 as
a marketing and resource tool to link people from other countries looking to settle in Canada.
15
The redesign project was made possible through a $147,500 grant from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
under the Municipal Immigration Information Online (MIIO) program.
In November 2005, Ontario signed the first ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA) with the federal
government. Through the agreement, which was extended for one year in May 2010, Ontario was provided with funds
to support municipal involvement in the development of the Canadian and Ontario immigration portals. A total of 25
municipalities have been funded since 2005-2006 – currently 21 MIIO sites are live and four are in development 20 - with
Smiths Falls becoming one of the project partners in April 2008.
Among the added features to the redesigned immigratetosmithsfalls.ca website, which was unveiled in February 2011,
were a francophone component, a link to the MLS property listing site and the creation of a Community Pal interactive
mapping feature, which allows easy access to town businesses, roads, trails and other community services. Through
Google translate, information on the site can also be translated from English into French, Chinese (simplified), Filipino,
Greek, Hindu and Spanish.
The following information is available on the immigration portal:
•
Choosing Smiths Falls – Community Profile, Cost of Living, FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), Getting Here,
Housing, Multilingual Fact Sheets (in the languages of Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish,
Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu), News & Media Releases, Success Stories and
Visitor Guide;
•
Living in Smiths Falls – Banking, Businesses, Commuting/Transportation, Faith and Worship, Health Care, Maps,
Parks & Recreation, Service Clubs, Volunteering and Welcome Wagon;
•
Working in Smiths Falls – Bridge Training Program, Employment Services, Hire Immigrants Employer Roadmap,
Hiring Internationally Trained Professionals, Labour Market, Recognition of Foreign Credentials, Small Business
Centre and Working in Canada;
•
Education – Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, Post-Secondary Education, Adult & Continuing Education,
ESL, International Learning, Library, Skills Development and Summer Programs;
•
Settling in Smiths Falls – About the Area, After You Arrive Checklist, Basic Banking, Before You Arrive Checklist,
Canada, Community Connections, Community Newcomer Partnership Program, Cultural Organization, Currency,
Documents, Government, Newcomer Info and Settlement Services.
20
David Woods, Team Leader, OntarioImmigration.ca, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
16
While 1,000 visits a month to a website is considered good internet traffic, the Smiths Falls immigration portal received
more than double that number of visits most months during 2011. In fact, in the month of December, 4,254 visits were
reported with the total number for the year being 32,673. Among the pages that saw the most traffic
were Utilities, Community Events, FAQ, Housing and Cost of Living.
Aside from visits
within Canada, the
immigration portal
saw visitors from 98
countries in the
world in 2011 with
the highest traffic
coming from the
United States with
17,904 visits. Other
countries from which
the website was
accessed at least 100
times were Australia
(600), United
Kingdom (289),
Ukraine (289),
Netherlands (274),
Spain (269), Italy
17
(205), China (184), Germany (146), Romania (144) and France (136).21
The immigration portal, which links directly to the Town’s website at www.smithsfalls.ca and the Economic
Development website at www.advantagesmithsfalls.ca, has been used as a Best Practices model by other MIIO
municipalities, as has the Town’s Community Ambassador Program.
Community Newcomer Partnership Program
The Community Newcomer Partnership Program was established in 2010 with federal and provincial funding received
under COIA. The agreement supports municipalities in attracting newcomers and helping them to settle in their
communities. The Community Newcomer Partnership Program serves to educate immigrants and new residents on the
many services Smiths Falls has to offer. Community partners identified include medical service providers, business
services, churches, employment agencies, industry, retail shops, restaurants, media, real estate professionals, schools
and service clubs.
The Community Newcomer Partnership Program is a natural expansion of the town's efforts in the area of increased
residential attraction. This government-funded program helps to engage the community and local employers on the
benefits and opportunities that newcomers can bring to the workplace.
An important aspect of the initiative is the Community Ambassador Program, which involves training the participants as
ambassadors to promote Smiths Falls as a team. Since the outset of the program, municipal staff has already trained
more than 200 Community Ambassadors and more sessions are planned.
Likewise, as part of the focus on newcomer attraction, the Town of Smiths Falls commenced an intensive promotional
campaign in the fall of 2009 in publications like Newcomer, Canadian Immigrant, Muchmor and Diplomat magazines,
which are oriented towards immigrants. The primary audience has been immigrants who have settled in larger centres
like Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. Town staff have written articles for Muchmor on some of our newcomer success
stories. (See Appendix J page 91.)
In addition to print advertising, there has been an online component to the campaign in Newcomer and Muchmor
magazines via Google advertising targeting the European market. In 2012, over the next six months, there are plans to
run an extensive Google marketing campaign.
21
Running Tide Inc., website developer for Town of Smiths Falls
18
Sister City Agreement with Xiangyang, China
In October 2009, the Town of Smiths Falls entered into a Sister City Agreement with the City of Xiangfan (renamed
Xiangyang on December 2, 2010) in Hubei Province, China. A city of 6.75 million people located in the centre of China,
Xiangyang has rich heritage and cultural significance dating back 2,800 years. The city’s major industries include
automotive, textiles, advanced manufacturing and agriculture.
To further relationships between the two municipalities, Mayor Dennis Staples and Bob Cheetham, then Manager of
Economic Development and the current Director of Economic Development, travelled to Xiangyang in July 2010. During
their 10-day stay, a major agreement was signed with Willis College of Business Health and Technology that will see the
enrolment of students from Xiangyang at the Smiths Falls and Ottawa campuses. The trip also resulted in the negotiating
and signing of six Memorandums of Understanding that focused on education, investment attraction, commerce,
tourism, arts and culture, bio-medicine and opportunities for student exchanges.
The third meeting since the signing of the Sister City Agreement took place in May 2011 when the Town of Smiths Falls
and Willis College played host to a delegation of nine representatives from Xiangyang in Smiths Falls and Ottawa. While
in Smith Falls, the delegation headed by Xiangyang Deputy Mayor Ms. Li Shuyong and Ms. Li Ling, the Deputy Dean of
19
Xiangfan Vocational and Technical College, toured the Willis campus and engaged in discussions related to the pending
arrival of post-secondary students from Xiangyang. Likewise, they met with Mayor Staples and municipal economic
development staff members to further discuss opportunities of mutual economic and cultural interest to both
communities.
In continuing to foster its relationship with its Chinese Sister City, this time with the youth, the Town extended the
welcome mat on February 7 to 11, 2012 for 10 students aged 13 to 15 from Xiangyang. Hosted by local residents,
including members of Smiths Falls Town Council, the teenagers and their chaperones participated in a wide range of
activities from learning how to skate, receiving daily English instruction and taking part in Smiths Falls’ Winter Carnival to
attending Carnival China Spring Gala 2012 presented by the Canada-China Cultural Development Association at the
Brockville Arts Centre. The visitors from Xiangyang also travelled to Ottawa to visit the Chinese Embassy, tour the
Parliament Buildings and attend Winterlude. It is hoped the trip will result in the development of other cultural
exchange opportunities between the two communities.
International Students’ Initiative 2010
With expenditures by international students attending Canadian post-secondary institutions contributing $6.5 billion to
the Canadian economy in 200822, the Town of Smiths Falls endorsed a proposal in 2010 to the Valley Heartland
Community Futures Development Corporation by the Rideau Roundtable for an international students’ initiative.
A collaboration of various groups, including the Town of Smiths Falls and Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association,
International Students’ Initiative (ISI) 2010 was aimed at introducing international students from colleges and
universities in Ottawa and Kingston to the ecology, geology and history of the Rideau Heritage Route, as well as
economic development opportunities in the hosting town.
The one-day excursions during the fall term saw students hike along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
They also toured the Rideau Canal Museum, viewed a documentary on the building of the Rideau Canal and paddled a
portion of the canal through the Swale to Poonamalie Lock in a Voyageur canoe.
22
Roslyn Kunin & Associates Inc., Economic Impact of International Education in Canada Report, July 2009
20
One hundred and twenty students from Algonquin College, Carleton University and University of Ottawa in Ottawa and
St. Lawrence College in Kingston participated in ISI 2010. The nationalities of those taking part were quite diverse with
India, Korea, Nigeria, Italy and Mexico being among the many countries represented. 23
While the pilot project was only one year in length, the lessons learned from the initiative have been shared with other
groups and agencies.
International Students at SFDCI
In the fall of 2010, a delegation from the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) travelled to Zhengzhou, China
with the trip culminating in the signing of a sister school board agreement between the UCDSB and Zhengzhou
Municipal Education Bureau (MEB).
As part of the agreement to enhance the educational and cultural exchange between the two and share education
resources, the UCDSB will organize summer and winter camps for students at Zhenghou MEB and, accordingly, students
from the UCDSB will be invited to Zhengzhou for a cultural exchange.
Likewise, under the agreement, students from Zhengzhou No. 9 High School will have the opportunity to study the
Ontario Grade 10 curriculum in China and then come to Canada to complete Grade 11 and 12 within the UCDSB. Upon
graduating, the students are granted an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, as well as one from their homeland.
Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI) is one of six high schools within the UCDSB that can accept international
students with two more schools expected to be added for the 2012-2013 school year. Currently, there are 113 students
attending “hub schools” like SFDCI for this academic year and approximately 100 short-term students staying between
two and four weeks through cultural exchanges.
The target for the 2012-2013 school year is 130 full-time students and 100 short-term students. Between 20 and 24 of
these international students are expected to attend SFDCI. 24
At present, there are approximately a dozen international students from China, Taiwan and Germany in the student
body at SFDCI. Two -- one from Taiwan and one from Germany -- started as exchange program students at the school
and, since that time, have obtained Permanent Resident status.25
23
24
25
Peter Au, Rideau Roundtable
Carmen Cousineau, Executive Director, Upper Canada Leger Centre for Education and Training
Interview with Gord Cooke, principal, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, November 22, 2011
21
2011-2013 Economic Development Action Plan
Immigration attraction and retention are ongoing priorities of the Town of Smiths Falls, as evidenced by the 2011-2013
Economic Development Plan entitled “Turning Point: An Agenda for Action.”
Among the recommendations in the document written by Bob Cheetham, the town’s Director of Economic Development
and endorsed by Town Council are:
•
Approve economic development staff travel and related expenses to Xiangyang, China and Cannes (MIPIM)
France in 2011 to further develop investment attraction and build on Sister City collaborative interests;
•
That Smiths Falls Council ensure that arts and culture is coordinated with, and integrated into, all the Town’s
other plans, policies, developments, activities and initiatives, including:
I.
Economic growth strategies;
II.
Immigration strategies;
III.
Recreational facilities;
IV.
Tourism promotion;
V.
Smiths Falls’ historical and heritage asset; and
VI.
Council’s future visions for the community;
•
That Municipal Council continue to work toward building trust and confidence that fosters strong relationships
between the Town of Smiths Falls and its Sister City of Xiangyang, China and that travel budget be allocated for
building on existing and new potential investment opportunities between the two communities;
•
That Council continue to place a priority on immigrant and newcomer services in the community and support
ongoing development of programs and services that generate residential and business attraction in the
community.
In keeping with one of the recommendations, this will be the second year that the Town of Smiths Falls has participated
in Ontario’s Trade Booth at MIPIM. Considered the world’s foremost real estate trade show, the show is held in Cannes,
France in March with Mayor Dennis Staples and Bob Cheetham slated to be in attendance. Since MIPIM brings together
the most influential real estate professionals in the world to explore major international property development projects,
connect with potential partners and strike deals over four intensive days, the Town views the event as an opportunity to
develop contacts with investors from around the globe as it showcases investment opportunities available in the
community, including a recently vacated industrial complex.
22
Municipal Cultural Planner
Another recommendation in the Economic Action Plan that has been acted
upon relates to seeking senior government program funds to secure the
services of a contractual cultural planner. Through a grant from the Creative
Communities Prosperity Fund, a municipal cultural planner was hired in
December 2011. As part of the Creative Economy, the cultural planner is
being tasked during the one-year contract to formally establish the place of
arts, culture and heritage in Smiths Falls by creating and mapping the
town’s strategy and road map for culture. The cultural plan will
incorporate everything that residents of Smiths Falls define and cherish as
cultural. Considered the fourth pillar of economic sustainability, arts and
culture has a real and proven impact on the society, the economy and
the quality of life experienced by its citizens. Additionally, culture can
influence the choice of where new immigrants wish to call “home”.26
Proposal for Serenity Park
To help newcomers to Canada, as well as other residents of Smiths Falls feel at home, municipal planning staff has
drafted a proposal for a Serenity Park on part of the grounds of the former Memorial Community Centre. Described as
“An Expose of the Smiths Falls Cultural Community”, the park has been designed to shed light on the cultural talent of
Smiths Falls by acting as an outdoor gallery. This will be achieved through the creation of a keystone piece placed at the
gateway. The path connecting
the art piece and the water
fountain has been enlarged in
the design to allow for easels
or semi-permanent displays
to be filled by local artists.
The adjacent green space
has purposely been left
vacant to allow for use of
the park as a venue for
festivals and shows.
The proposed reflexology track is designed to contribute to alternative health initiatives, as well as connecting to the
town’s China-centric economic development initiatives. This will also be reflected in the use of northern China plant
species. 27
26
27
Lynne Clifford-Ward, Municipal Cultural Planner, Town of Smiths Falls
Nicole McKernan, Planning Assistant, Town of Smiths Falls
23
Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association
A group that has been pivotal in promoting the Chinese culture locally
and in assisting Chinese newcomers who settle in the Smiths Falls area is
the Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association (CCHCA).
Founded in 1979 and becoming a registered charity in 1980, the CCHCA
was first formed to help workers and their families in the Chinese
restaurant sector by offering English classes and naturalization courses
in which eight Chinese immigrants became Canadians citizens. The
organization has been organizing Chinese New Year celebrations in
Smiths Falls since the mid-1980s, with the participation of the Chinese
Embassy, town officials, local Chinese and other residents, exchange
students, etc.
In recent years, CCHCA has presented a Cultural Night at the Rideau
Canal Museum in Smiths Falls with the evening featuring a Chinese
Dinner and cultural presentation in collaboration with the Chinese
Embassy. The Association has also participated in the annual Canal,
Railway and Chocolate Festival (now renamed Canal, Railway and Music
Festival) with a cultural tent, showcasing the 40 UNESCO World Heritage
Sites of China to raise the profile of these global treasures and raise
awareness of the Rideau Canal – Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage
Site -- as well as other cultural activities for adults and children, including a traditional Chinese medicine demonstration
using tongue and pulse diagnostics.
CCHCA also organized and presented a two-day intense language and cultural workshop for people scheduled to visit
China in April 2010. Other cultural activities included presenting a photographic exhibition of “Beautiful China” in the
Rideau Canal Museum, as well as the Smiths Falls Town Hall, in July 2010.
Filipino Choir
Members of Smiths Falls' growing Filipino
community have formed a choir, which sings on a
regular basis at St. Francis de Sales Roman
Catholic Church. The choir was profiled recently
in our local newspaper the EMC.
(See Appendix P page 107.)
24
Culture Days
In celebration of the community's rich culture,
Smiths Falls was among more than 700
communities across Canada that took part in
Culture Days on September 30th, October 1st and
2nd, 2011. Culture Days is a collaborative,
grassroots Canada-wide movement to raise the
awareness, accessibility, participation and
engagement of all Canadians in the arts and
cultural life of their communities.
The local celebrations were coordinated by the Smiths Falls and District Arts and Culture Council. (The establishment of
the arts and culture council in April 2011 was another recommendation made in the 2011-2013 Economic Development
Action Plan.)
Smiths Falls Culture Days featured free hands-on, interactive activities and "behind the scenes" experiences where
participants were able to get up close and discover the world of art and culture in the local community. Planning for this
year's event is already underway.
Settlement Services
Settlement services are vital for newcomers to Canada. Through a partnership agreement with the Town of Smiths Falls,
TR Leger Immigrant Services, which is part of the Upper Canada District School Board, provides services to newcomers
who reside within the catchment area of the Smiths Falls LIP Project.
Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), TR Leger Immigrant Services offers the following services:
•
Settlement services;
•
Community Connections (formerly Host Program);
•
Job search workshops;
•
Referral services;
•
Computer/internet/phone/fax access;
•
Community resources;
•
Information on Canadian citizenship;
•
DVDs and multilingual information for newcomers to Canada.
25
As part of a working referral protocol established between the Town of Smiths Falls and TR Leger Immigrant Services in
June 2011, T R Leger Immigrant Services agreed to refer newcomers to Canada to the Town of Smiths Falls municipal
offices/staff and the Town of Smiths Falls agreed to refer clients in need of settlement services to TR Leger Immigrant
Services/staff. Under the agreement, both organizations track referrals and exchange non-confidential information
related to immigration and settlement in Smiths Falls. The confidentiality of clients is respected regarding any exchange
of information with the exchange only taking place after referral forms between the two parties have been signed by the
clients.
Since June 2011, TR Leger Immigrant Services has provided services to 17 newcomers from the Smiths Falls area. The
countries of origin of those served were China, India, Philippines, Taiwan, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom,
United States and Norway.28
The Town of Smiths Falls also has a trained settlement worker
who works cohesively with TR Leger Immigrant Services and
mutually shares information,
as identified in a letter of
understanding.
ESL classes
An important service need for
non-English speaking
newcomers to a community is
English classes (ESL) – English as a
Second Language. Since the fall of
2010, the Town of Smiths Falls has
been offering this service through
a partnership with TR Leger School
of Adult, Alternative and Continuing
Education of the Upper Canada
District School Board (UCDSB).
What started as a pilot project in November 2010 is still ongoing with students attending classes at the Smiths Falls
Public Library on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All classes are free and are
funded through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
28
Julie Case, caseworker for Smiths Falls area, TR Leger Immigrant Services
26
“I was one of the students in the first ESL-class in Smiths Falls in the 2010/2011 school season.
Although I knew a bit of the English language (just because it is a must to have at least four years
of English and ending up with a good mark for it to get your diploma from high school in The
Netherlands, my homeland.) I thought it was not a bad idea if I could "dig it up a bit" and practise
in writing English and study a bit more English grammar. The last thing is still difficult for me!!
We had a nice amount of students in class, coming from several countries. That also made the level
of English different for every student. We were happy to have an incredible great teacher during that
season. She was working very hard to teach each of us English on our own level, which meant for her
she had to work out several programs.
I think that having the possibility to enter an ESL class may benefit a lot of people coming from
other non-English speaking-countries of the world. Learning English by a teacher who can only talk
English makes everyone have to work to make sure you know what is going on, as well for students
as the teacher! It is also a great way to learn about different cultures!
For the future of our "newcomers" in Canada, ESL is a really good and an important tool to let
them integrate better and faster in a wonderful county like Canada!”
Jackie van der Veen-Oving, A former student of Smiths Falls first ESL-class (and a person who is
happy to live in wonderful Ontario)
In the first year of the class, there were seven students from China, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Guatemala and they
attended for the entire school year. Two other students from Lebanon and Germany briefly attended the class but were
unable to continue – one because of distance and the other possibly because of employment issues.
Three of last year’s students are back again this year to further improve their skills in writing, speaking and reading
English under the instruction once again of Julie Case. Joining them as regular attendees are four new students from
China, India, the Philippines and Laos. Another student from the Philippines received instruction for a month to help him
prepare for testing he had to undergo. One other Filipino student is a regular but can only attend classes once a week on
her day off work. Unable to attend class because of his work schedule, another student will be studying ESL via the LINC
home study program.
The goal of the classes is to improve students’ skills levels, as measured according to the Canadian Language
Benchmarks levels. Interestingly, only three of the students who have attended the ESL classes over the past two years
are not employed full time.29
29
Julie Case, ESL instructor, TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education
27
After School ESL
In addition to the ESL program at the library for newcomers, an After School ESL program runs on Tuesday and Thursday
afternoons from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. Aimed at international students whose first
language is neither English nor French, the sessions delivered by TR Leger are geared to:
•
Increasing English speaking and listening skills;
•
Supporting cultural transition to Canadian/Ontario school/life context;
•
Boosting English language skills to support daytime school academic achievement.
The after school program at SFDCI attracts six to nine international students.
Chimo Chinese Club
In the fall of 2010, 10 elementary school students in the Smiths Falls area had the opportunity to play and learn
Mandarin Chinese through the Chimo Chinese Club at Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls.
Meeting on Wednesday evenings, the club placed emphasis on the development of Mandarin conversational skills and
cultural studies. It was specially designed for students to play and learn in a friendly, relaxed and interesting atmosphere
through games, role playing and hands-on activities.
Under the instruction of Ming Shan Gu, members of the club participated in cultural arts and craft making hands-on
activities such as Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting, paper folding, ink painting and drawing.
The children were also introduced to Chinese history and geography, celebrating traditional Chinese holidays like the
Lantern Festival, Spring Festival and Moon Festival.
During the last
session, the
students prepared
and tasted
dumplings, a
traditional Chinese
food for the
Chinese Spring
Festival.
The club was open
to students in
Grades 4 to 8.
28
Smiths Falls Public Library
Providing services to newcomers is a component of the Strategic Plan of
the Smiths Falls Public Library. Since the only non-English materials
available at the Smiths Falls site are in the French language, as part of the
services that are offered to newcomers, members can do an inter-library
loan of multi-lingual materials from other branches. Likewise, for those
who want to type Chinese characters on the computers, that feature has
been installed. Approximately, five per cent of the users of the Smiths Falls
library are newcomers. 30
Global Experience @ Work project
On the business side, Smiths Falls is one of 16 communities that have participated in Global Experience @ Work
(GE@W), an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with support and funding from the Government of Canada
and the Government of Ontario. Hosted by the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, the Smiths Falls Foreign
Trained Professional (FTP) Intercultural Resource Project was focused on making employers aware of resources available
to hire and FTPs and skilled workers.
Three workshops were offered through GE@W. They ranged from a full-day session on October 28, 2010 by Syd Gravel
in which he outlined how to effectively recruit, select and integrate immigrant professionals into a business
organization, including developing an Action Plan, to one-hour luncheon and breakfast meetings by Jeet Athukorale in
December 2010 and February 2011. One of the latter sessions was oriented towards increasing awareness of cultural
differences and practices in the workplace when hiring FTPs and skilled workers while the other provided an overview of
resources available in the Ottawa region.
Through this initiative, 51 employers locally derived direct benefits and 25 indirectly.
“This program enabled our business to tap into some of the talent not previously available to us,” said one participant.
“We were able to connect with services that provide the talent we need in our business. Smiths Falls is showing they are
taking a lead in immigration and learning about the talent available to help us go forward economically.” 31
In addition to the increased awareness, the GE@W project was found to be a powerful educational tool, in terms of
enabling participants to learn about the challenges and barriers faced by FTPs in their efforts to integrate into the
workforce. As well, the project served as an effective tool in transferring information to employers and community
30
31
Interview with Karen Schecter, Head Librarian, Smiths Falls Public Library, November 24, 2011
Testimonial, Global Experience @ Work Final Report, Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, June 1, 2011
29
services organizations about the procedures and practices they can make to enable FTPs to integrate into the workforce
with less challenges and barriers. 32
Ongoing funding to support immigration and newcomer attraction initiatives
Through provincial and federal government funding initiatives, the Town of Smiths Falls’ Economic Development
Department has received over $724,000 since 2008 to support its immigration and newcomer attraction services. (See
Appendix D page 80.) The most recent project received approval for $81,290 in funding from the MIIO Partnership
Project of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to create a Lanark County Immigration Portal (LCIP) using the
existing framework on the immigratetosmithsfalls.ca website.
32
Qualitative Outcomes, Global Experience @ Work Final Report, Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, June 1, 2011
30
Planning Process
The first priority for the Smiths Falls Local
Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project was
the establishment of a partnership council,
which will act as a strategic planning body
that works to coordinate and enhance the
integration of newcomers in the
community.
The response to the call for Expressions
of Interest was good with the Smiths
Falls LIP Council being officially
established on May 16, 2011 when
Smiths Falls Town Council approved the
20 appointments to the newly formed
LIP Council. The council is comprised
of key stakeholder groups from
newcomers to settlement service
providers to members of the
business community. (See full list of
members on Acknowledgments page
4.)
The Terms of Reference for the
LIPC were adopted at a meeting in
June. The vision of the new
Council is “to be a community
that understands, supports and
celebrates diversity; where
newcomers are empowered
through meaningful and long
term connections with
residents and local
organizations.”
31
Likewise, the four Guiding Values of the LIPC, under the Terms of Reference, are:
•
Respect and Open Mindedness: Members believe in the value of the perspectives of all community members,
businesses and organizations. The LIPC will be receptive to and consider all input received, recognizing that the resulting
awareness is fundamental to meeting the objectives of the initiative;
•
Inclusiveness and Collaboration: The successful settlement and integration of newcomers is believed to be the
product of a united community approach. Therefore, the initiative will be open and accessible to all residents and
sectors of the community for input and shared responsibility.
•
Innovation: The LIPC encourages new approaches that will enhance the experience of newcomers settling in the
community; placing priority on strategies and action plans that reflect and respond to the unique local context;
•
Consistency: These values will transcend member’s attitudes and actions while also shaping the initiative as it
evolves. (See full Terms of Reference in Appendix L pages 94-102.)
As part of the Celebration Evening held on June 16 to kick off the project, a focus group session was held. Based on the
feedback at the session, there were four focus areas identified for the project: economic integration, provision and
promotion of settlement and public services, the creation of a welcoming community attitude and environment, and
sustainability of LIP initiatives.
These formed the basis of the four Work Groups that were established over the summer months and met in August.
Along with LIPC members being represented on the Work Groups, an additional 20 members of the community were
also recruited. (See list of 20 members recruited on Acknowledgments page 5.)
The research phase, which started in the fall of 2011, was of critical importance to ensure the recommendations put
forth reflected the local context. In order to build this understanding, LIP staff conducted surveys, focus groups and key
informant interviews. Recommendations being put forth in this report are based on the information gathered during the
research phase. Final deliverables for Phase I of the LIP Project will be submitted to the LIP Council, as well as Smiths
Falls Town Council, for approval.
As a follow-up to this settlement strategy, which is to be implemented over a three year period, an annual action plan
will be developed that addresses local fiscal priorities for that year.
Likewise, on an annual basis, a report will be prepared on the implementation phases that have taken place.
32
Consultation Process
A Community Consultation Plan was developed in conjunction with the Work Groups with the plan being approved at
the September 2011 meeting of the Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC).
The topics, which are listed in the plan, range from statistics on the number of newcomers in the Smiths Falls area and
their first languages to the settlement and public services that are available to them to the challenges and opportunities
for attracting newcomer entrepreneurs and investors. Information was also gathered on how welcoming newcomers
perceive Smiths Falls to be, how supportive Smiths Falls’ residents are of immigration and what initiatives are needed to
help develop a more welcoming attitude in the town.
Community consultations consisted of:
1.
Focus Groups
•
Celebration Evening to kick off the LIP Project – Thursday, June 16, 2011;
•
Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association – Monday, October 17, 2011;
•
ESL class at Smiths Falls Public Library – Wednesday, November 23, 2011;
•
Employers – Monday, December 12, 2011;
•
Filipino Choir – Tuesday, December 20, 2011
•
International Students at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute – Thursday, December 22, 2011.
2.
Key Informant Interviews – A total of 64 interviews were conducted with LIPC members, newcomers, employers
and service providers. (See list of those interviewed on Appendix F pages 83-84.)
3.
Surveys
•
Newcomer Information Surveys – 47 surveys were completed during key informant interviews and focus groups,
and an additional 10 were done online through a survey tool developed on the Town’s immigration portal,
www.immigratetosmithsfalls.ca;
•
Partner Agency Surveys – A total of 36 surveys were completed.
•
Employer Information Form – Eighteen forms were completed.
•
Employer Challenge Form – Six were completed.
•
Questionnaire for Canada World Youth participants -- During August 2011, connections were made with the
Perth-Honduras Canada World Youth exchange group as two of the participants did volunteer work placements
in Smiths Fall at the Smiths Falls & District Centre for Youth and REAL Deal Store operated by the Rideau
Environmental Action League. With the help of the program coordinator, the participants were presented with
three questions about their experience in the area and asked to email brief responses to the LIP project staff.
Sixteen responses were received.
33
4.
SCOT Analysis from June 16th Focus Group
Approximately 60 people participated in the Celebration Evening discussion sessions on June 16. A broad range of
stakeholders were present, including representatives from the newcomer community, business sector, public services
and local government.
Participants were assigned to one of four discussion groups, each led by an LIPC staff or member. Discussion sessions
were an hour long with responses being recorded in point form on a flip chart by the group facilitator with more
detailed notes being taken by an assigned recorder.
To identify priorities, participants were asked to place a sticker on the flip chart paper next to the three points they
perceived to be of greatest importance. The themes which received the most votes were later shared with the larger
group. (The italicized numbers following the titles indicate the approximate number of votes received when participants
were asked to indicate “Which of the themes identified should the LIPC focus on?”)
3.1 Strengths
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What are Smiths Falls’ strengths regarding the
settlement and integration of newcomers?”
A. Cost of Living (14): Respondents felt that Smiths Falls offers a cost of living, including purchase prices for residential
units, which is lower than in city centers and surrounding communities.
B. Settlement Services (10): The various settlement services that are currently available in Smiths Falls, including ESL
classes, welcome wagon and newcomer ambassador training, were identified as assets.
C. Public Infrastructure: Participants highlighted Smiths Falls’ public infrastructure inherent to its role as a service center
as a strength. Examples most commonly cited included municipal services, the hospital and educational institutes.
i.
Educational Institutes (9): Relative to its size, Smiths Falls was felt to have good educational opportunities
including several high schools and post-secondary institutes.
D. Location (7): Smiths Falls’ proximity to larger city centers was identified as beneficial as it increases the possibilities
for employment and connections with cultural communities available to newcomers.
E. Community Atmosphere (6): Respondents perceive Smiths Falls to be a safe and friendly community, characteristics
sought by newcomers.
F. Municipal Leadership (2): The strong and supportive leadership provided by Smiths Falls Town Council and Staff was
felt to be a critical asset in successful newcomer settlement.
G. Natural Amenities (1): Respondents identified the natural environment including green space and the Rideau Canal as
a strength for Smiths Falls.
34
H. Investment Opportunities: The available business and investment possibilities were recognized as advantages for
facilitating the economic integration of newcomers.
“As the president of Willis College –
Smiths Falls campus and having an
instrumental role in a Sister-City
Agreement between the Town of Smiths
Falls, Ontario, Canada and City of
Xiangfan, Hubei Province, China, it is a
privilege to be serving on the Smiths
Falls LIP council. The council is made
up of dynamic, committed and caring
individuals who not only bring their
expertise but also are proud Smiths
Fallsians.
This dynamic mixture made the Smiths Falls LIP program unique and exemplary. I look forward to
continue working with the LIP program and contributing to the council as the LIP program is vital to
immigration in Smiths Falls.”
Rima Aristocrat, President of Willis College and LIPC member
3.2 Challenges
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What are Smiths Falls’ challenges regarding the
settlement and integration of newcomers?”
A. Economic Integration (32): Participants named a shortage of job opportunities as the primary barrier for newcomers.
B. Awareness about Services (12): Feedback indicated that improvements are needed to better communicate
information to newcomers regarding settlement services, thereby increasing local awareness of their availability.
C. Transportation (10): Respondents felt current transportation services are neither frequent nor affordable enough to
facilitate newcomers capitalizing on the aforementioned benefits offered by nearby city centers.
D. Health Care Professionals (9): The shortage of local health care professionals (most notably doctors) was identified as
a challenge for newcomers.
35
E. Social Integration of Newcomers (6): Participants cited limited opportunities to meet and develop relationships with
other residents as a hindrance to newcomer retention.
F. Understanding of Diversity (3): Despite comments indicating that Smiths Falls is becoming more accepting of new
residents, others highlighted the need for a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity to be a welcoming
community.
G. Critical Mass of Newcomers: Respondents cited the relatively small size of the Smiths Falls newcomer community as a
barrier to providing an array of cultural and religious opportunities.
H. Residential Rental Opportunities: Rental housing was identified as a limitation to newcomer settlement in Smiths Falls
for a number of reasons including a shortage of affordable units, reference requirements and negative experiences with
landlords.
I. Age Specific Initiatives: Participants felt a challenge in Smiths Falls is the shortage of opportunities for demographic
cohorts outside the working age group including recreational activities for youth and affordable senior’s homes. (See
complete report in Appendix B page 51-64.)
3.3 Opportunities
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What opportunities exist for making Smiths Falls
more welcoming?”
A. Internet Communication: The internet, and more specifically the Smiths Falls Immigration Portal, was identified as an
effective medium for centralizing and distributing information to newcomers and was highlighted as a resource to build
upon.
B. Improvements to Transportation: The need for improvement to transportation services is recognized within the
community and initiatives are underway to address it. For reasons listed above, this would be a great opportunity for
newcomers in the community.
C. Secondary Migration: Newcomers who have settled in city centers and metropolitan areas represent a large and
promising target market that Smiths Falls could capitalize on.
3.4 Threats
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What threats could hinder the community’s
ability to be welcoming?”
A. Competition: Immigration attraction and retention is becoming an increasingly common component of community
development, creating competition for newcomers and increasing the possibility of newcomers relocating after settling
in Smiths Falls.
36
B. Retention: Outmigration of both youth and newcomers to city centers was identified as a threat for small towns and
rural areas looking to settle newcomers.
C. Professional Credential Recognition: A threat relative to all Canadian communities is restrictions with credential
recognition for internationally trained professionals.
4.0 Focus Areas
Based on the themes present throughout the S.C.O.T. analysis, the LIPC identified the following four (4) focus areas.
1. Economic Integration encompasses all factors which affect a newcomer’s ability to participate economically in the
community, including:
•
Training and credential recognition
•
Job prospects
•
Entrepreneurial and investment opportunities
2. A Supportive Social Environment is the product of two distinct but related focuses:
•
Social integration of newcomers with local cultural networks and residents at large
•
Community wide understanding and appreciation for diversity
3. Provision and Promotion of Services, specifically regarding:
•
Settlement services which are targeted specifically to newcomers
•
Public services that apply to all who relocate to the community including education, housing and health care.
Raising newcomer’s awareness regarding the availability of these services is of equal priority.
4. Developing the Sustainability of the LIPC in order to ensure the initiative’s long term viability.
37
Action Plan
During the Community Consultation process of the LIP Project, challenges were identified in each of the four focus areas.
The following recommendations have been made on how to address these gaps/needs during the implementation
phase of the project:
Supportive Social Environment
Challenge: Social integration of newcomers – Limited opportunities for them to meet and develop relationships with
other residents.
Goal: Promote the integration of newcomers, celebrate their culture and encourage newcomers to become part of the
community, embracing both their culture and Canadian culture.
Action Strategy
Responsibility
Timeline
Provide a Welcome Package to
newcomers, complete with a
letter of welcome from the
Mayor, Town pin, Chamber of
Commerce directory of
businesses and services,
Smiths Falls street map,
promotional coupons from
local businesses, etc.
Give guidance in the
establishment of a
newcomers’ group to share
food, culture and socialization,
possibly having a different
church/service club host a
dinner each month
Promote cultural diversity and
educate the community
through LIP staff doing
presentations on the project
to schools, churches, service
clubs and other community
groups. Also organize
workshops, ie Volunteer
Bureau of Leeds and Grenville
promoting its Supported New
Canadian Youth Volunteer
Program through facilitating a
workshop on Creating
Welcoming Environments for
Volunteers from Diverse
Cultural and Language
Backgrounds
Improve diversity on Town of
Smiths Falls committees
Modelling what has been
Staff with input from LIP
Council and Welcome Wagon
April 2012-September 2012
Staff, Service Clubs and
Churches
April, 2012 and ongoing
LIP Council and Staff
April 2012 and ongoing
April 2012-April 2013
LIP Council and cultural
April 2012-September 2012
38
done in Brockville and
Kingston, organize a
Multicultural Festival
showcasing the community’s
rich culture, in terms of food,
entertainment and arts and
crafts. A highly successful
Multicultural Festival was
hosted by the Town of Smiths
Falls in the 1980s. At the
event, representatives from
16 Embassies presented food,
music and dance from their
respective countries. Because
of limited time to organize in
2012, consideration should be
given to combining this year’s
event with Culture Days on
September 28-30
Develop a mentoring program
for youth. Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Lanark County has
indicated an interest in this
regard
Promote the different cultures
that are represented in Smiths
Falls’ newcomer population
through a monthly column in
the community newspaper
Organize recreational
activities for newcomers using
local facilities
groups
and annually
Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Lanark County
Staff to contact the EMC
May 2012 and ongoing
Smiths Falls & District Centre
for Youth, schools,
recreational groups and
service clubs
Fall 2012 and ongoing
39
Provision and Promotion of Services
Challenge: Shortage of local health care professionals, most notably family physicians. Currently, there are only four
family physicians in Smiths Falls, as compared to 16 in the neighbouring community of Perth. There is a need for four
additional doctors and upwards of eight if a turnkey facility can be established in the community.33 All appointments are
filled, sometimes double booked and triple booked in the Community Primary Health Care (CPHC) Mobile Unit, which
sets up outside the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre an average of three or four days each month. 34
Goal: To ensure timely health care for all residents, including newcomers, within the local community.
Action Strategy
Support Town of Smiths Falls
in its physician attraction
efforts
Increase newcomer
awareness of the services
available from the Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District
Health Unit and Smiths Falls
Community Health Centre,
and that the center doesn’t
require someone to have an
Ontario OHIP card to see a
nurse practitioner or doctor.
(NOTE: If the nurse
practitioner or doctor orders
blood work or any other test,
the client would have to have
OHIP coverage to pay for
these additional expenses.)
Responsibility
LIP staff and LIP Council
Timeline
LIP Council, Staff and Partner
Agencies
Challenge: Lack of public transportation services.
Goal: To improve transportation services within the community.
Action Strategy
Organize a weekly bus shuttle
to various businesses at a
nominal fee. Some businesses
indicated during the
Community Consultation
process they might be
interested in subsidizing part
of the cost of the shuttle
33
Responsibility
Staff with input from business
community and local
transportation provider
Timeline
2012 and ongoing
Bob Cheetham, Director of Economic Development, Town of Smiths Falls and Chair of Smiths Falls Physician Recruitment Task
Force
34
Smiths Falls stats for Mobile Unit, Community Primary Health Care
40
Challenge: A shortage of affordable rental housing, reference requirements and negative experiences with landlords.
Goal: To locate suitable housing and increase availability of affordable housing.
Action Strategy
Responsibility
Promote the Housing page on Staff
the immigratetosmiths.ca
website to newcomers and
create a link from the Rental
Database on the smithsfalls.ca
website to the immigration
portal
Refer newcomers to Lanark
Staff and Lanark County Social
County Social Housing to see if Housing
they qualify for housing
Timeline
Challenge: Sparse selection of ethnic foods in local grocery stores.
Goal: To offer more ethnic food choices for newcomers so that they don’t have to travel to supermarkets in larger urban
areas like Ottawa to meet their dietary needs.
Action Strategy
Approach local grocery stores
and food markets to see if
they would be willing to
expand their selection of
European and Asian foods.
One grocer appeared to be
receptive to the idea when
asked during the Community
Consultation process.
Responsibility
Staff and local grocers
Timeline
2012 and ongoing
Challenge: Lack of awareness by newcomers of settlement and other services available in the community.
Goal: To better communicate information to newcomers regarding services, thereby increasing local awareness of their
availability.
Action Strategy
Develop a Newcomer Guide
listing the many services that
are available to newcomers in
the community from
settlement services like ESL
classes to educational, health
care, recreational,
employment services, etc.
Responsibility
Staff with input from LIP
Council and LIP Projects in
Leeds-Grenville and RenfrewLanark
Timeline
April 2012-November 2012
41
Guide is to be translated into
the languages most commonly
spoken by recent newcomers
to Smiths Falls who are nonEnglish speaking – French,
Chinese (Mandarin and
Cantonese), Tagalog, and
Spanish
Promote “one-stop shop”
approach by utilizing the
Economic Development
Department as a linkage to
Newcomer Settlement
Services
Enhance knowledge of
immigration and settlement
delivery amongst LIP Staff and
Council through training and
workshops
Develop a list of potential
translators in the community
and establish a resource base
for use by service providers
who require a translator
Create a monthly virtual
newsletter for newcomers to
keep them up-to-date on
events happening in the
community, any new services
being offered, etc. Newsletter
to be distributed to all service
providers
Create links between
immigratetosmithsfalls.ca
website and websites of
service providers. TR Leger
Immigrant Services recently
added the Immigration Portal
as a link to its website
Continue to promote LIP
Project and newcomer success
stories through media
releases. Project has already
received some very positive
media coverage. (See
Appendices.)
Compile an inventory of
potential host families for
international students coming
to study at Smiths Falls District
Collegiate Institute in 20122013 school year and beyond
Relocation of Economic
Development Office will take
place in 2012, thus making the
Department more visible and
easily accessible to
newcomers
Economic Development Staff
and LIP Council
March 2012-October 2013
LIP Council develops content
in cooperation with Economic
Development Staff
June 2012 and ongoing
Staff and service providers
Staff and media
Staff
April 2012-June 2012
April 2012-March 2013
42
Economic Integration
Challenge: Difficulties encountered by newcomers in finding employment due to language barriers and credentials not
being recognized in Canada.
Goal: Newcomers will have a more positive experience in their job search in Canada.
Action Strategy
Work together with other LIPs
to lobby the provincial
government for a communitynominated or business
immigration class of
immigration through the
Provincial Nominee Program
Establish a Career Mentor
Program, similar to what is
offered by Ottawa Community
Immigration Services
Organization, that helps to
integrate internationally
trained professionals into the
community by linking the
newcomers to other
professionals in the
community on a volunteer
basis. The mentorship often
results in a job offer
Encourage newcomers who
are not proficient in English
and wanting to improve their
language skills to attend the
ESL classes being offered by
TR Leger School of Adult,
Alternative & Continuing
Education at the Smiths Falls
Public Library
Follow the lead of LIP
communities like North Bay
and Timmins that have set up
a human resources online
database that connects
employers and newcomers.
(North Bay LIP has indicated
its willingness to do a
workshop for Smiths Falls and
neighbouring LIP projects on
HR North.)
Increase awareness of the
federal government's Working
in Canada page, which can be
found on the Town's
Responsibility
LIP Staff and Staff in
neighboring LIP Projects such
as Leeds-Grenville, RenfrewLanark and Eastern Counties
on this issue
Timeline
Staff with input from local
employment service agencies
and service providers
Staff and service providers
Staff with input from Chamber
of Commerce and North Bay
LIP Project
Host workshop in June 2012
and proceed with
development of database in
late 2012 and early 2013
Staff
May 2012
43
immigration portal, by
organizing an information
session for employment
service providers and
settlement workers. Along
with a detailed labour market
report customized by
occupation and location, the
site features job
opportunities, complete with
skills required and wages
Challenge: Lack of employer engagement in newcomer employment initiatives. Of 248 Employer Information Forms sent
out by the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce to the Chamber membership on behalf of LIP Staff – and
subsequent follow-up by LIP Staff –, only 18 forms were completed and returned.35
Goal: Employers will recognize the benefits of hiring newcomers, in terms of addressing a looming labour shortage in
Canada and providing skilled trades.
Action Strategy
Organize workshops to
educate employers on how
newcomers can enhance the
workplace, as well as the
process involved in recruiting
foreign trained professionals.
As part of the workshops,
highlight local newcomer
success stories
Make employers aware of the
hireimmigrants.ca Roadmap, a
step-by-step interactive guide
with comprehensive
strategies and tools to help
businesses enhance their
human resources planning
and practice, from recruiting
to retaining skilled immigrants
Create an Employer's Guide
utilizing materials available
from Hire Immigrants Ottawa
on how to integrate
immigrants into the
workplace
Educate Employers on cultural
diversity and programs to
benefit Newcomers and
businesses
35
Responsibility
Chamber of Commerce, LIP
Council and LIP Staff
Timeline
September 2012 and ongoing
Staff and Chamber of
Commerce
Staff with input from Hire
Immigrants
September 2012
Chamber of Commerce and
Town of Smiths Falls Staff and
LIP Council
June 2012-March 2013
Response rate for Employer Information Form, 2011-2012
44
Challenge: Attracting foreign entrepreneurs and business investment to the Smiths Falls area, particularly in lieu of the
fact there is a temporary moratorium on new applications under the Federal Entrepreneur Program.
Goal: To build upon the number of entrepreneurial immigrants already in Smiths Falls, as well as international
investment that has taken place here and throughout the region. The Ottawa region attracts 38 per cent of all venture
capital investment in Canada.36
Action Strategy
Target marketing campaigns at
countries such as China, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico,
United Kingdom and United
States where there are Ontario
International Marketing Centres
located within the Canadian
diplomatic missions
Organize a presentation by LIPC
member Yohan Byrde who is
developing a strategy to attract
foreign entrepreneurs through
Choice Hotels and his own
corporation. The approach has
seen a success in Kingston and
Toronto, and now the focus will
be on attracting entrepreneurs to
Smiths Falls.
Based on the growing senior
population in the Smiths Falls area
and plans for additional senior
housing projects such as a
proposed 60 residential rental
units in part of the Gallipeau
Centre, promote the advantages
of providing services to seniors to
perspective newcomer
entrepreneurs and business
investors
Register LIP staff for upcoming
training session in Brockville on
tool kit developed by Community
Immigrant Retention in Rural
Ontario (CIRRO) initiative.
Approaching newcomer attraction
and retention from a community
economic development
perspective, CIRRO offers
strategies and best practices that
can help rural communities
attract and retain newcomers.
36
Responsibility
Staff
Timeline
2012 and ongoing
Staff and Yohan Byrde
Presentation to LIPC in
spring of 2012 and, later in
the year, a presentation to
business groups like the
Chamber of Commerce and
Downtown Business
Association
Economic Development
staff
2012 and beyond
Staff
April 2012
City of Ottawa, Faces of Ottawa: A Snapshot of Immigrant Labour Market Integration Highlights, March 2007
45
Sustainability of the LIP
Challenge: To retain and attract LIP Council members for Phase II and beyond. Three members of the current council
have resigned due to a change in work or a move outside of the Smiths Falls area. Attendance at LIP Council meetings
has also been an ongoing issue for some members because of other commitments.
Goal: To have a LIP Council whose membership supports its vision and is able to make the commitment of time and
effort required.
Action Strategy
Reduce the size of the LIP
Council from the current 19
members (originally 20) to 16.
Likewise, establish subcommittees so that those who
would still like to be involved
in the LIP Project but don't
have the time available to
serve on the Council could
participate at the committee
level
Issue a public Call for
Expressions of Interest for
those interested in Chairing
the LIP Council with the
decision on who should be
appointed to this role to be
voted on by the Council
members. Appointment to be
for a one year term subject to
renewal.
To strengthen the relationship
the LIP Council has with the
organizations, businesses, etc.
being represented on the
Council, have members sign a
statement of commitment
stating that if he/she is no
longer able to continue as a
member, someone else in the
organization will assume that
position
Responsibility
Staff and LIP Council
April 2012
Timeline
April 2012
April 2012
46
Challenge: Limited resources of smaller LIP communities like Smiths Falls, in comparison to their larger urban
counterparts.
Goal: To enhance collaboration between Smiths Falls LIP and LIPs in neighbouring communities.
Action Strategy
Responsibility
To establish regional meetings Staff to liaise with
on a regular basis with
neighbouring LIP Projects
neighbouring LIPs to discuss
common challenges, as well as
areas in which the projects
can work together. An initial
meeting was held in Smiths
Falls on June 28, 2011, in
which staff representatives of
LIP projects in RenfrewLanark, Leeds-Grenville and
Eastern Counties were invited
to attend. Since that time staff
for LIP Projects in Kingston
and Belleville has indicated
their interest in being part of
these sessions.
Collaborate with LeedsStaff
Grenville and Renfrew-Lanark
LIPs on organizing workshops
that are scheduled
alternatively between LeedsGrenville, Smiths Falls and
Lanark County
Timeline
June 2012 and ongoing three
or four times a year
Challenge: Ongoing funding for the LIP Project.
Goal: To make the LIP Project self-sustaining.
Action Strategy
Investigate potential sources
of funding from partner
agencies and others
Responsibility
Timeline
2012 and ongoing
47
Conclusion
When Canadians were recently questioned on their views of citizenship by Environics, the responses were quite positive
in the area of immigration.
Close to nine out of every 10 respondents surveyed were of the opinion that a person born outside of Canada is just as
likely to be a good citizen as someone born in the country in the poll, which was a joint initiative of Environics, the
Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the Maytree Foundation, CBC News and the Royal Bank of Canada. Interestingly, 88
per cent of those who were born outside of Canada expressed their pride in being Canadian, as compared to 81 per cent
of those who were Canadian born.37
These survey results appear to be in line with the views expressed by newcomers interviewed during the Community
Consultation Process for the Smiths Falls LIP Project. Most spoke of how welcoming and helpful people in the
community were, which is what the LIP Project envisioned.
As one newcomer was told by a local bank employee, “Welcome to Canada, eh.” Welcome, indeed!
“The people here are very friendly, very helpful, very outgoing. It is really a great place.”
Vera Lima, newcomer from Brazil
For more information on the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project,
please visit our immigration portal at www.immigratetosmithsfalls.ca, or contact:
Dianne Pinder-Moss
Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Co-ordinator
Town of Smiths Falls
613.283.4124 x 1184
dpindermoss@smithsfalls.ca
Amber Coville
Local Immigration Program (LIP) Assistant
613.283.4124 x 1164
acoville@smithsfalls.ca
Kimberley L. Leach
Acting Manager of Community Development and Tourism
613.283.4124 x 1127
kleach@smithsfalls.ca
37
Environics survey on citizenship involving 2,376 adults conducted between November 18 and December 17, 2011
48
References
Alexander, Craig; Burleton, Derek and Fong, Francis (2012), Knocking Down Barriers Faced By New Immigrants
to Canada: Fitting the Pieces Together, TD Economics
Beshiri, Roland and He, Jiaosheng (2009), Immigrants in Rural Canada: 2006, Rural and Small Town Canada
Analysis Bulletin, Statistics Canada
Cheetham, Bob (2011), Turning Point: An Agenda For Action, 2011-2013 Economic Development Action Plan,
Li, Xue (2007), Portrait of an Integration Process: Difficulties encountered and resources relied on for
newcomers in their first 4 years in Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Lockwood, Glenn J. (1994), Smiths Falls: A Social History of the Men and Women in a Rideau Canal Community,
1794-1994, Motion Creative Printing
Palacio, Nelson Mauricio (2011), Lanark County and Smiths Falls Census Divisions Overview: Demographics and
Immigrant Landings, Research and Evaluation Unit, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Roslyn Kunin & Associates Inc. (2009), Economic Impact of International Education in Canada Report
Sullivan, Nicole (2010), Immigration Attraction and Retention in Ontario's Small Towns and Rural Communities:
Strategies for Success, a major research paper presented to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of
Guelph
Sutton, Ian (2009), Bright lights, small city, Diversity! in the workplace, www.diversityintheworkplace.ca
Wong, Ian, (2009), Attracting Immigrants to Rural Communities, The Monieson Centre, Queen's School of
Business, Queen's University
(2011/2012) TOP Report, The Labour Market of Renfrew and Lanark
(2011) Environics Survey on Citizenship, survey of 2,376 adults conducted between November 18 and
December 17, 2011
(2011 and 2006) Statistics Canada census
(2011), Job Matching, Placement & Incentive Statistical Data, Ontrac Employment Resource Services
(2011), Employer's Guide to Integrating Immigrants into the Workplace, Hire Immigrants Ottawa and Ottawa
Chamber of Commerce
(2011), Global Experience @ Work Final Report, Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce
(2009), Immigrant-Friendly Businesses: Effective Practices for Attracting, Integrating and Retaining Immigrants
in Canadian Workplaces, The Conference Board of Canada
49
(2009) Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 2, Statistics Canada
(2008), Putting out the Welcome Mat: Why Immigration Matters to Ontario Municipalities, Association of
Municipalities of Ontario
(2006), New Canadians – The Untapped Workforce: An Overview of the Immigrant Situation in Calgary and
How You Can Help, Estrega International Inc.
(2006) Census based data, Environics Analytics
50
Appendices
Appendix A.
51
Appendix B.
Local Immigration Partnership Council
CELEBRATION EVENING DISCUSSION SESSION REPORT
Last Updated July 4, 2011
52
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
3
2.0 Methodology
3
3.0 S.C.O.T. Analysis 4
3.1 Strengths 4
3.2 Challenges 5
3.3 Opportunities
3.4 Threats
6
6
4.0 Focus Areas
6
5.0 Conclusion 7
Appendix A: Discussion Session Agenda
8
Appendix B: Complete Discussion Session Notes
9
B.1 Strengths & Opportunities, Challenges & Threats, and Prioritization
B.2 Implementation 12
9
53
Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council
CELEBRATION EVENING DISCUSSION SESSION REPORT
1.0 Introduction
A Celebration Evening was hosted on Thursday June 16, 2011 to officially launch Smiths Falls Local
Immigration Partnership (LIP) program. The event served to build the community’s awareness and excitement
about the initiative. Further to the subject of this report, it also provided a forum for involving stakeholders in
the identification of focus areas for the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC).
The LIPC is a strategic planning body working to facilitate a collaborative and comprehensive approach to
newcomer integration in the community. The first phase of the initiative extends until March 31st, 2012.
During this period, the LIPC will be developing a local settlement strategy and a corresponding
implementation plan, meanwhile gathering the information and feedback necessary to support these
deliverables.
2.0 Methodology
Approximately 60 people participated in the Celebration Evening discussion sessions. A broad range of
stakeholders were present including representatives from the newcomer community, business sector, public
services and local government.
Participants were assigned to one of four discussion groups, each led by an LIPC staff or member. Discussion
sessions were an hour long and followed the agenda available in Appendix A. Responses were recorded in
point form on a flip chart by the group facilitator with more detailed notes being taken by an assigned
recorder.
54
To identify priorities, participants were asked to place a sticker on the flip chart paper next to the three points
they perceived to be of greatest importance. The themes which received the most votes were later shared
with the larger group.
3.0 S.C.O.T. Analysis
The intention of this section is to summarize the main themes identified during the discussion sessions. Please
note that opposing opinions were recorded and that which is presented here reflects what was indicated by
the majority. All feedback however will be taken under consideration as the initiative proceeds. For complete
discussion session notes, please see Appendix B.
The italicized numbers following the titles indicate the approximate number of votes received when
participants were asked to indicate “Which of the themes identified should the LIPC focus on?”
3.1 Strengths
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What are Smiths Falls’ strengths
regarding the settlement and integration of newcomers?”
A. Cost of Living (14): Respondents felt that Smiths Falls offers a cost of living, including purchase prices for
residential units, which is lower than in city centers and surrounding communities.
B. Settlement Services (10): The various settlement services that are currently available in Smiths Falls
including ESL classes, welcome wagon and newcomer ambassador training were identified as assets.
C. Public Infrastructure: Participants highlighted Smiths Falls’ public infrastructure inherent to its role as a
service center as a strength. Examples most commonly cited included municipal services, the hospital and
educational institutes.
i.
Educational Institutes (9): Relative to its size, Smiths Falls was felt to have good educational
opportunities including several high schools and post-secondary institutes.
D. Location (7): Smiths Falls’ proximity to larger city centers was identified as beneficial as it increases the
possibilities for employment and connections with cultural communities available to newcomers.
E. Community Atmosphere (6): Respondents perceive Smiths Falls to be a safe and friendly community,
characteristics sought by newcomers.
F. Municipal Leadership (2): The strong and supportive leadership provided by Smiths Falls Town Council and
Staff was felt to be a critical asset in successful newcomer settlement.
G. Natural Amenities (1): Respondents identified the natural environment including green space and the
Rideau Canal as a strength for Smiths Falls.
55
H. Investment Opportunities: The available business and investment possibilities were recognized as
advantages for facilitating the economic integration of newcomers.
3.2 Challenges
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What are Smiths Falls’ challenges
regarding the settlement and integration of newcomers?”
A. Economic Integration (32): Participants named a shortage of job opportunities as the primary barrier for
newcomers.
B. Awareness about Services (12): Feedback indicated that improvements are needed to better communicate
information to newcomers regarding settlement services, thereby increasing local awareness of their
availability.
C. Transportation (10): Respondents felt current transportation services are neither frequent nor affordable
enough to facilitate newcomers capitalizing on the aforementioned benefits offered by nearby city centers.
D. Health Care Professionals (9): The shortage of local health care professionals (most notably doctors) was
identified as a challenge for newcomers.
E. Social Integration of Newcomers (6): Participants cited limited opportunities to meet and develop
relationships with other residents as a hindrance to newcomer retention.
F. Understanding of Diversity (3): Despite comments indicating that Smiths Falls is becoming more accepting of
new residents, others highlighted the need for a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity to be a
welcoming community.
G. Critical Mass of Newcomers: Respondents cited the relatively small size of the Smiths Falls newcomer
community as a barrier to providing an array of cultural and religious opportunities.
H. Residential Rental Opportunities: Rental housing was identified as a limitation to newcomer settlement in
Smiths Falls for a number of reasons including a shortage of affordable units, reference requirements and
negative experiences with landlords.
I. Age Specific Initiatives: Participants felt a challenge in Smiths Falls is the shortage of opportunities for
demographic cohorts outside the working age group including recreational activities for youth and affordable
senior’s homes.
3.3 Opportunities
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What opportunities exist for making
Smiths Falls more welcoming?”
56
A. Internet Communication: The internet, and more specifically the Smiths Falls Immigration Portal, was
identified as an effective medium for centralizing and distributing information to newcomers and was
highlighted as a resource to build upon.
B. Improvements to Transportation: The need for improvement to transportation services is recognized within
the community and initiatives are underway to address it. For reasons listed above, this would be a great
opportunity for newcomers in the community.
C. Secondary Migration: Newcomers who have settled in city centers and metropolitan areas represent a large
and promising target market that Smiths Falls could capitalize on.
3.4 Threats
The following themes were identified from responses to the question, “What threats could hinder the
community’s ability to be welcoming?”
A. Competition: Immigration attraction and retention is becoming an increasingly common component of
community development, creating competition for newcomers and increasing the possibility of newcomers
relocating after settling in Smiths Falls.
B. Retention: Outmigration of both youth and newcomers to city centers was identified as a threat for small
towns and rural areas looking to settle newcomers.
C. Professional Credential Recognition: A threat relative to all Canadian communities is restrictions with
credential recognition for internationally trained professionals.
4.0 Focus Areas
Based on the themes present throughout the S.C.O.T. analysis, the LIPC identified the following four (4) focus
areas.
1. Economic Integration encompasses all factors which affect a newcomer’s ability to participate economically
in the community, including:
•
Training and credential recognition
•
Job prospects
•
Entrepreneurial and investment opportunities
2. A Supportive Social Environment is the product of two distinct but related focuses:
57
•
Social integration of newcomers with local cultural networks and residents at large
•
Community wide understanding and appreciation for diversity
3. Provision and Promotion of Services, specifically regarding:
•
Settlement services which are targeted specifically to newcomers
•
Public services that apply to all who relocate to the community including education, housing and
health care.
Raising newcomer’s awareness regarding the availability of these services is of equal priority.
4. Developing the Sustainability of the LIPC in order to ensure the initiative’s long term viability.
5.0 Conclusion
Work groups or subcommittees have been established to address each of the focus areas identified. The
Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council is recruiting additional membership for each of these
groups. Those interested should contact:
Nicole Sullivan,
Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator
(613) 283-4124 ext 1164
nsullivan@smithsfalls.ca
or
Dianne Pinder-Moss,
Local Immigration Partnership Administrative Coordinator
(613) 283-4124 ext 1184
A: Discussion Session Agenda
CELEBRATION EVENING
Discussion Session
58
AGENDA
1. Objective and Format
2. Participant Introductions and Expectations
3. Discussion Questions
i.
STRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES: What are Smiths Falls’ strengths regarding the settlement and
integration of newcomers? What opportunities exist for making the community more welcoming?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
ii.
CHALLENGES & THREATS: What are Smiths Falls’ challenges regarding the settlement and integration
of newcomers? What threats could hinder the community’s ability to be welcoming?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
iii.
PRIORITIZATION (By Vote): Which of the themes identified should the LIPC focus on?
a.
____________________________________________________________
b.
____________________________________________________________
c.
____________________________________________________________
iv.
IMPLEMENTATION: How can the community address these priority areas?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
59
__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B: Complete Discussion Session Notes
B.1 Strengths & Opportunities, Challenges & Threats, and Prioritization
The number in parenthesis indicates the approximate number of votes received when participants were asked
to indicate “Which of the themes identified should the LIPC focus on?”
No.
Discussion Topic
Group #1
1
Strengths and Opportunities •
•
(5) Community has a friendly and familiar feeling
•
(4) Educational opportunities and Infrastructure within the community
•
(2) Examining transit, Via rail and buses in the future offering more trips to the city
•
(1) Proximity to cities
o
(1) Facilitates commuting which helps with employment
o
Connections to cultural networks in the city
•
(1) Supportive and helpful Town staff and Council
•
(1)Affordable residential opportunities for relative to larger centers
•
Local newcomers willing to participate in settlement and integration efforts, i.e. LIP program
•
Sense of safety
•
(1) Ambassador Program
•
(1) Affordable
•
(1) Website info accessible
•
(1) Quality Education
•
(1) Access to services- housing, family, education
•
Friendly residents in the community
•
Peaceful environment
•
Group #2
Group#3
Group#4
(6) Settlement services are already available
(3) Availability of language classes
60
•
Support of key leaders/mayor
•
Newspaper sharing positive stories about local newcomers
•
Access to services, including welcome wagon
•
Increasing awareness of LIP
•
Cultural awareness
•
Proximity to Ottawa & gateway given position on the Rideau Canal
•
Increased/improved transportation
•
Accreditation transfer/ acceptance •
•
(3) Education – several schools right in town
•
(3) More affordable housing than Perth or Carleton Place
•
(1) Friendly and approachable leadership
•
(1) Proximity to larger centres
•
Number of accessible services available in community – library, hospital, etc
•
Safe
•
Caring and friendly people
•
Seems to be (more) open community
•
Experienced mayor with a human touch
•
Variety of religious worship spaces (churches) and opportunities
•
Business opportunities for tourism, health services (CCAC)
•
Investment opportunities for land
•
Proximity to water – recreation, allows people to associate
•
Green space – clean air and water
(3) Strategic location
•
Transportation services improving – starting shuttle service on weekends •
atmosphere: (1) schools and (7) hospital/health care
•
(7) Cost of living
•
(2) Affordability
•
(1) Friendliness of the town – welcoming
Small town
61
•
(1) Rideau Canal (heritage site)
•
Convenience – daily resources
•
(1) Lots of culture resources
•
(1) Proximity to the States
•
Willingness of Town to start initiative for immigrants
•
Excellent transportation routes
•
Proximity to markets
•
Excellent municipal services
•
Small town atmosphere that is closer to the newcomers’ atmosphere they are used to
•
Build relationships with immigrants in big cities to bring them to smaller cities
•
Communications through the internet
2
Challenges and Threats
•
(2) Shortage of available health care providers locally
•
(2)Lack of understanding and respect for diversity
•
(1) No health card application centers here (have to travel to major city centers)
•
(1) No retention through relationship building
•
Newcomer credential recognition
•
Residential renting
o
Minimum availability/ vacancy
o
Renting experience (needing references, bad attitudes from landlords)
o
Cost
•
Credential recognition & matching to needs of the community
•
Counseling/ support services for newcomer youth
•
Employment (depending on economic status, ie. entrepreneur)
•
(2) Medical Access
•
(3) Employment and income stability
•
(4) Awareness of Services and visibility of services
•
(8) Employment
62
•
(1) Business Support
•
(1) Housing
•
(1) Transportation
•
(1) Business closures
•
(1) Lack of cultural knowledge
•
Weather
•
Substance abuse
•
Funds for healthcare
•
Social assistance
•
Availability of cultural food
•
Opportunities for youth
•
Lack of places of worship
•
Substance abuse
•
Lack of translation services
•
Elderly – affordability and availability of nursing homes
•
Sex education
•
Attitude
•
Other communities looking at attraction
•
Affordable housing
•
Family ties/homesickness
•
Youth outmigration
•
Nightlife/ social engagement
•
Lack of age specific activity
•
(8) Lack of job opportunities
•
(8) Creating awareness of services available
•
(5) Healthcare – need to attract doctors so hospital not overcrowded
•
(1) Developing social interactions when newcomers work so hard
•
(9) Lack of public transportation- local bus and trips to Ottawa
63
•
Attracting critical mass of immigrants from any group
Younger generation leaving for Toronto/ Montreal and reducing community’s appeal to other younger people
•
(7) Employment opportunities
•
(4) Socioeconomic status- too many residents on assistance
•
(2) Doctor shortage
•
(2) Not enough activities for the youth
•
Rural to urban migration
3
Priority Areas •
•
Friendly, familiar feeling in the community
•
Educational opportunities & infrastructure available within the community
•
Social Integration & peer involvement
•
Availability of language courses and other settlement services
•
Lack of public transportation
•
Lack of job opportunities
•
Making people aware of services available for newcomers
•
Employment
•
Hospitals and health care
•
Cost of Living
Settlement services are available but need to be better promoted
•
Employment
B.2 Implementation
Where time permitted, discussion groups were asked, “How can the community address these priority areas?”
Two of four groups recorded responses which are listed below.
•
Build on/advertise the success of newcomers who have been in the community
o
Publish and Advertise success stories more (related to assets), Ram says having his success story on the
immigration portal actually helps businesses
o
More stories on website
•
Develop and implement an education strategy to increase cultural understanding and awareness,
including exposure through festivals and music, etc.
64
•
Capitalize on and market the unique assets of the community Culture Days
•
Create a temporary shelter where people can stay when they arrive
•
Have a single and visible first point of contact and source for information
•
Offer support services for spouses
•
Increase sport, recreational and entertainment offerings and promotion
•
Increase availability of counselling and settlement services
•
Farm community gardens
•
Facilitate social Integration through host program, peer Involvement, etc.
•
Youth Forum statistics;
•
Host a round table for lower income youths
•
Offer different and expanded post-secondary courses by having a bigger campus
•
Promote self-employment
•
Partner with local businesses to gain job info
•
Collect labour market information
•
Review tax structure
•
Promote economic development in the town to gain investment
•
Improve access to other jobs markets in larger centres, example commuter service
•
Local programming via media
•
Promotions and events to showcase culture
•
Publish newspaper articles in other languages
65
Appendix C.
Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PLAN
66
SMITHS FALLS LOCAL IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL
Community Consultation Plan
Last Updated: September 15, 2011
The Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC) is a strategic planning body working to facilitate a collaborative and
comprehensive approach to newcomer integration in the community. The first phase of the initiative extends until
March 31st, 2012. During this period, the LIPC will be developing a local settlement strategy and a corresponding
implementation plan.
The ‘Community Consultation Plan’ outlines the proposed approach for gathering feedback from stakeholders regarding
the four focus areas of the LIPC:
•
Economic integration of newcomers
•
Provision and promotion of settlement and public services
•
Creation of a welcoming community attitude and environment
•
Sustainability of Local Immigration Partnership initiative
Statistics describing the general demographics and characteristics of the newcomer community will also be collected.
Recommendations included in the final settlement strategy will be based on this information, facilitating the
development of future initiatives that reflect the local context and direct efforts and resources appropriately.
The complete ‘Community Consultation Plan’ is available in Appendix A.
1.0
Consultation Methods
Community specific feedback will be collected from stakeholders primarily using focus groups, key informant interviews
and surveys which are elaborated upon below. This information will be complemented by an environmental
scan/inventory of available services and best practice research including a review of other LIP initiatives.
1.1 Focus Groups
67
Focus groups were identified as the most appropriate method for gathering feedback from previously established or
coordinated networks of newcomers. For example, two groups that will be approached are TR Leger’s English as a
Second Language and the Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association.
An additional public services sector focus group will be conducted to accommodate the large number of potential
representatives from housing, education, health, financial and social services.
1.2 Key Informant Interviews
Key informant interviews will be the primary source of qualitative feedback. They are identified as a method for
consulting with stakeholder groups ranging from newcomers to local employers. It is anticipated that the flexibility
offered by this approach will result in higher participation rates and therefore a more comprehensive reflection of the
current context for newcomer settlement in the community.
1.3 Surveys
To complement the qualitative information gathered through focus groups and key informant interviews, a survey
campaign will be conducted. Separate surveys will be developed for newcomers, partner agencies and local employers
with questions designed to provide numerical data or statistics.
Surveys will be available online as well as distributed to all participants at focus groups and key informant interviews. It
is anticipated that the majority of responses will come from the latter.
2.0
Community Engagement
The ‘Community Consultation Plan’ identifies contacts for each of the stakeholder groups with whom participation will
be arranged directly. The listed contacts are preliminary and will evolve with ongoing recruitment.
LIP project staff expect to conduct the majority of the consultations. However, LIPC members are encouraged to
coordinate with staff to conduct independent consultations with personal or professional contacts. Questions and
templates for documenting feedback will be created and made available to ensure consistency between consultations.
3.0
Implementation and Reporting
68
Implementation of the research and outlined community consultation initiatives will occur in October 2011. LIP project
staff will compile the information gathered into a profile and present it to the LIPC in November 2011.
APPENDIX A: Community Consultation Plan
The following was developed based on discussions had at the August 2011 LIPC work group meetings on economic
integration, provision and promotion of services, supportive social environment and sustainability of the LIP.
A. Economic Integration
No.
Focus Question to be Answered
Forum Contact (s)/Resource(s)
1
General Education and Training:
•
What is the educational attainment of newcomers in Smiths Falls?
•
Are newcomers pursuing further training or education in Smiths Falls? Newcomer Information Form
Newcomer focus group participants and interviewees
Published Statistics
Target Group Profiles from Statistics Canada; Conference Board of Canada; Trends Opportunities Priorities (TOP) Report
from the Labour Market Group of Lanark and Renfrew.
2
General
Status and Field of Employment:
•
What is the employment status of newcomers in Smiths Falls?
•
In what industry are newcomers in Smiths Falls employed?
•
Are newcomers working in their industry of training?
Newcomer Information Form
See above.
See above.
3
Training and Credential Recognition
Process and Policy Changes:
•
What is the role for the LIPC in addressing barriers in foreign credential recognition processes and policies?
•
What is the best approach for doing so?
Key Informant Interviews
Credential Recognition
69
Citizenship and Immigration Canada; LASI World Skills; Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship; Smiths Falls Physician
Recruitment Task Force.
Review of Other LIPs
Projects in approximately 40 other Ontario communities.
Area LIP Meeting
Project Staff from:
•
Leeds and Grenville
•
Renfrew County and Lanark County
•
Prescott-Russell and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
•
Ottawa
•
Kingston
4
Available Training:
•
What bridging programs are available to newcomers locally? In the region?
Published Resource Guides
Are You Ready? Employer Resource Guide by Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council; Employer’s Resource
Guide by Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce; From Immigration to
Participation: A Report on Promising Practices in Integration by Public Policy Forum; Hire Immigrants Employer Roadmap
by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; How to Hire Foreign Trained Professionals (FTPs) in the Ottawa Region
by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Immigrant Friendly Businesses by the Conference Board of Canada; etc.
Training & Employment Services
Algonquin College International Studies; The Career Edge Program (Career Bridge Program); Citizenship and Immigration
Canada; Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa; LASI World Skills; Lebanese & Arab Social
Services Agency of Ottawa-Carleton; Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; New Directions; onTrac Employment
Resource Services; Ottawa Community Immigrant Service; YMCA-YWCA Newcomer Information Centre.
5
Training Barriers and Gaps:
•
What are the barriers for newcomers interested in participating in available programs?
•
What gaps exist in available programming?
•
How can the community best address these challenges?
70
Newcomer Focus Groups & Interviews Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association; TR Leger ESL Class; Filipino
Choir; Willis College’s International Students. Interviews to be scheduled with independent contacts.
6
Job Opportunities
Newcomer Employment Context:
•
How many local employers have newcomers on staff?
•
How much of the employer’s workforce do newcomers account for?
•
Are local businesses interested in employing newcomers?
Employer Information Form
Canadian Tire Corporation; Food Basics; GH Metals; Guildine Instruments Limited; Kilmarnock Enterprise; Performance
Printing; Shorewood Packaging; Walmart; Weatherstrong Building Products; Your Independent Grocer; Zellers; J.
Quattrocchi & Co. Ltd.; Chamber of Commerce Members; Downtown Business Association Members.
7
Job Opportunities
Support for Newcomers:
•
What programs and resources (i.e. wage subsidies) are available to newcomers seeking employment in the
area? Published Resource Guides
See above.
Training & Employment Services Key Informant Interviews
See above.
8
Job Opportunities
Newcomer Challenges:
•
What are the challenges in regards to attaining employment?
•
What are the challenges with regards to succeeding in the workplace?
•
above.
9
Newcomer Focus Groups & Interviews See
Job Opportunities
Support for Employers:
•
What programs and resources are available to employers for hiring and integrating newcomers? Published
Resource Guides
See above.
Training & Employment Services Key Informant Interviews
10
See above.
Job Opportunities
Employer Challenges:
•
What challenges exist with regards to hiring newcomers?
•
What are the challenges in terms of utilizing newcomers effectively in the workplace?
71
•
Employer Key Informant Interviews
Canadian Tire Corporation; Food Basics; GH Metals; Guildine Instruments
Limited; J. Quattrocchi & Co. Ltd.; Kilmarnock Enterprise; Performance Printing; Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital;
Shorewood Packaging; Walmart; Weatherstrong Building Products; Your Independent Grocer; Zellers; Chamber of
Commerce Members; Downtown Business Association Members.
11
Entrepreneurs and Investors
Supports for Newcomer Entrepreneurs and Investors:
•
What programs and resources are available locally? In the region?
Published Resource Guides
See above.
Entrepreneur and Investor
Korean Business Association; Lanark, North Leeds Enterprise Centre; Town of Smiths
Falls Economic Development Department; Valley Heartland CFDC; newcomer investors/business owners in the
community.
12
Newcomer Entrepreneur and Investor Challenges and Opportunities:
•
What types of opportunities are most attractive to newcomers?
•
What are the challenges with regards to investing in and operating businesses locally?
•
How can Smiths Falls become more welcoming to newcomer entrepreneurs and investors?
and Investor
See above.
13
Community Opportunities and Challenges:
•
What are the opportunities for entrepreneurship and investment in the area?
•
What are the challenges in attracting and retaining newcomer entrepreneurs and investors?
•
Entrepreneur and Investor
See above.
14
Training and Credential Recognition & Job Opportunities & Entrepreneurs and Investors
Awareness of Available Programs:
•
To what extent are partner agencies familiar with related supports for newcomers?
Entrepreneur
72
•
What resources do partner agencies refer to address related inquiries? Partner Agency Survey Algonquin
College Perth Campus; Downtown Business Association; Kingston Learning Center; Lanark, North Leeds Enterprise
Centre; onTrac Employment Resource Services; New Directions; Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce; TR Leger
Immigrant Services; Valley Heartland CFDC; Willis College.
B. Provision and Promotion of Services
No.
Forum Contact(s) / Resource(s)
1
General
•
How many newcomers are in Smiths Falls?
•
Of what age are newcomers in Smiths Falls?
Population and Demographics:
•
What is the family status of newcomers in Smiths Falls? Published Statistics
2006 Community Profile from
Statistics Canada; Conference Board of Canada; United Way of Kingston Community Profiles
Newcomer Information Forms Newcomer focus group participants and interviewees
2
General
Language(s):
•
What are the newcomers’ first languages?
•
What level of English abilities do newcomers have?
See above.
Newcomer Information Forms Newcomer Focus Group participants and interviewees
Partner Agency Survey TR Leger Immigrant Services; Service Ontario; Service Canada; Town of Smiths Falls; Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Smiths Falls Community Health Center; Smiths Falls Nurse Practitioner Led
Clinic; Lanark County Social Services; Smiths Falls Public Library; Upper Canada District School Board; Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario; Welcome Wagon; Canada Homestay International; Smiths Falls Police and emergency
services; local financial institutes and real estate agencies.
Indicator: The language in which websites are accessed.
3
Settlement and Public Services Service Availability:
•
What services are available for newcomers in Smiths Falls?
73
•
What capacity and usage do service providers have?
Community Resource Guides
Immigration Portal; etc.
Partner Agency Survey
See above.
Indicator: Estimate of newcomers as a percentage of all clients.
Industry specific indicators: Financial institutes, newcomer accounts and/or mortgages; etc.
4
Settlement and Public Services
Service Needs:
•
What services do newcomers require?
•
Which are the priority services?
•
How do service needs change as newcomers integrate into the community?
Newcomer Focus Groups
Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association; Filipino Choir; ESL class; Willis College International Students.
Interviews to be scheduled with independent contacts.
Settlement Services Key Informant Interview
Wagon.
TR Leger Immigrant Services; Canada Homestay International; Welcome
Best Practice Research Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration and Citizenship & Immigration Canada publications,
Conference Board of Canada research; Academic Research.
5
Settlement and Public Services Service Expectations:
•
What are newcomer’s expectations for services in Smiths Falls?
•
Are they satisfied with diversity and accessibility of these services?
above.
Settlement Services Key Informant Interviews
See
See above.
6
Settlement and Public Services Service Usage:
•
What challenges do newcomers face in accessing and using available services? Newcomer Focus Groups
See above.
Settlement Service Key Informant Interviews
See above.
74
Public Services Focus Group
Representatives from housing, education, health, financial, and social services sectors.
7
Settlement Services
Settlement Service Provision:
•
What are the challenges in providing these services to newcomers?
•
How can the LIP initiative assist?
8
Public Services Public Service Provision:
•
How do newcomers needs differ from those of other residents?
•
What strategies are employed to address these differences?
•
How can the LIP initiative assist?
Settlement Service Key Informant Interviews
See above.
See above.
9
Awareness and Communication Available Information:
•
What information is available for newcomers?
•
Where is this information provided?
Community Resource Guides
See above.
Provincial and Federal Websites
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
10
Awareness and Communication Information Acquisition:
•
Through what mediums do newcomers retrieve information?
•
Who are the primary contacts for newcomers? Newcomer Information Forms See above.
11
Awareness and Communication Information Needs and Gaps:
•
What information are newcomers seeking?
•
What are the information gaps?
•
What are the challenges in utilizing available information?
See above.
Settlement Service Providers Indicator: Views per website page.
See above.
75
All Partner Agencies Indicator: Types of inquiries from newcomers.
Immigration Portal Viewership Report Indicator: Views per website page.
12
Awareness and Communication Awareness of service availability:
•
To what extent are service providers and residents familiar with available services?
Informant Interviews See above.
Settlement Services Key
See above.
Residents Focus Group TBD.
C. Supportive Social Environment
No.
1
General
Forum Contact (s)/ Resource(s)
Population and Demographics:
•
How many newcomers are in Smiths Falls?
•
Of what age are newcomers in Smiths Falls?
•
To what cultural or ethnic heritage do newcomers relate?
2006 Community
Profile from Statistics Canada; Target Group Profiles from Statistics Canada; Conference Board of Canada.
Newcomer Information Forms Newcomer focus group participants and interviewees.
2
Creating Relationships in the Community
Social Contacts:
•
What cultural organization and social opportunities exist for newcomers locally?
•
With which contacts, service clubs or community organizations do newcomers interact with upon arriving in
Smiths Falls? On an ongoing basis?
Community Resource Guides Immigration Portal; Online or print publications
by Ethnic Groups in the region; etc.
Newcomer Focus Groups and Interviews
Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association; Filipino Choir; ESL
Class; Willis College International Students; International students studying with the Upper Canada District School Board.
Interviews to be scheduled with independent contacts.
T R Leger Immigrant Services; Upper Canada District School Board; Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario;
Algonquin College; Willis College; Canada Homestay International; Welcome Wagon; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark
County; Smiths Falls and District Club for Youth; Smiths Falls Public Library; Smiths Falls Ministerial Association and faithbased organizations; Rotary Club of Smiths Falls; Smiths Falls Lions Club; Smiths Falls & District Arts and Culture Council.
Indicator: Estimate number and percentage of newcomer clients.
76
3
Social Expectations:
•
What type and degree of socialization are newcomers seeking?
•
Are the relationships being sought cultural or interest based?
•
Are these expectations being met?
4
•
What barriers do newcomers encounter with regards to forming relationships in the community?
See above.
Social Networking Challenges and Opportunities:
•
How can the community build on existent social assets to address current barriers?
Best Practice Research
Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration and Citizenship & Immigration Canada publications, Conference Board of
Canada research; Academic Research.
See above.
Social Integration
T R Leger Immigrant Services; Upper Canada District School Board; Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario; Algonquin College; Willis College; Canada Homestay International; Welcome Wagon;
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County; Smiths Falls and District Club for Youth; Smiths Falls Public Library; Smiths Falls
Ministerial Association and other faith-based organizations; Rotary Club of Smiths Falls; Smiths Falls Lions Club; Smiths
Falls & District Arts and Culture Council; media representatives.
5
Building a Welcoming Community Attitude
Newcomer Perception:
•
How welcoming do newcomers perceive Smiths Falls to be?
•
What factors influence this perception? Newcomer Information Forms See above.
6
Current Community Attitude:
•
How supportive of immigration are Smiths Falls’ residents? Of diversity?
•
What understandings are influencing these attitudes?
•
What regional and/or provincial trends are influencing these attitudes? Community Documents Culture
Mapping Report
Residential Survey
Newcomer Community Partnership Program participants.
Social Integration
Key Informant Interview
See above.
77
7
Fostering a Welcoming Attitude:
•
What initiatives would support the development of a more welcoming community?
•
Which stakeholders should be involved in the development of these initiatives? Best Practice Research
Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration and Citizenship & Immigration Canada publications, Conference Board of
Canada research; Academic Research.
Projects in approximately 40 other Ontario communities.
See above.
Social Integration
See above.
D. Sustainability of the LIP
No.
1
Funding
Forum Contact(s) / Resources(s)
Government funding that aligns with the objectives of the LIP:
•
What funding is available through provincial and federal governments? Inventory of Immigration Funding
Sources Kim Leach, Town of Smiths Falls
Citizenship and Immigration Canada; Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
2
FundingLocal funding that aligns with the objectives of the LIP:
•
What funding is available through or to partner organizations? Partner Agency Survey All ‘economic
integration’, ‘provision and promotion of services’ and ‘supportive social environment’ contacts identified.
3
Reporting Structure
communities?
•
What LIP reporting structures have been applied successfully in other
•
What options are available to the Smiths Falls LIPC?
other Ontario communities.
4
LIP projects in approximately 40
Town of Smiths Falls.
Membership and Staff
LIPC membership for Phase Two and onwards:
•
What are member’s expectations and desires regarding continued participation?
78
•
How will the role and responsibilities of LIPC members change?
•
Should the size of the LIPC change?
Member Consultations All LIPC members.
See above.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada; Town of Smiths Falls.
5
Membership and Staff LIPC Chair:
•
What would be the Chair’s specific responsibilities?
•
What characteristics and/or experience should a Chair have?
•
Which LIPC members would be interested in filling this role?
6
Member Consultations See above.
See above.
Membership and Staff
Project staff for Phase Two and onwards:
•
What would be the roles and responsibilities of future staff?
•
What are the alternatives to keeping staff support for the LIPC? Member Consultations See above.
7
See above.
Regional Relationship
Potential for Partnerships:
•
Where are the LIPC service boundaries and areas of overlap?
•
How do the contexts compare between Smiths Falls and surrounding areas with LIPs?
•
What are the objectives of surrounding LIPs and do they match Smiths Falls?
•
Which common objectives could be best served regionally?
•
Leeds and Grenville;
•
Renfrew County and Lanark County;
•
Prescott-Russell and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry;
•
Ottawa;
•
Kingston.
Area LIP Meeting
Project Staff from
79
8
Regional Relationship
•
What policies and procedures should be implemented to facilitate this relationship?
Area LIP Meeting
See above.
Ontario East Economic Development Chair
80
Appendix D.
Smiths Falls Grant Synopsis - Immigration Province of Ontario
Ministry of Citizenship Municipal Immigration Website Development
and Immigration
Information Online
Program
MIIO – Marketing
Marketing Website
MIIO - Extranet
Development Private
Side of MCI website
(sharing of information
amongst partners)
Ministry of Citizenship
and Immigration COIA ( Canadian
Ontario Immigration
Agreement) Special
Projects
Community
Newcomer
Partnership Program/
Ambassador Program
and Immigration
Translations
and Immigration
Phase II –MIIO Project
and Immigration
Marketing
and Immigration
Special Projects
Creation of Partnership
and Information
sharing about
Immigration Strategy/
Develop and
Community
Ambassador Program “
Team Sell Sensational”
Translate Advantage
Smiths Falls
Documents in 17
languages
Website Upgrades –
Town and Immigration
Portal – CNPP
Sustainability
Develop Marketing
Campaign and
Education lour pieces
CNPP Project
Sustainability - Staff
Grants Continued – Federal and Provincial
Citizenship and
Local Immigration
Immigration Canada Partnerships
Ministry of
Citizenship and
Immigration
Ministry of
Citizenship and
Immigration
Ministry of
Citizenship and
Immigration
March 2008 –
April, 2010
$124.025.00
March 2009 –
st
December 31 ,
2010
st
January 1 -2010
th
– June 30 , 2010
$19900.00
January 2010 –
June 2010
$75,000.00
January 2010 –
st
March 31 2010
$0.00
October 2010 –
st
March 31 , 2011
$147,500.00
October 2010 –
st
March 31 , 2011
$22,100.00
October 2010 –
st
March 31 , 2011
$15,000.00
$20,000.00
Develop a LIP
Council and Terms
of Reference /Policy
on Immigration/ 2
employees
Marketing
February 1st, 2011 –
st
March 31 , 2012
65 week duration
$219,342.00
Approved
$20,000.00
Translations
Translated
Documents
Ongoing
Free
County Partnership
Web Portal
Approved January
2012 to June 30,
2012
$81,290.00
Marketing
81
Appendix E.
October 18, 2010
Media release
International students tour Smiths Falls and Rideau Canal through International Students’ Initiative
Smiths Falls – A few months ago, the Town of Smiths Falls endorsed a proposal to the Valley Heartland Community
Futures Development Corporation by the Rideau Roundtable for an international students’ initiative.
This past weekend, town representatives showed their support of International Students’ Initiative (ISI) 2010 by
welcoming two groups of international students who toured Smiths Falls through the initiative. On Saturday, Oct. 16,
Councillor Ken Graham extended greetings to 24 students visiting from St. Lawrence College in Kingston while Mayor
Dennis Staples had a warm welcome for the 31 students from Carleton University in Ottawa who were here on Sunday.
Both highlighted the opportunities that await new Canadians in this growing community.
Peter Au, president of the Rideau Roundtable and credited with conceiving the idea of the students’ initiative, says the
Town of Smiths Falls has been “very, very, very supportive” of ISI 2010.
A collaboration of various groups, including the Town of Smiths Falls and Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association, the
pilot project is aimed at introducing the international students to the ecology, geology and history of the Rideau
Heritage Route, as well as economic development opportunities in the hosting town. With that in mind, the students
from St. Lawrence College and Carleton University hiked along the Rideau Canal and, upon arriving in Smiths Falls,
toured the Rideau Canal Museum and viewed a documentary on the building of the canal. As well, they got to paddle a
portion of the canal through the Swale to Poonamalie Lock in a Voyageur canoe, accompanied by Jason J Yang, a
member of town staff. Andrea Howard, co-ordinator of the ISI, was the guide for the two tours.
For John Umunna who is enrolled in business accounting at St. Lawrence College, it was an exciting and fun experience.
Although he had never paddled a boat before, the Nigerian student found that aspect of the tour “quite interesting.”
The same was true for St. Lawrence College students Tejinder Kaur of India and Hana Lee of Korea. One of the highlights
for Lee who is studying English as a Second Language was getting to see the leaves in their spectacular fall colours.
“There are lots of different colours of leaves,” she commented. “I now know autumn in Canada.”
Umunna thinks the tours are a “very good” idea.
“It kind of shows them (the students) what historic places are left in Canada,” he said.
Along with familiarizing the students with the beauty and history of the Rideau Canal and the local region, organizers of
ISI 2010 hope those who take part in the tours will be encouraged to return here as visitors and perhaps bring their
families with them. As well, Howard shared with the students on Saturday that it is the dream of organizers that some
will be so excited by what they saw that day that they will decide to apply to become an interpreter on the Rideau
Heritage Route, thus adding to the number of languages in which interpretation is provided.
Likewise, when the students graduate from college or university, the co-ordinator of ISI 2010 said the hope is that some
will opt to do business locally “or maybe even settle here.”
82
Umunna is certainly intent on making a return visit to Smiths Falls.
“I would love to come back,” he said. “There are things I want to show my friends like the Rideau Canal gates and locks.”
Lee is also looking forward to returning to Smiths Falls.
“I will come back with my family,” she said.
In addition to the two tours on the weekend, 48 international students from the University of Ottawa were welcomed to
Smiths Falls through ISI 2010 by Staples and Bob Cheetham, the town’s manager of economic development, on Sept. 19
and a group of students from Algonquin College in Ottawa will be visiting the town through the initiative on Oct. 30.
Staples believes the project is “a tremendous way for the town to promote our community and its assets to
international students.”
The Sensational Town of Smiths Falls is and will continue to be an excellent community in which to live, work, visit, and
play and conduct business. For more information about the Town of Smiths Falls and all its excellent opportunities,
please visit www.smithsfalls.ca or www.advantagesmithsfalls.ca.
-30For more information contact:
Bob Cheetham
Manager of Economic Development
(O) 613.283.4124 x1107
(C) 613.812.8792
bcheetham@smithsfalls.ca
Kimberley Leach
Economic Development Coordinator
(O) 613.283.4124 X1127
(C) 613.812.4143
kleach@smithsfalls.ca
83
Appendix F.
LIP Interview Log
File
See Interview File
See Interview File
Interview 2011-03
Interview 2011-04
Interview 2011-05
Interview 2011-06
Interview 2011-07
Interview 2011-08
Interview 2011-09
Interview 2011-10
Interview 2011-11
Interview 2011-12
Interview 2011-13
Interview 2011-14
Interview 2011-15
Interview 2011-16
Interview 2011-17
Interview 2011-18
Interview 2011-19
Interview 2011-20
Interview 2011-21
Interview 2011-22
Interview 2011-23
Interview 2011-24
Interview 2011-25
Interview 2011-26
Interview 2011-27
Interview 2011-28
Interview 2011-29
Interview 2011-30
Respondent
Algonquin College students doing work placement
in Smiths Falls
Mary Ellen Cote, Service Ontario
Yohan Byrde, LIPC member, Comfort Inn
Pauline Anderson, LIPC member, Welcome Wagon
Sarah Bridson, LIPC member, United Way Lanark
County
Daphne Lane, LIPC member, TR Leger Immigrant
Services
Michelle Toop, LIPC member, Ontrac Employment
Resource Services
Angel Valentin, LIPC member, Smiths Falls Free
Methodist Church and Bridges
Julie Case, ESL and Settlement Services Worker
Karen Burns, LIPC Member, CIBC
Loretta Corbeil, Volunteer Bureau Leeds-Grenville
Traci Brigham, LIPC member, newcomer
Ming Shan Gu, LIPC member, newcomer,
Education Bridge International Inc.; Mac’s
Convenience Stores
Sandy Grey, LIPC member, Lanark County Social
Housing
Louis Tremblay, Smiths Falls & District Arts &
Culture Council
Stacey Roy, EMC
Kristina Crosbie, LIPC member, Dominion Lending
Centre
Melinda Billett, LIPC Member, Leeds, Grenville and
Lanark District Health Unit
Kirk White, RCN Nova Scotia
Gord Cooke, Smiths Falls District Collegiate
Institute
Jennifer Miller, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lanark
County
Peter Au, LIPC member, Chinese and Canadian
Heritage Cultural Association
Karen Schecter, LIPC member, Smiths Falls Public
Library
Tony Gilchrist, New Directions
Ram Mogandas, Chuckles Jack
Ken Graham, LIPC member, Town of Smiths Falls
Doris Marshall, Smiths Falls & District Centre for
Youth
Arumugam Subbian, newcomer
Christine Mike, local resident
Helene Oosthuizen, newcomer
Date Completed
Summer 2011
Summer 2011
October 24th 2011
October 24th 2011
October 25th 2011
October 25th 2011
October 26th 2011
October 27th 2011
October 31st 2011
November 3rd 2011
November 7th 2011
November 10th 2011
November 15th 2011
November 16, 2011
December 12, 2011
November 17, 2011
November 17, 2011
November 18, 2011
November 21, 2011
November 22, 2011
November 23, 2011
November 23, 2011
November 24, 2011
November 25, 2011
November 28, 2011
November 28, 2011
November 29, 2011
November 30, 2011
November 30, 2011
December 1,2011
84
Interview 2011-31
Interview 2011-32
Interview 2011-33
Interview 2011-34
Interview 2011-35
Interview 2011-36
Interview 2011-37
Interview 2011-38
Interview 2011-39
Interview 2011-40
Interview 2011-41
Interview 2011-42
Interview 2011-43
Interview 2011-44
Interview 2011-45
Interview 2011-46
Interview 2011-47
Interview 2011-48
Interview 2011-49
Interview 2011-50
Interview 2011-51
Interview 2011-52
Interview 2011-53
Interview 2012-54
Interview 2012-55
Interview 2012-56
Interview 2012-57
Interview 2012-58
Interview 2012 -59
Interview 2012-60
Interview 2012-61
Interview 2012-62
Interview 2012-63
Interview 2012-64
Peter McKenna, Smiths Falls Community Health
Center
Jane Torrance, Lanark County Planning Group
Diana Madamba, newcomer
Chris Trimm, Wills Transfer
Cindy James, Lanark North Leeds Enterprise
Centre
Fran Quattrocchi, Quattrocchi’s
Zoe Ashby, newcomer
Kevin Grimes, LIPC member, Century 21 Your
Choice Realty
David Hoffman, newcomer
Shawn Pankow, Pankow Financial Services
Anne Davis, Algonquin College
Sandy McInnes, Duncan J. Schoular School
Jason Yang, newcomer
Eileen Crosby, Rotary Club
Dave Lawrence, LIPC member, RBC
Wayne Cavanagh, Jack FM
Rima Aristocrat, LIPC member, Willis College
Nancy Metcalfe, GEW Project
Diana Liu, CIC
Norlita Degada Villanueva, newcomer
Todd Stepanuik, Perth & Smiths Falls District
Hospital
Elizabeth Goldman, Perth & District Union Public
Library
Ian Sutton, Lake 88
Bob Cheetham, Economic Development Dept.,
Paola Kryvenchuk, newcomer
Dawn Quinn, Downtown Business Association
Major Faith Cameron and Barb Thornhill,
Salvation Army
Kim Leach, LIPC member, Economic Development
Dept., Town of Smiths Falls
Natalia Migounova, Perfect Fit Alterations
Haerishton Lima, newcomer
Ken, Rosie’s Nails, newcomer/Business Owner
Munieaswara Moorthy Musiswamy, newcomer
Anna Mavreganis, Gerbo’s Steakhouse
Donaleen Hawes, Catholic District School Board of
Eastern Ontario
December 2, 2011
December 5, 2011
December 7, 2011
December 8, 2011
December 8, 2011
December 8, 2011
December 9, 2011
December 12, 2011
December 13, 2011
December 13, 2011
December 14, 2011
December 15, 2011
December 15, 2011
January 27, 2012
December 19, 2011
December 19, 2011
December 20, 2011
December 20, 2011
December 20, 2011
December 21, 2011
December 21, 2011
December 22, 2011
December 22, 2011
January 10, 2012
January 5, 2012
January 5, 2012
January 6, 2012
January 26th 2012
January 26th 2012
January 30th, 2012
January 30th 2012
January 30th, 2012
January 30th, 2012
January 9th, 2012
85
Appendix G.
For immediate release: Town council approves appointments to Local Immigration
Partnership Council
Smiths Falls (May 16, 2011) – The Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council has
been officially established.
The appointments to the newly formed LIP Council were approved by Smiths Falls Town Council at
tonight’s regular meeting of town council. Members are (in alphabetical order): Peter Au, Pauline
Anderson, Rima Aristocrat, Melinda Billett, Sarah Bridson, Traci Brigham, Kristina Crosbie, Major
Brian Fuller, Sandy Grey, Kevin Grimes, Ming Shan Gu, Amanda Guerin, Daphne Lane, David
Lawrence, Kim Leach, Nancy Metcalfe, Karen Schecter, Michelle Toop, Rev. J. Angel Valentin, and
Klaas Van Der Meer.
Among the various settlement services, other community organizations and businesses represented
on the new LIP Council are the Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association; TR Leger
Immigrant Services; Willis College of Business, Health and Technology; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark
District Health Unit; United Way of Lanark County; Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce
and The Salvation Army, as well as newcomers to the Smiths Falls area.
“We are pleased with the response received from the community,” says Nicole Sullivan, Local
Immigration Partnership Coordinator. “The team that has been appointed to the LIP Council includes
a broad representation of stakeholder groups from newcomers themselves to settlement service
providers to the business community. Their combined knowledge and experience will be a valuable
asset in meeting the objectives of the initiative.”
The LIP Council will act as a strategic planning body that works to coordinate and enhance the
integration of newcomers in the community.
The first term of the LIP Council will extend until March 31, 2012, after which membership will be
reviewed, to coincide with the completion of Phase One of the project. During that phase, the
members of the council will develop a local settlement strategy and a corresponding implementation
plan, meanwhile gathering the information and feedback necessary to support these deliverables. As
part of that work, consultations will take place with newcomers, employers and service providers in
the community.
“The feedback gathered will guide the development of recommendations presented in the Settlement
Strategy, helping to ensure that it reflects and responds to the local context,” Sullivan says.
Smiths Falls is one of 45 LIP communities in Ontario with funding for the project being provided by
Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The Town of Smiths Falls is the project partner.
“The creation of the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council is an important next step in
providing effective supports and services for newcomers to our area,” says Mayor Dennis Staples.
An official Kick Off for the LIP program in Smiths Falls is being planned for Thursday, June 16. More
details about the event will be released at the end of the month.
For more information contact:
86
Nicole Sullivan
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1164
Dianne Pinder-Moss
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1184
87
Appendix H.
For immediate release
Community input sought for public consultation phase of Local Immigration Partnership
project
Smiths Falls October 17, 2011 – The Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC) wants to hear
from the community.
During the first phase of the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) project, which is to be completed by
March 31st, 2012, LIPC members will develop a local settlement strategy and a corresponding
implementation plan. Consultations will take place with newcomers, employers, service providers
and others in the community as part of that work.
These consultations are planned for October and will primarily take the form of focus groups, key
informant interviews and surveys.
From feedback gathered through the discussion groups hosted at the Celebration Evening held on
June 16 to kick off the LIP project, the LIPC was able to identify focus areas for the project. These
include the economic integration of newcomers, the provision and promotion of services, the creation
of a welcoming community and the sustainability of the LIP initiative.
Work groups met in August to determine specific topics with respect to each of the focus areas that
they would like to receive further community feedback on.
These topics, which are listed in the Community Consultation Plan, range from statistics on the
number of newcomers in the Smiths Falls’ area and their first languages to the settlement and public
services that are available to them to the challenges and opportunities for attracting newcomer
entrepreneurs and investors. Information will also be gathered on how welcoming newcomers
perceive Smiths Falls to be, how supportive Smiths Falls’ residents are of immigration and what
initiatives are needed to help develop a more welcoming attitude in the town.
According to Nicole Sullivan, LIP Coordinator, the insight provided by the community consultation
phase will assist the LIPC in creating a settlement strategy “that reflects and complements the current
community context.”
“The successful settlement of newcomers requires a collaborative community approach,” Sullivan
says. “Accordingly, feedback is being sought from representatives from the community, its
organizations and businesses.”
Anyone who would like to be part of the consultation process is encouraged to contact Sullivan at
613-283-4124, ext. 1164 (email nsullivan@smithsfalls.ca) or Dianne Pinder-Moss, LIP Administrative
Coordinator, at 613-283-4124, ext. 1184 (email dpindermoss@smithsfalls.ca).
Approved by the LIPC at its meeting on Sept. 21 and presented to Smiths Falls Town Council for
information purposes on Sept. 26, the Community Consultation Plan is available online on the town’s
Immigration Portal at http://immigratetosmithsfalls.ca/communityconsultation.cfm.
Information gathered during the consultation process will be compiled into a report to be presented to
the LIPC in November.
88
Councillor Ken Graham who represents town council on the LIPC cannot stress enough the
importance of this phase of the project.
"This is an exciting process the LIPC is embarking on,” Graham says. “Public participation and input
is paramount to the right plan being developed to accurately present Smiths Falls as a caring,
welcoming and nurturing community to newcomers. I encourage everyone to provide their input so we
can move forward."
Smiths Falls is one of 45 LIP communities in Ontario with funding for the project being provided by
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The Town of Smiths Falls is the project partner.
Nicole Sullivan
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1164
Dianne Pinder-Moss
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1184
89
Appendix I.
For immediate release
Kickoff event for Local Immigration Partnership project in Smiths Falls an evening of celebration
Smiths Falls (June 16, 2011) – There was plenty to celebrate as the Celebration Evening for the Local Immigration
Partnership (LIP) project took place tonight (Thursday, June 16) in Smiths Falls.
Approximately 60 people were on hand at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre as the official announcement of
the project in the Smiths Falls area was made by Mary Barr, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC).
Smiths Falls is one of 45 LIP communities in Ontario with funding for the project being provided by CIC. The Town of
Smiths Falls is the project partner.
In a statement issued prior to the celebration evening, Scott Reid, Member of Parliament for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox &
Addington, said the Local Immigration Partnership “will enable the community of Smiths Falls to help newcomers
integrate more quickly.”
“By better understanding newcomers’ needs, we can improve access to important services, like language training, that
are key to successful integration,” Reid stated.
Under the LIP initiative, the recently appointed Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC) will act as a strategic
planning body that works to coordinate and enhance the integration of newcomers in the community. The council has
broad representation from newcomers to settlement service providers to the business community.
“The Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council will be an effective and significant body to welcome all
newcomers to Smiths Falls, as well as providing the required services, information and support to our new citizens,”
Mayor Dennis Staples told the gathering.
The first phase of the LIP project is to be completed by March 31st, 2012. During that time period, the members of the
council will develop a local settlement strategy and a corresponding implementation plan, meanwhile gathering the
information and feedback necessary to support these deliverables. As part of that work, consultations will take place
with newcomers, employers and service providers in the community.
An initial step in the consultation process took place on Thursday night as those in attendance were divided into
discussion groups to gather feedback on the challenges and opportunities for immigration in the community.
“As the initiative progresses, the LIPC will be seeking further feedback from the community on the themes highlighted
through the discussion sessions conducted,” said Nicole Sullivan, Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator.
The celebration evening for LIP truly had an international flavour. That included the entertainment, which opened with
Aira Sarmiento on the guitar singing songs in English and the Tagalog language of her native Philippines, followed by
Jason Yang playing the Chinese harp.
90
Following their performances, Ming Shan Gu shared her experience of what it was like to leave her homeland of China to
come to Canada and start a new life, eventually settling in Smiths Falls with her family in 2008.
“As a newcomer, I did feel the atmosphere of warmth and being welcomed in Smiths Falls,” Gu related, adding “it is
possible to be integrated in small communities like Smiths Falls as long as you make an effort.”
Sullivan said the celebration evening “generated awareness and excitement about the Local Immigration Partnership
that will facilitate the community collaboration which is fundamental to the initiative.”
--30—
Nicole Sullivan
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1164
Dianne Pinder-Moss
(O) 613-283-4124, ext. 1184
91
Appendix J.
Muchmor Magazine Issue 48 (above) and Issue 49 (below)
92
Appendix K.
Revised Project Plan and Itemized Tasks
Implementation Plan Overview – 2012 -2013
Timeline:
Task
Responsibility
April 2012 – September 2012
Provide Welcome Packages to
Newcomers
Staff with input from Council
April 2012 – November 2012
Develop a Newcomer Guide in
various languages identified in
Strategy
Staff with input from Council
and LIP Projects for LeedsGrenville and Renfrew-Lanark
April 2013 – April 2013
Utilize the Economic
Development Department as a
linkage to Newcomer Settlement
Services
Economic Development Office
relocation will take place in
2012 and be more visible and
easily accessible
June 2012 - March 2013
Educate Employers on cultural Chamber of Commerce and
diversity and programs to Town of Smiths Falls Staff and
benefit Newcomers and business LIP Council
March 2012 – October 2013
Develop a list of potential Economic Development Staff
translators in the community and LIP Council
and establish a resource base
Create a monthly
virtual LIP Council develops content in
cooperation with Economic
newsletter for newcomers
Development Staff
( ongoing)
To address transportation issue,
organize a weekly bus shuttle to
various businesses at a nominal
fee
Staff with input from business
community and local
transportation provider
Promote Cultural Diversity and
Educate Community – ie
Multicultural Day and Speaker
Series
(ongoing)
Establish a Newcomers Group to
share food, culture and
socialization
Develop a mentoring program
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of
(ongoing)
93
(ongoing)
for youth
Lanark County
Establish a Career Mentor
program to assist internationally
trained workers, in particular
professionals, to obtain
employment
Staff with input from local
employment service agencies
(ongoing)
April 2012
(ongoing)
–
April
2013 Improve diversity on Town of
Smiths Falls Committees
April 2012 – March 2013
Improve delivery Staff and
Council knowledge on
immigration and settlement
delivery through training and
workshops
94
Appendix L.
Terms of Reference
June 17, 2011
95
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
3
2.0 Vision, Mission & Guiding Values
2.1 Vision
3
2.2 Mission
3
2.3 Guiding Values
3
3.0 Membership
4
3.1 Composition
4
3
3.1.1 Local Immigration Partnership Council
3.1.2 Work Groups
4
3.1.2 Project Partner
4
3.1.4 Staff
4
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities
5
3.2.3 Staff
4
5
5
5
4.0 Member Recruitment and Selection 6
4.1 Recruitment and Appointment
6
4.1.1 Expression of Interest (EOI)
6
4.1.2 Appointments
6
4.2 Selection Criteria
6
4.3 Term of Appointment
6
5.0 Processes and Procedures
7
5.1 Meeting Schedule and Attendance 7
5.2 Quorum
8
5.3 Decision Making and Voting Procedure
5.4 Reimbursement of Expenses 8
5.5 Responding to Media Inquiries
8
8
96
5.6 Request for Proposals
9
6.0 Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy
7.0 Agreement to Terms of Reference
9
9
Terms of Reference
1.0
Introduction
Phase One of Local Immigration Partnership initiative will extend until March 31st, 2012 to coincide with the Citizenship
and Immigration Canada funding period. During this period, the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council (LIPC)
will develop a local settlement strategy and a corresponding implementation plan, meanwhile gathering the information
and feedback necessary to support these deliverables.
Following the completion of Phase One, the intention is for all community organizations affiliated with the LIPC to
endorse the recommendations of the settlement strategy and support the implementation through the LIPC.
2.0 Vision, Mission & Guiding Values
The following were established at the May 26th, 2011 meeting of the LIPC.
2.1 Vision
To be a community that understands, supports and celebrates diversity; where newcomers are empowered through
meaningful and long term connections with residents and local organizations.
2.2 Mission
The LIPC will provide the framework for a coordinated, comprehensive and strategic approach to immigration and
integration in Smiths Falls and District.
2.3 Guiding Values
Respect and Open Mindedness: Members believe in the value of the perspectives of all community members,
businesses and organizations. The LIPC will be receptive to and consider all input received, recognizing that the resulting
awareness is fundamental to meeting the objectives of the initiative.
Inclusiveness and Collaboration: The successful settlement and integration of newcomers is believed to be the product
of a united community approach. Therefore, the initiative will be open and accessible to all residents and sectors of the
community for input and shared responsibility.
97
Innovation: The LIPC encourages new approaches that will enhance the experience of newcomers settling in the
community; placing priority on strategies and action plans that reflect and respond to the unique local context.
Consistency: These values will transcend member’s attitudes and actions while also shaping the initiative as it evolves.
3.0 Membership
3.1 Composition
The Smiths Falls LIPC will consist of 15 to 20 members. Membership is to include, but is not limited to, representation
from Smiths Falls and District :
•
Newcomer community and cultural networks
•
Public sectors including health, education, housing and recreation
•
Settlement service providers
•
Businesses and economic development organizations
•
Local government
3.1.2 Work Groups
The LIPC can create work groups as it sees fit, determining the term and focus accordingly. Membership for these work
groups is to include additional community stakeholders outside of the LIPC.
The Town of Smiths Falls is the signatory of the LIP Contribution Agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC) and as such, has final accountability for all monies and deliverables. As the project partner, the Town of Smiths
Falls will have a representative from the Economic Development Department sitting on the LIPC.
3.1.4 Staff
During Phase One of the initiative, the LIPC will have two (2) full time staff, a Coordinator and a Project Assistant.
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities
98
As a team, the LIPC will:
•
Direct, support and monitor the development of initiative deliverables
•
Provide community connections and expertise on local immigration trends and settlement service needs
•
Conduct community consultations to build a knowledge base that complements the initiative deliverables
•
Advocate on settlement issues on behalf of the community
As part of the LIPC, members are expected to:
•
Attend all LIPC meetings
•
Participate on at least one work group and attend all respective meetings
•
Prepare for meetings by reviewing material provided
•
Actively participate in meeting discussions and LIPC activities
•
Complete and report on tasks assigned by the LIPC
•
Act in accordance with the code of conduct and conflict of interest policy outlined in Section 6.0.
In addition to the roles and responsibilities outlined for LIPC members, the project partner will:
•
Hire, supervise and support the LIPC staff
•
Along with the LIPC staff, act as a primary contact for media and funding agencies
•
Preside over LIPC meetings in the absence of the LIP Coordinator
3.2.3 Staff
The staff team will provide support to the LIPC as outlined in detail in the job descriptions for each position.
4.0 Member Recruitment and Selection
4.1 Recruitment and Appointment
4.1.1 Expression of Interest (EOI)
Membership formation is to be based on the principle of inclusivity and will be open to any individual, group or
organization from Smiths Falls and District. As such, a call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) is to be presented to the
99
community at large. Notifications will be broadly distributed using the local media, Smiths Falls’ Immigration Portal, and
existing email networks. All individuals, groups or organizations that wish to participate on the LIPC must complete an
EOI that lists their contact information and indicates how they can contribute to the LIPC.
Calls for EOIs will be issued and/or remain open as the LIPC deems necessary.
4.1.2 Appointments
LIPC staff and the project partner will jointly review EOIs received and recommend membership based on the selection
criteria outlined in Section 4.2. A resolution with this recommendation will be presented to the Smiths Falls Town
Council for approval and the appointment of member(s).
4.2 Selection Criteria
New LIPC members will be chosen with the objective of achieving a broad representation of stakeholder groups and
based on applicants:
•
Relevant experience
•
Demonstrated commitment to community collaboration
•
Ability to serve the term in question
Up to two (2) representatives from any organization can participate on the LIPC though priority will be given to the
above mentioned.
4.3 Term of Appointment
The first term of the LIPC will extend until March 31st, 2012 to coincide with Phase One of the initiative. Members will
be asked to reaffirm their interest in participating on the LIPC at the completion of this period, and on an annual basis
from thereon in. The number of terms a member may serve is unlimited.
Any resignation from the LIPC shall be tendered in writing to the LIPC staff or the project partner.
5.0 Processes and Procedures
5.1 Meeting Schedule and Attendance
During Phase One of the initiative, the LIPC and Work Groups will meet according to the following schedule:
100
No.
Type of Meeting
1
LIPC
Time Frame
Objective(s)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
10:30am to 1:00pm
•
Project introduction
•
Determine values & ethics
2
LIPC
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
1:00pm to 3:00pm
•
Adopt Terms of Reference
•
Review feedback gathered at LIP Kick Off
•
Determine areas of focus & establish corresponding work groups
•
Suggest additional membership for work group
3
Work Group
•
Establish information needs and collection plan
July/August 2011
•
Determine information needs and gaps
Via
Email
LIPC
Week of September 11, 2011
4
LIPC
Wednesday, November 2 , 2011
10:00am to 12:00pm
•
LIPC
LIPC
November/ December 2011
•
Draft strategies and implementation plan for
•
Presentation of work group strategies & implementation plan
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
10:00am to 12:00pm
•
Present summary of information collected
Thursday, January 19, 2012
10:00am to 12:00pm
7
Present work group’s information collection plans
Discuss potential strategies
5
Work Group
presentation to LIPC
6
•
•
•
Review & revise drafts
Discuss and prepare
for LIP Phase 2
Via
Email
LIPC
March 2012
•
Project evaluation
•
Approve final deliverables
101
Members are expected to attend all meetings. However, in the event that a member is unable to attend, their designate
or alternate may attend in their place.
To ensure continuity, members will be asked to confirm their continued interest in participating on the LIPC after two (2)
consecutive absences at LIPC meetings regardless of whether a designate was assigned.
5.2 Quorum
A quorum of the LIPC is half the total membership plus one to a minimum of six (6). If a quorum is not present within
fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled time of a LIPC meeting, the meeting will proceed on a discussion basis only.
5.3 Decision Making and Voting Procedure
Decisions are to be made through consensus. The input of all participants is to be gathered and synthesized to arrive at a
final decision acceptable to all. In the event that consensus cannot be reached, a vote will take place with the final
decision made by majority rule. Should a tie occur, the LIP Coordinator will be given a vote.
All members have equal voting rights and designates will assume the vote of the LIPC member being represented. LIPC
staff do not have voting rights except in the case that the LIP Coordinator’s vote is required to break a tie.
5.4 Reimbursement of Expenses
For the duration of Phase One, LIPC members will be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from Council meetings at a
rate of $0.45/kilometre. Reimbursement will only be provided for claims recorded in the manner prescribed by the LIPC
staff or project partner. Additional expenses directly related to the LIP project may be reimbursed but require preapproval from the LIPC staff or project partner.
5.5 Responding to Media Inquiries
LIPC members who are approached by the media should refer all inquiries to the LIPC staff or project partner to ensure
compliance with the media protocols outlined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in the Contribution Agreement
and those of the project partner.
5.6 Request for Proposals
Organizations represented on the LIPC will not be excluded from responding to any Request for Proposal (RFP) process
or community funding opportunity that furthers the work and goals of their respective organizations.
102
6.0 Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy
All members represent the issue and not their organization. Nevertheless, it is understood that given the necessity of
having members with certain expertise, potential conflicts will arise. All members are therefore required to comply with
the guidelines herein and the policies binding the project partner.
Members should declare a conflict of interest if the outcome of an assessment and/or decision could be or perceived to
be of direct or indirect benefit. Members shall disclose any anticipated areas of conflict prior to becoming LIPC
members and shall continue to disclose any potential areas of conflict that may arise. When an actual or perceived
conflict does arise, the member shall immediately advise the LIP Council. They will refrain from discussing the matter
with any other LIPC members and shall excuse themselves while the matter is under consideration and being voted upon
by the LIP Council.
In the event that there is a failure to comply with these guidelines or the policies of the project partner, the LIPC staff
and project partner will be responsible for addressing the issue with the member and recommending a suitable course
of action to the LIPC.
7.0 Agreement to Terms of Reference
I, __________________________________, member of the Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership Council, have
read this document and agree to the terms contained herein.
Signature:
Date:
103
Appendix M.
104
105
Appendix N.
106
Appendix O.
107
Appendix P.
108

Smiths Falls: A Strategy to Welcome Newcomers

Transcription

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