This has been an interesting past few weeks with various polls being released gauging Canadians including immigrants (including refugees) beliefs, feelings and understanding of (im)migration, immigrants as people, ethno-racial make-up of immigration and the changing face of Canada`s ethno-cultural/racial make-up.
These past weeks have been interesting as I spent time in gorgeous Victoria, BC at the semi-annual Consultation of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) with like-minded activists and good-hearted Canadians wanting to make a difference in the lives of refugees and (im)migrants.
CultureLink has released a new family-friendly cycling resource, The Toronto Cycling Handbook: Family Edition. It contains sections on all phases of family cycling including ‘Biking while Pregnant’, ‘Biking with Babies and Toddlers’, ‘Biking to School’, and ‘Reasons to Ride as a Family’. You can find information about bike safety, child bike seats, bike trailers, bike maintenance, and more.
OCASI congratulates Debbie Douglas on your 2019 Women of Resilience Award from Women’s Health in Women’s Hands. You make us proud! We also congratulate Maureen Owino (Committee for Accessible Aids Treatment), Celeste Bilbao-Joseph (Centre for Spanish Speaking People), Shalini Konanur (South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario), Kike Ojo (Kojo Institute) and Maya Roy (YWCA Canada).
Presentation by Debbie Douglas - OCASI Executive Director at the Cities and Migration Plenary at International Metropolis Conference 2019 on June 28, 2019 in Gatineau, Quebec. Debbie reflects on social integration and the role of immigrant and refugee serving sector agencies, and municipalities.
Vous cherchez des informations et ressources pour nouveaux arrivants ? L'Ontario c'est chez moi fournit une série de webinaires pour vous aider à naviguer les diverses situations que vous pouvez rencontrer tout au long de votre établissement en Ontario. Le Webinaire Argent et Services bancaires contient des informations sur les banques, le crédit, la budgétisation efficace et plus encore. Consultez également nos nouvelles pour trouver d'autres thèmes et leurs dates d'inscriptions.
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OCASI will be holding a professional development conference on October 17 - 19, 2019. The Conference is targeted to frontline workers and managers in the Ontario immigrant and refugee serving sector. We have just concluded a needs assessment survey of frontline workers and will soon release a call for session proposals. Watch for updates in this newsletter and on our website.
SECTOR HAPPENINGS
Register for CCR Youth Action Gathering
Registration is open for Canadian Council for Refugees 7th Annual National Youth Action Gathering (YAG) in Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, October 4 & 5, 2019. The YAG brings together immigrant and refugee youth from across Canada to share, learn and together strategize about how to address common challenges.
Your city is stronger and more connected because refugees are here, becoming colleagues, neighbours, and friends. Ask your mayor to officially stand with refugees and cities across the world by signing the UNHCR Statement of Solidarity with Refugees. Tell your city to stand #WithRefugees.
A new online resource that aims to fill gaps in understanding between Canada’s diverse communities, the media they listen to, read and watch, and how that can affect how they will cast their ballot in the upcoming federal election. See demographic data at the riding level focusing on majority-minority ridings, and relevant news stories from multicultural communities.
Hold the dates March 19-21 2020 for the 22nd National Metropolis Conference to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Information is to be posted shortly. Meanwhile, you can join the mailing list for updates.
Effective July 7, 2019 bail services are to be provided by duty counsel. Eligibility for the test case program will be determined by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) staff instead of an external committee. LAO funded hours for certain services such as bail review hearings and representation of clients with mental health issues have been cut.
The government of Canada launched “Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022” on June 25, 2019. The strategy includes the creation of a new Anti-Racism Secretariat within the Department of Canadian Heritage to coordinate federal government anti-racism efforts.
Displaced persons and precarious migrants are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations that can then impact their right to housing. A new report from FCJ Refugee Centre presents challenges that refugee claimants and precarious migrants face in finding a place to stay in the city, whether that is a temporary shelter or more permanent housing.
NEW REPORT | Catalyst for change: In support of the charitable sector
The federal government needs to renew its relationship with charities, non-profits and volunteers if it is to sustain good work in the future. In a report released Thursday, the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector details the strategies and regulatory reforms needed to maximize the impact of this sector in communities both here in Canada and around the world.
NEW REPORT | Volunteer Mentor Training Manual 2019 - How to support vulnerable newcomers in Grey Bruce
Making Grey Bruce Home was initiated by United Way of Bruce Grey in partnership with Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce. This 14-month project developed, implemented and evaluated a rural service delivery model to enhance the capacity of communities and service providers to support the social and economic integration of refugees and vulnerable newcomers
