Table of Contents
Message from the Co-Chairs
Q & A with Regional Chair Emil Kolb
Peel Immigration Labour Market Survey Findings
PNSG Presented the Vision of a New Model for Newcomer Settlement and Integration
Brampton's Karen Brown wins Mentee of the Year Award
Immigrationpeel.ca
(Emil Vincent Kolb was first elected as Chair of Peel Regional Council, on December 12, 1991. His sixth and current term as Regional Chair began in December 2006. He is also Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation of the Regional Municipality of Peel. In addition, Mr. Kolb is Chair of the Peel Police Services Board, a position he has held since January 1996. Mr. Kolb was awarded the prestigious Commemorative Golden Jubilee Medal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in honour of his contributions to society and the community. His most recent honour was being named the 2008 Ontario Public Works Association “Leader of the Year” for his contributions and support of the Public Works industry in Ontario.)
Q: Immigrants are driving the population growth of Peel -- 2000 newcomers come to the region every month after arriving in Canada. As regional chair, what is your vision for integrating newcomers into our economy and community?A: My vision for integrating immigrants comes from my life experience and my time in public service. Like many other residents of Peel and Canada, my parents were immigrants. My father came to Canada from Germany 100 years ago this May. My mom came in 1927 from Yugoslavia where she lived through the horrors of the First World War. Like many immigrants to this land, they came to provide a better life for their children and live in a country of relative peace. I believe this is still the reason why many newcomers choose Canada as their home.
I see the integration of newcomers as something gradual. Immigration has changed Canada and will continue to change our great country.
For me integrating into our economy means newcomers finding good jobs that match their education and work experience. We still have a long way to go on this, but I feel that we are
making some progress. We can improve by expanding current initiatives that have worked for newcomers, things like mentorships, internships, language classes, bridge training, local immigration websites and financial supports targeted to employment.
Integrating newcomers into our community means making them feel welcome and valuing and respecting who they are. We shouldn’t expect and pressure newcomers to abandon their culture and religion, because this means denying who they really are. Newcomers’ culture and customs enriches and is part of our Canadian way of life, which is promoted and protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. At the same time, newcomers adjust to our way of life, build our economy and society and cherish our freedoms and kindness.
Integrating into our society also means encouraging and inviting newcomers to get involved. This means that our institutions and community groups need to be open and accessible to all residents. It also means getting people of different backgrounds mixing. This seems to happen most naturally in our schools. You know, I can remember growing up in the old Albion Township, which is now part of Caledon, in the 1940s and being the only Catholic family not having a Catholic church nearby. During the week, our parents encouraged me and my brother to participate in programs offered by Anglican and Methodist churches. This was my first taste of mixing with others who were different than me.
Today we have come a long way. Region of Peel leadership is presently engaged in a series of interactive and learning workshops with different places of worship to see how we can better understand and work with the needs of faith communities. This is a journey for us and steps like these will lay a solid foundation for years to come.
Q: What role can community collaboratives such as Peel Newcomer Strategy Group play to contribute in achieving your vision?
A: The Region has actively supported PNSG and in fact was involved in its creation. It works closely with PNSG on a number of levels. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by Janet Menard, Peel’s Commissioner of Human Services and Shelley White, the CEO of the United Way of Peel.
I see the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group playing a coordinating role and one of calling newcomers, business, community groups, governments and the broader public sector together around immigration issues. It can get different groups and people to work together to find solutions that promote a welcoming community, encourage our institutions to be more open and to create opportunities for people of different backgrounds to learn from each other. Rome wasn’t built in a day and building a more welcoming community where different people work together to develop common values, tackle shared challenges and promote equal opportunities will take some time.
PNSG can bring community partners together to meet newcomers’ growing and changing needs. Here I am not just talking about government and community agencies providing help but about encouraging individuals and families to assist newcomers. I can remember growing up how my parents sponsored many of our family members to immigrate and helped many people in our community get jobs and find housing.
I know that organizations have come together as part of PNSG collaborative to create a community plan for improving services to newcomers in Peel. This community plan can inform immigration funding decisions made by all levels of government and help the community make better use of existing and available funding.
Q: There is a growing consensus about the need for settlement service coordination and planning to meet the changing patterns of immigration. In your opinion, what steps can be taken to address the issues related to service coordination and planning?
A: Governments, mainstream service providers, and immigrant serving agencies need to work more closely together. The current system has been in place for decades and it needs to work better.
I believe we need a permanent Peel wide immigration planning body that will develop a co-ordinated plan for immigration services in Peel and help put it into practice in partnership with settlement and mainstream agencies. With PNSG, we already have something like a planning body, but ongoing financial support from senior governments is needed to keep it in place. The community plan that the PNSG Collaborative is developing should help guide the immigration funding and policy decisions made by senior levels of government.
I also believe that governments and agencies need to regularly review their programs so that programs are not duplicated and that we spend limited tax dollars wisely. We also need to evaluate these programs by tracking results to see if these programs are meeting their goals.
Q: How do you see regional government responding to the growing demand of services related to newcomer settlement and integration?
A: Let me first be clear that the Region does not have the mandate to provide what are considered “settlement services” like language classes and orientation to newcomers. But the services we do provide help newcomers to integrate into our community.
The Region recently completed a series of immigration discussion papers. These papers showed that except for language and settlement services, newcomers’ service needs were not different from the general population. What is important is whether these services are available, accessible, and adequate. How governments and community groups deliver services is important. Going forward, we need to ask, “How can we make our Regional services more accessible to all and is the Region considering the needs of newcomers when designing or redesigning services and developing new programs?”
The Region also has shown leadership on integrating newcomers through a number of recent initiatives. I’ve already mentioned our Immigration Discussion Papers that Citizenship and Immigration Canada funded. The Region will be sharing the papers’ findings with key community stakeholders. These papers will inform them of newcomers’ needs as they co-ordinate, develop and design services and initiatives.
The Region of Peel has built an excellent municipal immigration website, through the generous funding of the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. This website provides newly arrived immigrants and immigrants thinking of coming to Peel with information about the labour market, job preparedness and opportunities, community and government services, and the challenges they may face.
As well, we have completed and released the results of the Peel Immigration Labour Market Survey. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities funded this study. This unique survey contains recommendations targeted to employers, government and community groups. Survey results show that although immigrants have higher levels of education than the Canadian born population, they have lower employment rates, incomes and career satisfaction scores. Once in the workforce, they are not using their skills to their full potential. The Region will be working with its community partners (e.g. the local Boards of Trade, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, TRIEC) to address the issues identified in the study. The Region plans to use the survey recommendations and the discussion papers to inform the design, development and delivery of its own employment services.
Also, the Region’s Corporate Diversity Strategy now has a higher profile at the Region of Peel. For the last four years, the strategy focused on raising awareness among staff and celebrating diversity among staff and clients. The Strategy will now focus on Regional processes and services to make sure there is mutual respect among staff, and that hiring and promotion better reflects our growing diversity and our services are more accessible.
The Region also supports newcomers by bringing the municipal view to immigration discussions with other levels of government. As part of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Region of Peel sits at several tables with the federal government and province to provide input into newcomer policies and programs.
Peel Newcomer Strategy Group has officially presented the vision of a new model entitled Newcomer Settlement and Inclusion in Peel: Building on Existing Assets on June 16, 2010 at a community forum.
More than 175 community stakeholders representing all sectors of the community -- newcomers, settlement agencies, community and faith-based organizations, policy-makers, government officials, educational institutions, boards of trade, municipalities and funders -- attended the event and provided their feedback on the proposed model.
The vision of this new model includes the creation of a network of coordinated one-stop services for newcomers, building on existing assets and expertise. Guided and inspired by four key principles -- strengthened service coordination and planning across the region; accessible, client-centered services for all newcomers; a continuum of effective employment strategies; and enhanced receptivity of the host community -- this new vision is expected to improve the settlement and inclusion of newcomers in the Peel community.
PNSG’s two-year research, analysis and discussion with the community confirmed the need for service coordination. Settlement organizations are providing valuable services to the newcomers. Some of these organizations have valuable areas of specialization: such as women abuse. The research also confirmed existing services do not fully address many barriers, resulting in unemployment, poverty, social exclusion, inadequate and unaffordable housing and poor health.
Key elements of the vision of this model include establishment of community hubs/networks, use of existing services, a no wrong door approach, a central planning table, and delivering appropriate services related to employment and career development. The implementation of the new model should take place in ongoing consultations with the settlement sector to ensure full utilization of existing assets.
“The community’s vision of a new model is a milestone in our collective efforts of creating opportunities for newcomers so that they can maximize their potential in a fair and supportive environment,” says Shelley White, PNSG’s Co-Chair and CEO of United Way of Peel Region. “We believe, this new vision will effectively strengthen our community’s efforts of making Peel Region a centre of excellence in newcomer settlement and inclusion.”
Janet Menard, PNSG’s Co-Chair and Commissioner of Human Services of the Regional Municipality of Peel, says, “As a community, our task now is to translate the proposed vision of a new model into reality and we believe community partners will continue to work hard to get there.”
To inform future work, the PNSG collaborative has convened eight working groups comprised of 103 members who are well informed about the infrastructure, labour market, polices and processes of the settlement sector. The working groups represent the following thematic areas:
“On a daily basis newcomers land in Peel Region; they attend language classes, meet with settlement workers, search for gainful employment and aspire to settle, integrate and simply be a Canadian in a country of opportunities. I believe this vision of a new model can help newcomers and their families realise their aspirations,” says PNSG Director Laureen Rennie.
For detailed reports on the vision of this new model, please visit Peel Newcomer Strategy Group’s website at: www.peelnewcomer.org
Sections of the participants at the Community Forum on June 16, 2010
These are exciting times in Peel Region! With the development of the vision of a new model for newcomer settlement and inclusion in Peel, the PNSG Collaborative has reached a milestone in its efforts to create opportunities for newcomers so that they can maximize their potential in the community and the labour market. As partners in this initiative, the United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel are humbled by the level of passion displayed by key stakeholders including settlement and mainstream service-providers, businesses, newcomers and governments to improve settlement and integration outcomes and foster a welcoming community in the Peel Region.
We are delighted that under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the Peel settlement sector and community partners have utilized the opportunity to work with all tiers of government – municipal, provincial and federal – in planning local solutions to address immigrant settlement and integration in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
The high level of community engagement and contribution towards a shared vision for newcomer settlement and labour market integration have truly been overwhelming, though not surprising given our region’s long history of partnership and community collaboration. Active participation was evident from the very beginning: When the United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel first convened a stakeholders’ planning meeting in 2006 to discuss collective concerns surrounding local immigration challenges, direct input was received from more than 136 participants. Three years into Peel’s local immigration partnership initiative, stakeholders continue to demonstrate their commitment to the community’s vision by participating in all aspects of the work including research, community consultations, information forums, working groups and steering committee meetings. This level of engagement is a true testament to one of Peel’s greatest assets: determination of implementing a broad range of quality services that are accessible and most importantly coordinated to meet the varied needs of some 27,000 newcomers, who call Peel their home each year.
The PNSG Collaborative is committed to working with all partners and stakeholders to build on existing efforts and utilize the community’s assets to improve service coordination and to fill identified gaps. We strongly believe that through shared resources, service-standards and best practices, the settlement sector and the Peel Region as a whole will be able to fully utilize available resources and optimize investments.
But let us be clear. This work is not easy and without challenges. If it was, Peel would not be among the first in our country brave enough to take it on. Our work is not about highlighting gaps and deficiencies. Rather, it is about focusing on what is possible for newcomers if we put them at the centre of our vision and commit to action plans that get us the best results.
We believe, the Peel settlement sector has the right ingredients to lead the way in Canada and each one of you must be part of the solution. We believe that you, our partners, have the courage and are up to the challenge.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the PNSG stakeholders and partners – immigrants, non-profit and settlement services organizations, community and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, businesses, Boards of Trade, policy-makers, government officials and funders – for invaluable involvement and support in the consultations and the development of the vision of this new model.
We would like to thank Citizenship and Immigration Canada for funding the PNSG local immigration partnership and the CIC staff for being part of the overall process. We also extend our appreciation to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration for providing the opportunity through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA) for municipalities like Peel Region to engage in a tri-government solution-focused partnership to address local immigration challenges.
A special thank you to the members of the PNSG Steering Committee for working tirelessly to effect positive changes to our settlement sector and the lives of newcomers in our community. We would also like to thank the PNSG staff: Evelyn Myrie (past director), Sathya Gnaniah, Nikesh Amit, Monica McPherson and Joan Robertson for their hard work, contribution and dedication. And we welcome Laureen Rennie to the team as the new Director and look forward to working with her as we continue the journey ahead.
We look forward to the PNSG Collaborative’s continued work as well as participation, open dialogue and feedback from all of our settlement sector and community partners as we collectively work to achieve the community’s vision: The successful inclusion of newcomers into all aspects of the community, embracing everyone’s contribution and ensuring well being for all.
Back to Tabe of Contents
The Peel Immigration Labour Market Survey is the first study ever conducted that provides local data on the labour market in Peel, and more specifically, how immigrants are faring in finding employment. The short answer: not as well as Canadian-born counterparts.
In general, respondents are positive about their places of work. They reported positive co-worker relations, felt treated fairly by managers, and reported fair advancement processes and high commitment to their jobs. For immigrant respondents, the study show a significant occupational change from managerial and professional positions into sales and service and manual/trades jobs after arrival. And despite having their education and experience assessed prior to immigration, skilled-worker principal applicants are not more likely to be employed, are not earning more income nor are they able to find employment in jobs that utilize their skills.
In the sample of 1,425 immigrants and Canadian-born Peel residents surveyed:
The study also offers comparisons between immigrants and Canadian-born workers in the private and public sectors. The table below provides the scores of respondents based on seven perceptual measures. Overall, immigrants are faring slightly better in the public sector which includes: Government, Not-for-profit Organizations, Hospitals, and Academic Institutions.
The key findings outlined in the study suggest that there is a lot of talent going to waste in the Peel community among various groups of workers, especially immigrants; and these are workers who demonstrate eagerness and loyalty to their employers. There are several areas where action can be taken to help improve the situation.
Community Organizations:
Private and Public Sector Employers:
All Levels of Government:
The study was funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and conducted in collaboration with Ryerson’s Diversity Institute in Management and Technology.
The complete report of survey findings is available at www.peelregion.ca/labourmarketsurvey. For more information contact: Norm McLeod, Manager of Strategic Policy & Research, Norm.Mcleod@peelregion.ca; or call 905 791-7800 ext 4931.
With over ten years of national-level experience in financial services, including an eight-year term with the highest regulatory authority in her home country where she monitored the financial health of companies with assets exceeding US$2 billion, she is also a skilled immigrant seeking opportunities to connect with our local workforce.
She is Karen Brown, a client of ACCES Employment Services, Brampton, a mentee of the Mentoring Partnership program – and now, a 2009 Mentee of the Year award recipient.
The annual awards, now in its fourth year, honour exceptional participants of TRIEC’s Mentoring Partnership program. This year’s recipients include mentors-of-the-year John Phelan of the Regional Municipality of Halton and Carrie Samuels of The Align Group, mentees-of-the-year Kenneth Chiguvare and Brown, and special achievement award recipient Michael Schafler of Fraser Milner Casgrain.
“This year’s winners exemplify the difference that can be made through one-on-one professional relationships between skilled immigrants and established Canadian colleagues,” says Elizabeth McIsaac, executive director of TRIEC. “These success stories underscore the immense value of mentoring as a critical stepping stone that helps skilled immigrants find the right job.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to be a mentor since 2005 and I have never met anyone of Karen’s calibre,” said Jasmine Tehara of TD Bank Financial Group, who was Karen’s mentor and nominated Karen for the award.
With Tehara’s counsel, Brown developed a strategic networking approach to present her professional acumen in a way that would be relevant in a Canadian context. Brown jumped at every chance for an information interview. She secured a job shadowing opportunity, and volunteered to gain Canadian experience.
It worked. Brown is now a senior business analyst with TD Bank Financial Group.
With the support of over 50 corporate partners and 12 community partners, The Mentoring Partnership has connected close to 5,000 skilled immigrants with a Canadian professional and network – both critical elements of a skilled immigrant’s job search.
