A Roadmap to Supporting Newcomers to Canada

The P2P 2024 National Conference, themed "Supporting Newcomers to Canada: A Roadmap to Inclusive Collaboration for Collective Impact," recently brought together thought leaders and service providers, including settlement and community organizations, to explore effective strategies for supporting immigrants and refugees on their journey to integration. Through a series of insightful discussions, workshops, roundtables, and presentations, the conference highlighted how cross-sector partnerships can drive the collective impact needed to empower newcomers. By sharing innovative solutions and best practices, the event emphasized fostering collaboration across various sectors to create more inclusive environments, ensuring newcomers have the tools, resources, and networks they need to thrive in Canadian society.

Digital Equity Research in Peel Region

CWICE representatives were able to present during a conference workshop about the Digital Equity Collaborative Research Project. This project was undertaken by partner organizations including Peel Multicultural Council (PMC), the Child Welfare Immigration Center of Excellence (CWICE), and led by Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) of United Way Greater Toronto. The community-based research project, conducted in 2024, explored digital access to settlement services for newcomers in the Peel Region. The project aimed to understand barriers to access and examine newcomers' experiences, particularly how they interact with both digital and in-person services. Ultimately, the project seeks to inform service improvements by identifying access challenges and evaluating the impact of digital delivery on the settlement experience, ensuring that services meet the diverse needs of newcomers.

Members of the Digital Equity Research team presented alongside Code for Canada at the P2P Conference, providing valuable insights into the experiences of both newcomers in Peel and the service providers supporting them. We showcased how addressing digital literacy can pave the way for greater social and economic integration, as well as full participation of newcomers in Canadian society. Code for Canada’s presentation highlighted digital maturity across Halton and Peel Regions, emphasizing how well-prepared settlement and community organizations are to embrace the digital transformations which enable organizations improve service delivery.

The project also highlighted how closing the technological gap and addressing inaccessibility to digital services are crucial for ensuring that newcomers can fully participate in all aspects of Canadian life, from accessing healthcare and education to finding employment and connecting with their communities. It not only sparked crucial discussions on the intersection of technology and immigration but also demonstrated the collective power of cross-sector collaboration in fostering more inclusive communities.

Insights and Lessons Learned

The panel presentation offered attendees invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with creating inclusive access to digital settlement services for newcomers. The project is a testament to the positive outcomes that can be achieved when organizations work together toward a common goal. Through collaboration, PMC, Peel CAS’ CWICE, led by PNSG, were able to identify key digital barriers in accessing services and recommend effective solutions to bridge the divide. The lessons learned from this initiative are far-reaching and offer a model for other regions and organizations aiming to foster digital inclusion and equity. These insights will help shape future policies, programs, and services designed to support newcomer populations across Canada, ensuring they have access to the digital tools necessary for success.

Continuing the Journey of Inclusion

The lessons learned from the conference, particularly those related to digital equity, will continue to inform future strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting the successful integration of newcomers. By building on the partnerships and insights shared at the event, stakeholders can drive change, ensuring that newcomers have the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in Canada.

The P2P 2024 National Conference has not only provided a platform for sharing knowledge but also laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration that will shape the future of newcomer integration in Canada. As we look forward, the collective impact of these efforts will be vital in creating a more inclusive, digitally connected, and prosperous future for all.

We look forward to sharing the full research report in the coming weeks!

Links:

Schedule | P2P 2024 National Conference - Conférence nationale 2024 de VVP

About the Author:

Ghezal Wallid is a Data and Research Coordinator at Peel CAS in the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE). She holds a Master of Development Policy from the Korea Development Institute (KDI). Ghezal has over 5 years of experience in the humanitarian and social services sectors. She has experience working with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and CORDAID to create a safe, positive, and caring environment for the community, with expertise in coordinating program and response plans and researching evidence-based practices and interventions to improve the quality of services to the vulnerable. In her current role, Ghezal focuses on leveraging data-driven solutions to enhance child welfare practices and outcomes at Peel CAS.