More programs and events are planned to welcome new Canadians to Brantford.
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A Service Canada outreach program, financial literacy for new Canadians and a ‘Taste of Brantford’ cooking series are some examples of what the Brantford Immigrant Partnership is working on for 2024.
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Details of the partnership, which began in 2020, are included in a report presented to city councilors at a recent committee meeting.
The partnership includes representatives from 40 different organizations including health, social services, education, business and cultural groups. The list of organizations includes, among others, SOAR, formerly St. Leonard’s Community Services, Wilfrid Laurier University, Willowbridge Community Services, the city and YMCA Settlement Service Brantford.
Past events include Newcomer Welcome Day at Mohawk Park and development of Pieces for Peace, which was created in partnership with the Brantford Muslim Association.
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Held for the first time in November 2023, Pieces for Peace gave participants an opportunity to share insight into misunderstood elements of cultures, identities and beliefs. As well, participants shared stories about adapting to a new language and culture and adjusting to a new environment.
This year’s Pieces for Peace session, held May 17 Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, focused on stories from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The partnership also includes the Ukrainian Relief Working Group, which was developed to help Ukrainian nationals with housing, employment, integration and settlement. The efforts started in March 2022 following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
According to the report, 500 Ukrainian nationals have arrived and settled in Brantford.
The report says YMCA Settlement Services provided assistance to 1,296 new clients in 2023. The new arrivals came from several countries including India, Syria, Afghanistan, Philippines, Iraq, Nigeria, Mexico and Jamaica as well as Ukraine.
Meanwhile, 15,780 people or 15.3 per cent of the city’s population identified as a visible minority, up from 9,495 or 9.8 per cent of the population in 2016.
The 2021 Canadian Census recorded the city’s population at 104,688, up from 98,563 in 2016.
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