Supporting Newcomers & Refugees

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Supporting Newcomers & Refugees Q&A with the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson As Canada’s 26th Governor General, how did that experience transform your life?

can become Governor General as well.

That is our country’s meaning — everybody will have access to everything we The most important thing about being have all worked for.

Governor General was that I was able to I particularly enjoyed our state meet Canadians all over the country. visits to circumpolar countries like That was heartwarming and gratifying.

Russia, Finland, and Iceland because Our trips always lasted at least five days we brought many of our top artists, in any region. In my television career, business people, and Indigenous I travelled a great deal leaders to meet their through the country. I counterparts. We also had fallen in love with wanted to show Canada the Arctic and Canada’s as a real place with a North on two small real culture: francoMy message to phone, anglophone, excursions there. So anyone who comes and Indigenous. From as Governor General, to Canada is to have it was a privilege to be my 30 years in telea dream and to work able to visit the North vision, I knew many hard to fulfill it. You often and make it a people, and I was happy can encourage your theme for my mandate. to bring them together children with that The most important and help make people dream by the example memory of my time is understand that our of working hard. meeting all the Peoples culture and way of in our northern comlife are important and munities, in Nunavut, valid. That’s why I Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. wanted to showcase what we have that Camping with the Dene on the Mackenis unique and as people who have made zie River and sleeping in a long house an extraordinary contribution to living with the Haida were memories that are in the northern hemisphere. very precious and unforgettable. I consider these travels in the North a very What's the inspiration behind the Institute for Canadian Citizenship important part of being Canadian. We initiative and the Canoo app? have to learn about the North to be the I’ve always lived in Toronto within kind of country we were meant to be.

Also, as the first refugee, immia kilometre of the Royal Ontario grant, and Chinese to become Governor Museum, so I was familiar with General, I hope I’ve been able to open seeing yellow school buses that offered museum tours to children. I often wonthe door to others so that people who were not born in Canada and have dered whether their parents working become Canadian can hope that they on shift jobs or assembly lines would

C This article was supported by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

ever have the chance to visit these cultural institutions, which their taxes pay for. And that was the beginning of Canoo, which we called the Cultural Access Pass initially. It allowed people with families of up to four children to go to cultural institutions and national parks for free for one year as soon as they became Canadian citizens. I wanted people to feel that they have access to everything we are and have created as a country, and that there was no barrier to their seeing all things Canadians see and take for granted.

It’s been an enormous success; we’ve now had nearly half a million people go through the program. We’re also expanding so that performing arts are included, and there will be other dimensions in the future.

What's your message for newcomers to Canada?

My message to anyone who comes to Canada is to have a dream and to work hard to fulfill it. You can encourage your children with that dream by the example of working hard. I would also urge people to enjoy nature by learning to use our wonderful wilderness, to canoe and kayak, and learn to fish and swim. We have many accessible wilderness parks, and our familiarity with nature as Canadians sets us apart from any other country. And the future will require a great deal of care about the environment. And nature is where it begins. It’s so important that we all have access to nature, understand it, and consider it a part of the web of life.

Canoo offers the Best of Canada to Millions of Newcomers for Free

anoo (canoo.ca) is Canada’s only national welcome network for newcomers.

By eliminating the cost and knowledge barriers for newcomer families at all income levels to access museums, science centres, galleries, national and provincial parks, and other cultural sites with their children, Canoo proves to newcomers that Canada respects and values them. Slogans are cheap — Canoo is tangible evidence that Canada believes in newcomers.

A unique model in the world, eligible newcomers can download the Canoo

app and begin their one-year membership to experience the best of Canada for themselves or with their children.

Thanks to Canoo’s partners, Canoo members have unlimited visits for one year to major museums and galleries in the country, access to sports matches, performance arts, festivals, and more.

Members can also use Canoo to plan their trips using our travel discounts with partners such as VIA Rail and Air Canada, and then visit our Canoo partners at their destination.

Increasingly, Canoo is also getting members to dance and move outdoors.

With free and discounted access to large-scale concerts and activities such as skiing and rowing, Canoo members can discover and enjoy Canada’s outdoors barrier-free. Members also have unlimited free access to our park partners, such as Parks Canada (which also offers free Learn-to Camp and row lessons), Ontario Parks, Saskatchewan Parks, Alberta Parks, and more.

All newcomers with permanent resident status within their first five years of residency and citizens within their first year of citizenship can download the Canoo app and become members.

New to Canada?

Download the Canoo app here.

Want to partner with Canoo? Email us at canoo@inclusion.ca.

LOOKING FOR WORK? WE CAN HELP! You belong in a job that reflects your skills and experience.

ACCES Employment will give you the support, coaching, and connections you need to realize your full potential and make a lasting impact in your new job.

Contact us at 416.921.1800 to get started. accesemployment.ca Publisher: Bryan Bilas Business Development Manager: Karim Jooma Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw, Lauren Livingston Lead Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM

Here’s What Makes the City of Markham a Great Place to Live, Work, and Grow The City of Markham is a great place to live and work, and it’s becoming a magnet for global talent and entrepreneurs.

Tania Amardeil

L Sobi Ragunathan Co-Founder & Vice-President of Operations, Strategy, and Partnerships, 4S Consulting Services

ocated in the centre of the GTA, the City of Markham is one of Canada’s fastest-growing and culturally diverse cities. It has become a hub for innovation, driven by next-generation technology and knowledge-based industries. Thanks to the city’s high-quality infrastructure and amenities, thriving knowledge economy, and business-supportive environment, it’s consistently attracting global talent and enriching its social, economic, and cultural fabric.

A dynamic community

Keith Chang President, SenovvA

From its high-quality educational facilities and big-city amenities to its booming economy and ripe business landscape, Markham has established itself as a desirable global city that attracts significant investment and residents and offers substantial growth opportunities.

Markham’s excellent elementary and high schools — which rank amongst the best in Canada — are complemented by other high-quality learning institutes, including a new York University campus, which will open in 2024, and Canada’s largest college, Seneca College. This sets the groundwork for Markham’s flourishing knowledge economy and helps the city attract diverse talent.

Markham offers a high quality of life supported by well-built and safe community neighbourhoods with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a variety of cultural and entertainment amenities, including a vibrant new downtown. These offerings have attracted many newcomers.

and safety training, consulting, and online safety management system provider that employs about 70 people in Markham. “Ever since we moved our office to Markham, we have a great talent pool with a mix of ethnic groups and societal backgrounds, which benefits our business.”

Diversity as a core strength

Contributing to Markham’s success

Markham is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Canada.

About 78 per cent of the city’s residents are visible minorities, and about 59 per cent are foreign-born. The city’s recently updated Diversity Action Plan addresses diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, and anti-discrimination in all city efforts.

The city also partners with integration networks and agencies to support immigrants in settling into Markham’s community more successfully.

The entrepreneurial spirit, skills, and investment that immigrant entrepreneurs and talented professionals bring have significantly contributed to Markham’s success.

“M a rk h a m’s mu lt i c u lt u r a l ism makes the city unique,” says Sobi Ragunathan, Co-Founder and Vice-President of Operations, Strategy, and Partnerships at 4S Consulting Services, a leading occupational health

For business leaders like Ragunathan, Markham’s attraction includes not only its diverse talent pool but also the quality of life it offers.

“Markham is accessible, safe, and all ethnic backgrounds are embraced and celebrated here,” says Raghunathan.

Keith Chang, President of SenovvA, a live event and film production company, echoes this enthusiasm for putting down roots in Markham. “It’s a great place to live,” he says. “Markham has created a sense of community, and even though it has grown a lot, it hasn’t lost that community feeling.”

Business leaders like Ragunathan and Chang are making powerful contributions to the success of Markham as a community and economy.

Thanks to the city’s many attractive features, it keeps drawing more newcomers into its fold.

The City of Markham offers a high quality of life, businesssupportive environment, and significant employment opportunities that are supported by its thriving knowledge economy. Discover Markham at business. markham.ca.

This article was sponsored by the City of Markham.

Bright Futures Ahead: Newcomers Get the Right Supports At Achēv Achēv is proud to provide newcomers to Canada with the support they need to successfully transition into their new lives.

Katherine Cappellacci

M Tonie Chaltas CEO, Achēv

oving to a new country is no small feat — refugees and immigrants who have relocated to Canada face various socioeconomic obstacles that can make the process seem overwhelming. It’s vital that they have access to the support they need from trusted organizations.

That’s why for over 30 years, Achēv has dedicated themselves to help newcomers achieve their full employment and settlement potential. “Newcomers are very motivated, hard-working, and many are highly educated,” says Tonie Chaltas, CEO of Achēv. “However, navigating the Canadian job market is complicated. We provide a hub of newcomer services, including career coaching, to make sure they’re primed and ready to apply for jobs.”

Some of the many services Achēv offers include language training, employment support, settlement assistance, and youth programs.

Staff help newcomers fast-track the adjustment process by teaching important employment skills like navigating job applications, writing Canadian resumes and cover letters, how to best highlight their skills,

and practicing interview techniques.

Getting help you need Newcomers get one-on-one career support and gain information about hiring events and job search workshops. They can also improve their English and French skills through language assessments, our online language classes and class referrals. Plus, there’s no charge for any services.

“Our job is to open doors people didn’t know existed and get them the information they didn’t know they needed,” Chaltas adds. With a staff that speaks over 52 languages, Achēv successfully helps more than 100,000 clients each year by offering accessible in-person, online, or hybrid-format services.

Jenan is a newcomer who arrived in Canada in 2020. She struggled to get a job because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economy.

Thankfully, Achēv was there to help her adjust.

“I appreciate all of Achēv’s efforts to help me and my three sons settle in Canada,” Jenan says. “I now have strong financial capabilities, and I’m very happy because my whole family

has benefited f rom t heir programs.”

Build the life you want Similarly, newcomer Shonelle worked hard with Achēv staff to secure the job she wanted as an analyst at Amazon.

“I’m super excited. This is a dream job for me,” explains Shonelle. “I’m so grateful to everyone at Achēv for helping me redo my resume, do several mock interviews to learn what employers want to know, and how to present myself in the interview process. Also, their words of encouragement kept me motivated, and sometimes that’s the most important thing you need.”

The largest provider of its kind in the GTA, Achēv offers both in-person and virtual services, with physical locations in Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Pickering, Richmond Hill, and Toronto. “We all understand the importance of providing the right advice, support and counsel to help newcomers at the right time,” says Chaltas.

To learn more, visit achev.ca.

This article was sponsored by Achēv.

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Get More Out of Life and Make a Move Up to North Bay The City of North Bay is an ideal place to call home for those looking for the perfect balance between urban and rural living.

T

he City of North Bay is a vibrant community nestled between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake in Ontario. Named by U-Haul as Canada’s No. 1 growth city two years in a row and spotlighted by MoneySense as Ontario’s No. 1 place to buy real estate, North Bay is the perfect location to live, work, play, and learn.

With a welcomi n g p o p u l a t ion of 52 ,6 62 (2 021 census), North Bay offers the best of both worlds in urban and rural living, delivering that big city feel of diversity and culture while maintaining the warmth of a connected and safe community.

North Bay is a wonderful city to raise a family, pursue an education, advance a career, and settle into retirement.

Community spirit Our community members share a common trait — a strong sense of pride in our region. From events and festivals to volunteer groups and services, community spirit flourishes in North Bay. It’s an area that’s as diverse as it is inclusive.

Residents can take advantage of stateof-the-art health care, specialty family services, retirement facilities, cultural associations, accessible transportation, technological infrastructure, and more.

Educational opportunities include English and French language curriculums for elementary and high school

and excellent college, university, and technical training institutions.

Employment opportunities North Bay is a wonderful city to raise a family, pursue an education, advance a career, and settle into retirement.

The local economy offers rewarding employment opportunities, while the truly Canadian landscape provides four distinct seasons of recreational activities and special events. Combining this with an average commute time of 15 minutes, North Bay offers an ideal balance of work and life.

The North Bay & District Multicultural Centre offers support to newcomers looking to build professional networks, make social connections, practice new languages, and learn more about the City of North Bay.

To learn more about life in North Bay, visit northbay immigration.ca.

This article was sponsored by the City of North Bay.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF NORTH BAY

MyConsultant.ca — Access Accurate Immigration Information with Ease The MyConsultant.ca platform offers a wealth of guidance, information, and aid to would-be immigrants to Canada, newcomers, and others with immigration questions.

Anne Papmehl

W Dory Jade CEO, CAPIC

hen you’re new to the country, getting correct information and advice on immigration can be a challenge. That’s why the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) developed the MyConsultant.ca platform — a virtual meeting space that provides aid and comprehensive information on Canadian immigration and citizenship. “We launched this project after learning that many immigrants or would-be immigrants to Canada were not being served properly,” says Dory Jade, CEO of CAPIC. “In fact, many were being wrongly advised by unauthorized practitioners (UAPs), which was putting their application process in jeopardy,” he says.

Qualified and licensed consultants One of the platform’s functions is connecting prospective immigrants, newcomers, and others seeking immigration advice with licensed con-

sultants who are members of CAPIC. “Being a member of CAPIC ensures that the consultant is qualified and licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) as

It’s important that people know that immigration consulting is a regulated profession, hence, it’s a criminal offence in Canada to provide paid immigration advice without being an Authorized Representative.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs),” says Jade.

Through MyConsultant.ca, visitors can connect with the right immigration consultant for their individual needs and concerns — by language, desired

immigration location, or specific immigration field and know they’re getting proper information and advice.

“It’s important that people know that immigration consulting is a regulated profession and that anyone providing this service as a UAP is in breach of the Criminal Code of Canada.”

In addition to a directory of over 4,700 immigration consultants and their profiles — both in Canada and overseas — MyConsultant.ca provides numerous resources and tools, ranging from daily news updates on important immigration issues to in-depth articles on immigration and citizenship, to answers to commonly asked questions. “It addresses all the things they need to do as a newcomer, like getting a provincial health card,” says Jade. There’s also a forum consumers can use to discuss relevant topics with other users and a YouTube channel with a weekly show featuring recent immigration news and interviews on topics of interest.

Visit MyConsultant.ca to connect with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

This article was sponsored by CAPIC.

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Move to Timmins for a Culturally Rich and Affordable Lifestyle

Seamless Banking Services Made Easier from India to Canada

Situated in northeastern Ontario, Timmins is a scenic city flourishing with opportunities for immigrants and refugees.

From mortgages to global money transfers, ICICI Bank Canada is helping immigrants start a new life.

Sabrina Seecharran

Michele Sponagle

A

s a newcomer to Canada, finding community, employment, and a safe place to establish your life are only a handful of the challenges experienced when deciding where to settle. The City of Timmins understands these needs and prioritizes investments in opportunities for individuals and families that foster a well-rounded lifestyle rich in culture and excitement.

Kristin Murray Mayor, City of Timmins

Olawale Oladapo Resident, City of Timmins

Learn more about building your life in Timmins at movetotimmins.ca.

This article was sponsored

by Timmins Economic Development Corporation.

Advantages of moving to Timmins as a newcomer to Canada The cost of living is less expensive in Timmins compared to larger cities across Canada, which makes it easier to achieve personal milestones such as building a family and buying a house.

Olawale Oladapo shares that he and his family achieved their personal goals faster living in Timmins after moving out of Toronto. With affordable housing options, their family was able to purchase a house within three years of living there, and his wife was able to complete her CPA designation.

Another aspect Olawale and his family appreciate is the cultural diversity in Timmins. There is a representation of people from all corners of the world in a tightly knit community. Residents are curious to learn about each other, which fosters an organic and unique blending of cultures.

R

ahul Singh came to Canada from Chandigarh, India, in 2016 as a permanent resident with hopes and dreams for a better lifestyle.

However, to begin his new life, he needed a bank account to meet his financial needs in Canada. He was pleased to learn that he could continue the relationship he began with ICICI Bank in India.

The Hello Canada program from ICICI Bank Canada is designed to assist immigrants like Singh open bank accounts and transfer up to C$100,000 while still living in India. Once Singh arrived in his new home country, he could activate his account and access his funds with help from staff at the Mississauga branch.

ICICI Bank Canada is a financial institution that's Indian at heart. It allows newcomers to maintain long banking relationships with unique offerings.

Get support settling in Timmins

Two homes, one bank

Timmins has multiple organizations dedicated to helping newcomers begin their lives up North. The Timmins & District Multicultural Centre and Collège Boréal Settlement Services provide individuals and their families with resources to assist their integration with the community. This In Timmins, includes connections to local serthere is a place vices and opportunities to meet for everyone. like-minded people.

Timmins is also one of 11 - Mayor Kristin Murray cities across Canada participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), a permanent residence program for skilled immigrants.

The City of Timmins offers endless opportunities for newcomers to live fulfilling lives.

ICICI Bank also shared information with him about its various services, including money transfers, mortgages, and non-resident Indian (NRI) referral services. In addition to assisting Singh with repaying a personal loan, they also set up a recurring money transfer for him to send funds to India at a competitive rate.

A few years later, Singh and his family were ready to take another important step — purchasing a dream home. The bank not only helped him to fund his mortgage requirement but also guided him on how to shift money gifted to him by his parents from India to Canada. During the pandemic, they also moved to Canada to live with their family and converted their resident accounts in India to non-resident ordinary (NRO) accounts.

ICICI Bank Canada is a financial institution that's Indian at heart. It allows newcomers to maintain long banking relationships with unique offerings.

Find out more by visiting icicibank.ca.

This article was sponsored

by ICICI Bank Canada.

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JUMP INTO KAWARTHA LAKES A Natural Paradise Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs For many Ontarians, retreating from city noise and suburban routine is what rejuvenates the mind and soul. Sitting lakeside, hiking trails, fishing, and visiting charming, small towns speckled along country roads is the ideal getaway to relax and recharge.

But for the 80,000 people who call the City of Kawartha Lakes home, this type of peace and tranquility is at the heart of a lifestyle experienced year-round, not only on holidays.

EXPERIENCE THE KAWARTHA LAKES LIFESTYLE Located 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, Kawartha Lakes is comprised of several small communities spread across a vast geographical area, separated by acres of rolling hills, farmland, and over 250 lakes and rivers.

Residents share a passion for outdoor leisure activities and attending vibrant cultural events, festivals, farmers’ markets, fairs, and quaint downtown shops and restaurants.

kawarthalakes.ca

3 PILLAR ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS

And lastly, the Innovation Cluster supports innovation and technology-driven companies through its 3 core programs: “CUBE” startup incubation program, “FastStart” student entrepreneurship program, and “STARTup Business owners and entrepreneurs in Kawartha Visa Program Canada” (SUV), a governmentLakes don’t have to commute out of the region accredited immigrant entrepreneurship for work due to the support they receive from program mentoring newcomers to launch three collaborative local organizations: City and grow businesses in the Kawartha Lakes, of Kawartha Lakes municipality, Kawartha granting successful clients a Letter of Support Lakes Community Futures Development so they can apply for a visa to permanently Corporation (“KLCFDC”), and Innovation Cluster move to the region.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas (“Innovation Cluster”).

JUMP INTO The City of Kawartha Lakes’ Economic Development program features the Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC), the first stop for small business advisory services and resources to guide entrepreneurs through the process of planning, starting, and growing a small business.

KLCFDC is a federally-supported program that provides strategic capital investments through multiple lending programs to small and medium-sized businesses in Kawartha Lakes. KLCFDC also provides support in the development of new technology, business models through one-on-one business counseling, workshops, and advisory services.

klcfdc.com

KAWARTHA LAKES

The City of Kawartha Lakes does not force you to decide between business and leisure, rather it encourages a lifestyle rooted in work-life balance. When you’re surrounded by fresh air, glistening waters, and a sky full of stars, it is hard to imagine why people would choose to live or work anywhere else.

Make the City of Kawartha Lakes your new home! Apply to STARTup Visa Program Canada today! innovationcluster.ca/startupvisa ALREADY HAVE A VISA? Contact Kawartha Lakes organizations to begin your journey!

innovationcluster.ca