Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership

08/27/2026

Join us for the opening of the Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival!

The festival runs throughout September and into October, bringing stories of migration, identity, home, and belonging. We’re kicking things off with a free online screening of Your Country, My Country, a short film by Marquise Lepage.

📅 September 10, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:15 PM
💻 Online | Free

Following the screening, join us for a short conversation exploring belonging, home, and the different perspectives that shape our communities.

Everyone is welcome. Come for the film, stay for the conversation.
Register now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/your-country-my-country-tickets-1998380201979

08/17/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now!
Find updates on immigration, upcoming events, and resources, all in one place.
🔗 Read the full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4xQ8FZo

New in this issue:
- Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival returns this September
- Less than a month until Welcoming Week!
- March of 1.000 Umbrellas
- Be part of the YMCA's Mentorship Program
- Service Canada webinars coming up in September!
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) seeking feedback on 2027 economic priorities
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation is accepting applications for the National Anti-Racism Fund
- Cultural Competency Training by PCHS
- Waterloo Region Community Foundation funding streams are currently accepting applications
- Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is now accepting applications
- Events & news
And so much more!

08/12/2026

We did it!

Last spring, we launched the Immigrant Survey 2026, with a goal of hearing from 2,000 people born outside of Canada in Waterloo Region. And you helped us surpass that goal!

The survey received over 2,000 responses, representing 45% more responses than in 2023.
Since the survey closed, our team has been working hard to clean and analyze the data, and that work will continue over the coming months. We’re looking forward to sharing the initial findings and more detailed reports as they become available.

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experiences, perspectives and ideas with us. This achievement was truly a community effort, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you to our team, partners, ambassadors and everyone who helped spread the word and encouraged people to participate.
A special shout out to Dan Vandebelt for leading both the Immigrant Survey and the Youth Impact Survey, and for guiding and supporting us every step of the way.

08/04/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now!
Find updates on immigration, upcoming events, and resources, all in one place.
🔗 Read the full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4xcwxWG

New in this issue:
- Waterloo Region Immigrant Survey update
- HEAR Initiative Launches Study on the Future of Rural Communities in Ontario
- Region of Waterloo Children's Services is developing its 2027-2031 Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan and is seeking your feedback
- Are you a talented artist, performer, leader, or visionary? Applications for the Majdi Bou-Matar Bursary are open
- Learn how employers can apply for funding to train their employees, update their skills and help Ontarians find new jobs
- Events and news
And so much more!

07/23/2026

07/20/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now!
Find updates on immigration, upcoming events, and resources, all in one place.
🔗 Read the full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3TvufmR

New in this issue:
- Save the Date: Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival returns this fall
- Looking Ahead: Welcoming Week 2026
- Be the heart of the Festival: Volunteer at MFE 2026!
- Primary Care Connect Clinic Now Open
- Nominations for the P2P 2026 Jean McRae Legacy Award are now open!
- Events and news
And so much more!

07/20/2026

Just two weeks to go until The Workforce Is Changing… Now What? employer session!

This virtual workshop will begin with a labour market snapshot and future workforce outlook by Charlene Hofbauer, CEO

We're also pleased to introduce the moderators who will be leading the breakout conversations:
1. Reducing Hiring Risks in a Changing Immigration Landscape
Moderated by Nicholas Docherty, MBA, RCIC, Paralegal (P1), Project Assistant, Guelph Wellington Local Immigration Partnership
2. Hiring in Today's Labour Market: What's Working?
Moderated by Jennie DiGirolamo Di Girolamo, Talent Liaison Lead, Workplace & Immigrant Network
3. We Don't Have Time to Train: Practical Onboarding & Retention
Moderated by Sandra Dalziel, Executive Leadership Architect and Organizational Development Professional
4. Building Workplaces Where People Want to Stay
Moderated by Dina Zaki, RCIC, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist, City Of Guelph
5. Navigating Through Uncertainty
Moderated by Ian McLean, President & CEO, Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

July 29, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
The waitlist is now open: https://lnkd.in/gEKBtZFv

This event is intended for employers and employer representatives.

Hosted in partnership with the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership.

Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

07/20/2026

Welcoming communities are built through connection, culture and moments where everyone feels seen, included and heard.

Welcoming Week 2026 is coming back in September, and we’re inviting organizations to help us celebrate community and belonging!

Do you have an event, activity or gathering that brings community together? Register your event and be part of this year’s celebration.

📅 September 10–19, 2026
📲 Visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TUEM4SlOtrjkYuED3rMdtyuL2xlgNyVK-YeVkwqsxVU/edit?tab=t.0 =h.oqc6p6htz8v or scan the QR code to register you event!

Questions? Connect with Abiha at [email protected]

07/07/2026

In case you missed it last week!

As the FIFA World Cup brings people together across the globe, Lucia Harrison, CEO of the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre
and Tara Bedard, Executive Director of the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, explore what the tournament and the KW Multicultural Festival have in common: the power of diversity, belonging, and community.

🔗 Read the full op-ed: https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/the-world-cup-shows-us-the-real-magic-of-multiculturalism/article_931eaecc-32af-5126-8581-d1c5da4331af.html