Immigration, Integration and Welcoming Communities: Neighbourhood-based Initiative to Facilitate the Integration of Newcomers in Calgary
Abstract
Despite the fact that municipalities are primary recipients of immigrants to Canada, they almost have no formal role in developing immigration and integration policies and programs. As such, they are primarily left or kept out of the current model of immigration and integration governance. Since immigration and integration are not stand-alone issues, they require partnership and collaboration involving multiple levels of government and community partners. This study explores municipal roles in immigrant settlement and integration. More specifically it explores how the City of Calgary has worked closely with community partners at the neighbourhood level in developing a hub model of community-based initiatives that engage various organizations as well as newcomers and established community members in using a holistic, multifaceted and collaborative approach for creating warmer and more welcoming communities, inclusive spaces, and innovative and progressive programs needed for facilitating the settlement and integration of newcomers.
Notes
Gaps identified
NA
Key populations
Community organizations
Key recommendations
Municipal government and community partners should work collectively to create inclusive space toward a welcoming community for newcomers
Key findings
Calgary is becoming more ethno-culturally diverse as a result of growing immigration, and that Calgary’s northeast and northwest are likely the most culturally diverse quadrants of the city as manifested in the changing demographics and the ethnic composition of recent immigrants to the communities.
In the process of facilitating immigrant settlement and integration, the City of Calgary has worked closely with community partners in developing a hub model of community-based integration programs that engage newcomers and established community members in working together to eliminate barriers to the successful settlement and integration of newcomers.
Community organizations
Edgemont Community Centre in Northwest Calgary and the Genesis Centre in Northeast Calgary
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA
Open-access – No