Join us for a 2-part online forum to learn about how the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted immigration trends in Canada and the lives of im/migrants living on the North Shore. This Forum will offer your agency data about emerging immigration trends, information about the changing needs in our local im/migrant communities, and strategies for planning more accessible, inclusive services into the future.

This event is for North Shore community partners involved in planning and decision-making around services and for front-line staff and volunteers working directly with immigrants.

DAY 1: Tuesday Feb 2, 2021 (2:00 – 4:00pm)

Topic: Preparing your agency for the future: Anticipated immigration trends in Canada and on the North Shore

Participants will hear a keynote address from Dr. Daniel Hiebert, UBC Professor of Geography, regarding his research around pandemic migration patterns and how COVID-19 has impacted immigrant outcomes.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in one of the following two workshops:

1. Migrants and hidden populations on the North Shore: COVID-19 impacts on individuals with temporary status

How do we build our understanding of the experiences and needs of international students, visitors, refugee claimants and temporary workers? What are the policy and service implications for our work in the community?

Facilitators: Masha Rademakers, Settlement Lead (BCSIS) & Rosanna Ng, Settlement Worker - North Shore Multicultural Society

2. Exploring the Employment impacts of COVID-19: Compounded Complexities of Labour Market (re-)attachment for Im/migrants

How do we understand and respond to the economic impacts that im/migrants and their families have experienced during the pandemic? How do we think holistically about the implications for service organizations?

Facilitator: Lorelei Phillips, Manager of Settlement & Employment Programs - North Shore Multicultural Society

___

DAY 2: Thursday Feb 4, 2021 (9:30 – 11:30am)

Topic: COVID-19 and the Changing Needs of Im/migrants in our North Shore communities: Implications for Service Access & Community Attachment

Participants will hear a keynote address from Parampal Sharma, NSMS Director of Services, sharing the results from a recent NSMS client survey regarding service usage, community attachment and heightened vulnerabilities as a result of COVID-19 in our North Shore im/migrant communities.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in one of the following two workshops:

1. What We Don’t See: Acknowledging hidden poverty and vulnerabilities in im/migrant and racialized communities during COVID-19

How do we build our understanding of the multiple vulnerabilities in im/migrant communities, including mental health challenges, economic instability, and social isolation? What programming opportunities might service providers consider in response to these challenges?

Facilitators: Julia Kaisla, Executive Director - Canadian Mental Health Association (North & West Vancouver branch) & Marc Larrivee, Manager of SWIS Program - North Shore Multicultural Society

2. Opportunities and Challenges: Building capacity to meet the needs of North Shore im/migrants with low digital access and limited literacies

The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple barriers to supporting im/migrant communities with digital access challenges and literacy needs. How do we understand the service barriers facing im/migrants and families? What are some promising practices for increasing (re-)connection to services and community attachment?

Facilitators: Deb Hutchison Koep, Chief Librarian - North Vancouver City Library & Mikale Fenton, Manager of Public Services - North Vancouver City Library

The workshops will offer participants a chance to learn about promising practices in the area of inclusive service delivery and build networks for the purpose of enhanced service coordination. There will be a strong emphasis on facilitated Q & A and action-oriented conversation.

___

Date/Time:

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 (2:00pm – 4:00pm)

Thursday, February 4, 2021 (9:30am – 11:30am)

Online via Zoom

About Our Keynote Speakers

Dr. Daniel Hiebert

Daniel Hiebert is Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia. He has led large research projects on immigration and cultural diversity in Canada, and on the relationship between cultural diversity, human rights, and national security. Professor Hiebert has also participated in a variety of advisory positions in the Canadian government, including the Deputy Minister’s Advisory Council of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Research Advisory Committee of IRCC. He has also served as a member of committees informing the design of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada, and reviewing the process of demographic and migration statistical reporting. At the provincial level, he has worked closely with the government of British Columbia on its efforts to develop migration and integration policy. He has also served as Co-Chair of the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Working Committee on Immigration, and has worked closely with each of the major nongovernmental organizations that provide services to immigrants in Vancouver.

Parampal Sharma

As the Director of Services at NSMS, Parampal Sharma oversees the integrated service delivery of a wide range of federally and provincially-funded employment, language and settlement programs for immigrant and migrants on the North Shore. Prior to joining NSMS, Parampal led the establishment and implementation of Employment Centre services under the new WorkBC model in 2019. For over 2 decades, Parampal played a vital role at CANN, one of the two national port of entry programs in Canada. As the Senior Manager, she oversaw the delivery of services to over 1 million immigrants and refugees at the Vancouver International Airport. Under Parampal’s supervision, the program was recognized as a best practice for settlement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Parampal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (South Asian Studies) from UBC and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from RRU.

___

We are grateful to host this event on the ancestral, traditional, unceded territories of the Sḵw ̱xwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

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

**NSIIP is comprised of 35+ North Shore organizations supporting this event. Visit nsiip.ca for a full partners list.