About the project: Laying the Foundation for Welcoming Communities
The NWRWC is envisioned as a collaborative effort bringing together diverse community stakeholders to develop a strategic plan that addresses the unique needs of newcomers. Our aim is to strengthen existing partnerships, improve communication and coordination across various sectors, and cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout Northwest Manitoba. This project is supported by the North West Regional ZIP feasibility study funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).Core Objectives
Why A ZIP Partnership
Potential Focus Areas
Vision:
To see the Northwest Manitoba region recognized as a collection of welcoming and inclusive communities for newcomers, where the host community actively participates in adapting to ensure successful settlement and integration.Mission:
To facilitate opportunities for the successful long-term settlement and integration of immigrants and newcomers within the Northwest Manitoba region through coordination, collaboration, and community engagement.Geographic Reach:
We proudly serve the communities of Swan Valley, The Pas, Thompson, and Flin Flon in Northwest Manitoba. This regional approach allows us to address the interconnected needs and opportunities within our zone.
Core Objectives: Working Towards a Welcoming Northwest
The NWRWC is designed to fulfill four key objectives:- This is a list, which styles each “List Item” individually (unlike utilizing a Looper as with some of our other list Elements).
- Support better coordination in the planning and delivery of integration services across multiple sectors.
- Provide a framework to facilitate collaboration and develop and implement community-based strategic plans.
- Achieve improved outcomes as indicated by increased economic, social, political, and civic participation by newcomers.
Proposed Structure: A Collaborative Network
To effectively achieve our goals, we envision a robust and collaborative structure:NWRWC Host Organization: North West Regional Immigrant Services (NWRIS) will serve as the host organization, holding the Contribution Agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Management Committee: Responsible for budget and financial oversight.
NWRWC Director: Will oversee the development and operation of the ZIP.
Community Coordinators: Located in key communities to provide local leadership.
NWRWC Partnership Council: Our overarching governance body for strategic decision-making. Membership will include representatives from various sectors and communities.
Executive Committee: Providing guidance and support to the NWRWC Director.
Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT): Composed of immigrants and newcomers with lived experience to provide valuable insights.
Sub-Committees: Addressing region-specific concerns and developing local projects.
Sector Tables: Focusing on specific sectors like employment, housing, and language training to coordinate efforts.
Working Groups: Flexible groups formed to address emerging needs and specific priorities.
Why a Zonal Immigration Partnership for Northwest Manitoba?
The establishment of the NWRWC is vital for the region because:- It will address the critical challenges of attracting and retaining newcomers, essential for meeting our region's labour market demands. “Stakeholder surveys indicated that 100% of respondents believe that newcomers are important for the economic and community development goals of the communities in this study.”
- It will create a formal and coordinated structure for stakeholders from various sectors (including business and industry, community services, education, ethnocultural community groups, faith-based groups, health, housing, Indigenous organizations, justice/policing, and all levels of government) to discuss and address immigration-related issues. Currently, no formal coordinated, and multi-sectoral projects exist to develop strategies for welcoming, settling, and integrating newcomers in our region.
- It will build bridges across different sectors and organizations to create a shared vision for welcoming newcomers and fostering a sense of belonging. Most respondents agreed that collaboration among diverse sectors is necessary for creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
- It will support the integration of a growing number of newcomers from diverse backgrounds. North West Regional Immigrant Services has welcomed newcomers from 33 countries.
- It will leverage the knowledge and lived experience of newcomers through the Immigrant Advisory Table.
- It has the potential to lead to more consistent, innovative, and relevant programs and services for newcomers across the region.
- Ultimately, it will contribute to the economic and community development goals of Northwest Manitoba.
Potential Focus Areas: Addressing Key Needs
Based on feedback from our initial stakeholder survey, the NWRWC may focus on the following key areas:- Newcomer employment and workplace integration.
- Newcomer attraction and retention.
Supports and services for newcomer children and youth.
Addressing issues unique to small centres/communities and rural areas.
Language learning opportunities for newcomers.
- Education and training opportunities for newcomers.
- Fostering Indigenous and newcomer relationships.
- Civic engagement of newcomers.
- Newcomer access to health care services.
- Improve public education and awareness of newcomers.
- Improved community services for newcomers.
Challenges and Our Commitment
We acknowledge that forming a Zonal Immigration Partnership across a vast geographical region presents challenges, such as ensuring representation and coordination across communities. However, these challenges also represent significant opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The NWRWC is committed to finding effective solutions to ensure inclusivity and representation from all corners of Northwest Manitoba.Call to Action: A Promising Future
A welcoming community is a place where newcomers feel they belong and where their economic, socio-cultural, and civic-political integration is supported. It requires a collective effort and the establishment of structures, processes, and practices that meet the needs and promote the inclusion of newcomers in all aspects of community life. The NWRWC aims to actively work towards ensuring these conditions are effective and sustainable in our region. Be a partVolunteer With Us
Empower Communities and Drive Change Through Your Passion and SkillsApply Online