"Welcoming Communities are places that have a strong desire to receive newcomers and where everyone works to create an environment within which newcomers feel at home." Esses et al.
About Us Lethbridge Immigration Partnership
Immigration has always been a part of Canada’s history, and brings vibrancy, diversity and economic growth with it. It is estimated that people from over 80 countries currently reside in the City of Lethbridge. Lethbridge has become home to over 1500 Bhutanese refugees and even more recently refugees from Syria, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan and other countries have made Lethbridge home.
Often, the first few years of a new immigrant’s life here can be a time of excitement. However, it can also be a time full of frustration and isolation, as newcomers navigate through many barriers such as a new language, unrecognized work experience and credentials, housing, new customs and new social rules and expectations. Many newcomers are also dealing with the scars of war and violence as well as grief and worry having left loved ones behind.
Lethbridge Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) is a community development initiative which officially began in June 2016. Funded by Immigrants Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) it is one of several LIP initiatives established in municipalities across Canada beginning in 2008, with more to come. As of October 2022, there are over 80. Each of the LIP initiatives across the country are tasked with creating a local immigration strategic plan unique to their area. Our plan will consist of identified barriers to a newcomer’s settlement and community inclusion, along with clear and measurable outcomes, intended actions supported by timelines for completion.
Our goal is to identify and reduce barriers facing newcomers and ensuring that we are providing a welcoming and inclusive community for all who call Lethbridge home.
Lethbridge LIP seeks to collaborate with, strengthen and work together with local residents, community agencies, initiatives, organizations, businesses and government agencies. And, at the same time, through conversation, research, public education, strategic assessment, we will identify gaps, needs and support sustainable solutions.
Members include community service providers that represent sectors that are directly involved in or have an interest in the integration of newcomers.
Civic Engagement
Southern Alberta Ethnic Association
Tourism
Funder
Legal
Education
District 51 - Public School Board
Lethbridge College - English Language Centre
La Cité des Prairies - Centre communautaire culturel francophone de Lethbridge
Employment / Labour
Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
Teamworks Training Institute & Teamworks Career Centre
Faith Community
Health
Federal Government
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigrant Advisory Table
Language
Lethbridge Public Library - Read On Program