Working Groups

The focus of this group is two fold; one is to connect with agencies and others working with the employment of newcomers to enhance communication. The second is to connect with employers to assist in education and the promotion of the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace.

This group of healthcare professionals formed a few years ago, and recently joined under the LIP umbrella. They continue to collaborate their efforts to assist newcomers to navigate the Canadian health system. Additionally, they support healthcare professionals to better meet the needs of their newcomer patients.

The top identified barrier in settlement when community members and newcomers are surveyed is without a doubt language barriers. In September 2024, it was decided that what was previously the “Language Education Working Group” and the LNHAG Sub – Committee – “Translation and Interpretation” would be amalgamated into one working group and has been renamed the “Inclusive Language Practice Working Group.” The focus of this working group will include but not be limited to identifying and proposing workable solutions to language barriers: teaching and encouraging the use of “plain language principles “as a practice of inclusion and champion organizations who do: The encouraging and support of best practices of language interpretation including the use of resources such as Language Line, Boost Lingo and so on. Provide community education. The membership for this group is open to anyone who would find this helpful.

This group’s focus is on working together to collaborate in projects that will assist with the main goal of Lethbridge LIP which is to ensure that Lethbridge an inclusive and welcoming community.

Together with the LIP Coordinator, this working group oversees the evaluation of Lethbridge LIP activities as outlined in both the Theory of Change and Action plans. They track relevant research initiatives locally and provincially to avoid project duplication and collect relevant data. They will coordinate future LIP research. The membership of this group is open to new members with evaluation and research experience and/or a strong knowledge base in the area of immigration and newcomer settlement.

Immigrant Mental Health is of great concern in our community. This working group was originally a sub-committee of LNHAG that struck in response to concerns identified post COVID. It became an independent working group in October, 2024. This working group supports a University of Lethbridge team who are conducting research in this area: collects a list of local resources. Plans to create a social media campaign presenting positive messaging regarding self-care, mental health and wellness.