As of 2020, Ontario has topped the spot for the province with the most immigrants, having nearly 140,000 immigrants arriving from July 2019 to June 2020. As a result, the Halton Region has attracted some of these immigrants, too.
The municipal government has formed a committee due to the increase in the number of immigrants taking residence in Halton. This committee is solely responsible for coordinating with the community to encourage new residents in Halton.
The Halton Region government, in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has funded the committee since its inception for several reasons. The committee generally aims to meet the evolving needs of newcomers and improve their lives.
Specifically, it dedicates itself to enhancing regional awareness and capacity to integrate newcomers successfully, providing them with access to settlement-related services, and boosting their chances of landing a job.
Moreover, the committee has more than 50 members and spans several participating agencies and a cross-section of different sectors. Business, education, employment, healthcare, police, and settlement are among the sectors involved.
The committee is proactive in conducting research and planning broader systems to coordinate and advance local services according to community needs, setting a strategic direction for more collaborative work.