Reaching Out to Newcomers in Canada’s Most Diverse City
By: Paula Messina – CFR Toronto Event Coordinator.
The 8th Annual Toronto Newcomer Day Information Fair was held at Nathan Phillips Square on May 25th to celebrate and welcome some of the 80,000 to 100,000 people that make Toronto their new home every year. A government of Canada website says Canada “welcomed more than 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021”.
Toronto’s Deputy Mayor, Ana Bailão, said “Fifty per cent of our population wasn’t born in Canada,” while speaking of her own journey coming to Canada.
Thousands of newcomers were in attendance visiting more than 100 exhibitors. Nestled in amongst the myriad of booths promoting settlement services, many visitors were surprised and elated to find a booth dedicated to Reconciliation. For some newcomers, this was a new subject that piqued their interest, while for ESL teachers and settlement workers, CFR’s booth was a welcome stop for dialogue on the need to raise awareness and build connections between newcomers and Indigenous peoples in Canada. Some visitors took time to test their knowledge of Indigenous life in Canada by playing our “Did you know?” game, while others wrote down their thoughts on “Taking action on reconciliation” on our post-it note board.
Susan and Paula (CFR Ontario staff) were of course very happy to also receive visits from some CFR circle participants and volunteers including Joe Keesickquayash and members of CFR Ontario’s Advisory Committee Pat Floody and Stephanie Nassis.
Congratulations to the event organisers. We look forward to returning next year!
To see a more comprehensive story about Immigration to Canada, please click on this link.
