Local Immigration Partnerships are Community Initiatives that...

• promote the settlement and integration of newcomers 
• build on the community’s strengths 
• support community-level research 
• promote linkages between sectors 
• engage with a diversity of stakeholders 
• enhance collaboration, coordination and strategic planning at the community level
• foster a more welcoming community where immigrants are fully engaged and integrated

 

Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership

In 2014, Regina Open Door Society (RODS) successfully obtained funding, in collaboration with the Regina Human Service Partnership (RHSP), from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to create the Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership (RRLIP). Since RODS holds the Contribution Agreement with IRCC for the RRLIP, it is responsible for ensuring the deliverables are met, on time and within budget.

The RRLIP is directed by a multi-sector Partnership Council comprised of key community stakeholders. The Partnership Council guides and oversees the implementation of each multi-year Settlement Strategy and Action Plan. A diverse  Immigrant Advisory Table informs the work of the Partnership Council through their lived experience, knowledge and connections to the newcomer community. Working groups and other committees support the implementation of the Action Plan. The Partnership Council, Immigrant Advisory Table, Working Groups and other Committees are supported by project staff (the secretariat).

The RRLIP works with community and key stakeholders to facilitate closer collaboration, create efficiencies and build capacity in Regina for the successful settlement and integration of newcomers. Since its formation in September 2014, the Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership has:

• completed a community scan (2015 - 2016)
• consulted with newcomers and others through a series of 13 community forums (2015 - 2016)
• assembled the Partnership Council, Immigrant Advisory Table and other support tables (beginning in 2015 to present)
• initiated a research study to further explore local priorities to successful settlement and integration (2016)
• conducted a newcomer survey and community survey (2019 - 2020)
• developed Community Action Plans based on the settlement and integration needs and priorities identified by community (on-going activity; revisions required when settlement and integration priorities shift)                                                                                                           

Vision: Regina welcomes newcomers, values and celebrates diversity and supports the integration of all residents.

Mission: The Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership (RRLIP) and its member organizations will educate, collaborate and partner for the benefit of newcomers in Regina. 

Objectives: The RRLIP aims to:

• Develop and engage a multi-sector Council, diverse Immigrant Advisory Table and Working Groups to support the community's settlement and integration priorities
• Engage traditional and non-traditional partners in the inclusion of newcomers
• Strenghten the local capacity to integrate newcomers
• Increase knowledge about newcomer needs, strengths and local strategies for support
• Promote welcoming attitudes and increase the full participation of newcomers in the Regina community

Local Priorities

Between 2022 to 2024, the main focus of the RRLIPs work is directed toward 5 key priority areas, identified through data obtained from the Newcomer Survey of 2022, and on-going consultation with community stakeholders invested in enhancing the settlement and integration outcomes of newcomers.

The 5 key priority areas include:

• Employment
• Cultural Bridging
• Mental and Emotional Wellness
• Social Connections
• Housing Education Support

The current Plan, detailing the activites associated with each priority, is available here: 

RRLIP Community Plan 2024-25

Project Structure

Partnership Council:

The Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership is guided by a multi-sector Partnership Council.  We thank the member organizations for their dedication and committment to a more welcoming community.   

Current Partnership Council representation includes: all levels of goverment, settlement agencies (including Francophone representation), protective services, health authority, safety sector, school board, language providers, food security, employment, educational institutions, and an Indigenous organization.

Immigrant Advisory Table: 

The Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) is a diverse and inclusive volunteer table with members representing a diversity of backgrounds, ages, cultures, languages, genders, education and varying stages of settlement. All IAT members are individuals with lived experience as newcomers, whether recently or in the past. The RRLIP appreciates and highly values each member's contributions and insights, and we share them regularly with the RRLIP Partnership Council and other community partners.

IAT Members...

• put forward their community’s interests and concerns
• gain impactful Canadian volunteer experience
• develop friendships
• build knowledge and expertise about the local community
• inform the work of the RRLIP Project to strengthen and support Regina’s capacity to welcome, settle and integrate newcomers
• meet a minimum of 4 times per year. Meetings are frequently held by Zoom, or occasionally in person. An honorarium (monetary gift) is available for each one who attends.

IAT APPLICATION FORM CAN BE FOUND HERE

 

Working Groups:

Below is a listing of the working groups and committees that support the local priorities of the RRLIP Project. The activities developed and implemented by each table strengthen the project's ability to address the priorities (e.g. cultural bridging forum planned and facilitated by the Anti-Racism/Discrimination Working Group, an Employers Newsletter developed by the Labour Market Working Group, etc.).  

o   Anti-Racism and Discrimination Working Group 

o   Canadian Housing Advisory Committee 

o   Labour Market Working Group 

o   Mental and Emotional Wellness Working Group

o   Local Private Sponsorship Group 

Short-term working groups are also assembled to address emerging priorities not listed in the RRLIPs Action Plan. To learn more about participation on any working group or committee, contact 

 

RRLIP Staff (or Secretariat):

Mussarat Parveen, Project Manager
 

Sonika Chaudhary, Assistant Manager
 

Janell Rempel, Community Liaison and Special Projects Coordinator