building the new west - uleth.ca

Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion

Building the New West

Conference Program Mount Royal University March 8-10, 2013

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Mandate of WCICC WCICC is a dedicated, effective, nimble, and interdisciplinary research network that, in partnership with other stakeholders, contributes to each of the following: • Understanding of immigrant integration in the West;

• Greater and better integration of all categories of newcomers;

• Comprehension of the process by which newcomers seek and acquire citizenship;

• Improved development of economically viable and socially cohesive communities; and

• Increasing levels of direct participation by Western Canadians in fostering

Citizenship and social cohesion. The WCICC will draw on leading‐edge regional, national and international research and will bring together Western Canada’s top immigration, integration, citizenship and social cohesion scholars, policy‐makers/analysts and other stakeholders to provide advice on next generation policy and programming approaches for building stronger local, regional and national economies and communities. The work of the WCICC will contribute in discussing and developing the broad goals and objectives that are specific to the interests of key government and non‐government stakeholders in Western Canada. Objectives of WCICC The overarching objectives of the WCICC are to do the following in Western Canada with a focus on immigrant integration, citizenship, and social cohesion: a) to maintain and enhance existing research capacity, and

b) to develop stakeholder and community engagement capacity

More specifically, the WCICC will build on the foundations created by the Prairie Metropolis Centre (PMC) and the Metropolis British Columbia (MBC) during the past sixteen years in continuing to provide an effective venue for research, and stakeholder and community engagement. By building on the legacy of the earlier Metropolis centres in the western provinces, the WCICC will fill a significant research and engagement capacity gap that has opened up with the closure of the PMC on

June 30, 2012 and the impending closure of MBC (March 31, 2013). Local Organizing Committee: John Biles, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Fariborz Birjandian, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society / AAISA Mohammed El Hazzouri, Mount Royal University Pat Firminger, Government of Alberta James Frideres, University of Calgary Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University Darren Lund, University of Calgary Mary‐Lee Mulholland, Mount Royal University Irene Shankar, Mount Royal University Lloyd Wong, University of Calgary Administrative Support and Coordination: Lenise Anderson Elizabeth Hay Anna Miekus Bozena Virginia Quon Support: Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies Calgary Public Library Citizenship and Immigration Canada (Western Region) Mount Royal University (Provost and Faculty of Arts) University of Alberta (Campus Saint Jean) Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion Acknowledgements Events of this nature do not organize themselves, particularly not in the ten weeks available for the organization of this event. That there is a conference at all, let alone one of the size and caliber of this endeavour is a testament to the desire on behalf of researchers, community partners and policy‐makers from all orders of government right across western Canada. We must acknowledge Joe Garcea, Carol Oliver, Marc Arnal and his team at the Campus St Jean for pulling out all of the stops to ensure that funds could flow in time for this conference. The robust partnership across the voluntary, government and research sectors exemplified by the organization of this event bodes well for the broader WCICC enterprise and we look forward to working together into the future.

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Friday 8 March

13:00‐16:00 Inaugural Meeting of WCICC Board of Governors (Invitation Only) 13:00‐17:00 Registration Available in Lobby of Palliser Hotel 13:30 Meet settlement sector volunteers in Palliser Hotel lobby to travel to site visits

(Note you will be travelling on foot and/or public transit, please dress appropriately) 14:00‐16:00 Site Visits #1, #2, #3

1) Centre for Newcomers (Calgary): During this visit, delegates will have a glimpse into the Centre's day‐to‐day activities and an opportunity to network with agency staff and volunteers. Some or all of the following programs will be showcased: EthniCity Catering, tax clinic for low income immigrant families, Job Search Centre, Children's Settlement Program and a LINC class. 2) The Calgary Immigrant Educational Society (CIES): Is an agency dedicated to assisting immigrants and low income Canadians with their language, job, and computer skills. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet local staff and learn about their LINC and ESL classes and training programs in accounting, clerical, computer and employment. 3) Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS): Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is a non‐profit organization that provides settlement and integration services to all immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet local volunteers and staff and visit their brand new facility.

16:30 Settlement Sector Volunteers to meet conference participants in lobby of Palliser Hotel for walk to Public Library.

17:00‐17:30 Meet and Greet (Calgary Public Library)

John Dutton Theatre, 2nd Floor, Calgary Public Library – Central Branch

Light Snacks Provided

Master of Ceremonies Marc Arnal, University of Alberta/Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion

17:30‐18:00 Words of Welcome

• Diane Mikaelsson, Citizenship and Immigration Canada • Jeffrey Keshen, Mount Royal University • Ellen Humphrey, Calgary Public Library • Robert Vineberg, Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion / Canada West Foundation

• Fariborz Birjandian, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society / Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

18:00‐20:00 Municipalities as Engines of Integration Over the last decade an increasing range of societal actors have become more active in the settlement and integration of newcomers: Perhaps none more notable than municipalities. Municipal engagement fostering welcoming communities that help attract and retain the newcomers that Canadian communities increasingly rely upon is extremely uneven across the country. This panel will examine the key findings from two recently published volumes: Erin Tolley and Robert Young eds. Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities and Caroline

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Andrew et al. Immigration, Integration and Inclusion in Ontario Cities. It will also feature reflections on municipal engagement from a number of western Canadian cities.

Chair John Biles, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Keynotes

Erin Tolley, Queen’s University “The Municipal Role in Settling Newcomers Across Canada”

Caroline Andrew, University of Ottawa “The Role of Municipalities in Building Welcoming Communities”

Municipal Reflections

Martin Shields, Mayor of Brooks Aileen Murphy, Senior Social Planning Officer Surrey

Settlement Sector volunteers to depart library at 20:15 for walk to return to Palliser Hotel

NOTES:

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Saturday – Regional Focus Mount Royal University, Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning

Buses depart Palliser hotel at 8:15 for Mount Royal University

Master of Ceremonies James Frideres, University of Calgary

8:15 ‐9:00 Continental Breakfast – Ross Glen Hall

8:30‐18:00 Registration Open in Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning, Mount Royal University

All plenary presentations will take place in Ross Glen Hall 9:00‐9:15 Building the New West: The Challenge for CIC’s Western Region

Diane Mikaelsson, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 9:15‐9:30 Building the New West: The Challenge for the Settlement Sector

Chris Friesen, ISS of BC and CISSA‐ACSEI

9:30‐9:45 Networking Break – Ross Glen Hall

9:45‐11:45 Settlement and Integration Outcomes Over the last few years there has been considerable interest in pursuing a more rigorous examination of settlement and integration outcomes for newcomers across Canada. Some of the most interesting work has been undertaken in western Canada. This plenary will feature quick snapshots of surveys from each province and will open a dialogue to guide future outcomes work by the Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion.

Chair Terry Wotherspoon, University of Saskatchewan Panelists

Ben Pollard, University of British Columbia BC Welcoming Communities Survey

Victoria Esses, University of Western Ontario & Alice Wong, Government of Alberta Alberta Settlement Outcomes Survey Mobinul Huq, University of Saskatchewan, Taking the Pulse: Immigration in Saskatchewan Tom Carter, University of Winnipeg Settlement Experiences of Manitoba Provincial Nominees

Jack Jedwab, Association for Canadian Studies Experiences of Francophones Outside of Quebec

Discussant

Xiaoyi Yan, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

11:45‐12:45 Lunch / Networking – Ross Glen Hall

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12:45‐14:15 Workshop Sessions A (See Annex A) 14:15‐14:25 Break 14:25‐15:55 Workshop Sessions B (See Annex B)


16:10‐17:30 Variations in Settlement Approaches across the West One of the most fascinating aspects of the western region is that it encompasses seven different jurisdictions including Manitoba and British Columbia that have developed distinct approaches to settlement under the realignment agreements under which they have delivered federally‐funded settlement programs for the last fifteen years. Each presenter will briefly describe the commonalities and differences in settlement approaches in very specific areas of programming across western Canada. The moderated discussion following the panel will seek to identify other areas of programming where a comparative analysis across jurisdictions would be valuable. These discussions will drive the development of future comparative research projects of the WCICC.

Chair Paul Bramadat, University of Victoria

Panelists Gerald Clement, Former ADM of Immigration, Province of Manitoba Recruitment and Integration of Francophone Immigrants in Support of Minority Communities in Western Canada

Clea Schmidt, University of Manitoba Language Training and Assessment across the West

Bill Ashton, Brandon University Settlement in Smaller Communities across the West

Catherine Kiskiel, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Refugee Resettlement across the West

Fariborz Birjandian, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Capacity‐building in the Settlement Sector across the West

17:30‐18:00 Introduction Murray Young, Mount Royal University

Keynote Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary (TBC) Buses departing Mount Royal University at 18:15 pm for Palliser Hotel Free Evening

PLEASE NOTE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS TONIGHT!!!!

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Sunday – Jurisdictional Perspectives (Mount Royal University Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning)

Buses depart Palliser hotel at 9:15 for Mount Royal University

Master of Ceremonies Harley Dickinson, University of Saskatchewan

9:15‐10:00 Continental Breakfast – Ross Glen Hall

All plenary presentations will take place in Ross Glen Hall

10:00‐10:45 Immigrant Integration in Federal Countries The multidimensional nature of immigrant integration means that policies and programs often become issues of multilevel governance. In Immigrant Integration in Federal Countries (2012) editors Leslie Seidle and Christian Joppke seek to address this critical area. This keynote will focus on key patterns and lessons learned from a cross section of federal countries that can illuminate the importance of fashioning workable multilevel partnerships in Canada if we are to successfully foster an integrated society.

Keynote ‐ Leslie Seidle, Institute for Research on Public Policy


11:15‐11:30 Federal/Provincial/Territorial Partnerships The FPT Settlement Working Group has been working closely for the last three years on the settlement aspects of the FPT Vision Action Plan approved by FPT Ministers. In addition to work on settlement and integration outcomes, this group has also begun to work on the future multi‐lateral and bi‐lateral partnerships necessary to support the effective settlement and integration of newcomers to Canada.

Keynote ‐ Angela Connidis, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 11:30‐12:00 Provincial/Territorial Panel Each jurisdiction will be given 10 minutes to articulate their vision of the future of settlement in their jurisdiction focused on: who needs to be settled? Where? What partners are necessary? And what future directions do they anticipate provincial/territorial settlement programming to take?

Chair Angela Connidis, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Panelists Alice Wong, Government of Alberta Ben Rempel, Government of Manitoba

12:00‐13:00 Networking Lunch – Ross Glen Hall

13:00‐14:30 Provincial/Territorial Caucuses Meet Community, government and university participants from the different jurisdictions are invited to assist the Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion to identify priorities. Moderated discussions will cover four questions:

i. Greatest knowledge gap re settlement within jurisdiction? ii. Communities/municipalities that require most urgent attention re: settlement? iii. Most effective settlement practices within jurisdiction?

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iv. Largest outstanding settlement challenge within jurisdiction?

British Columbia (EA 1048) Moderator: Paul Bramadat, University of Victoria

Alberta (Ross Glen Hall) Moderator: Richard Mueller, University of Lethbridge

Saskatchewan (EA 1050) Moderator: Terry Wotherspoon, University of Saskatchewan

Manitoba (EA 1068) Moderator: Tom Carter, University of Winnipeg

Territories (EA 1070) Moderator: Rob Vineberg, Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion/Canada West Foundation

Bus departing Mount Royal University at 14:45 pm for Palliser Hotel

NOTES:

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BLOCK A WORKSHOPS (Saturday March 9, 12:45‐14:155)

Workshop A‐1 (Location: EA 1048) “Two Suitcases Full of Transferable Skills” – Re‐Purposing Your Toolkit: Helping Ensure Successful Employment Outcomes SmartConnections is a collaborative approach to sharing specialized‐information designed to enable internationally trained professionals (ITPs) to focus on career pathway development plans, applicable accreditation matters, skill transfer options, and networking opportunities with relevant stakeholders and employers. This workshop will showcase the information sessions, inspiration, conversation and hands‐on workshops offered by this approach. Chair: Bruce Randall, Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council Presenters: Bruce Randall, Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council Laurel Madro, Bow Valley College Nicole Jelley, Catalyst Solutions Group Corporation Nasir Abbas, Workshop A‐2 (Location: EA 1050) Partnering for Success: Community Collaborations This workshop will explore the opportunities and successes created through community partnerships and collaborations. All of the partnerships in this workshop focus on the inclusion of multiple partners with the objective of fostering an inclusive community for all. Key to these partnerships is the promotion and understanding of diversity and participation. Chair: Mohammed El Hazzouri, Mount Royal University

Presenters: Lindsay Marsh, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Services Agencies of BC – Safe Harbour Program Admasu Tachble & Dale Taylor, Centre for Newcomers Wendy Fehr, Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary Jaime Enachescu, Jeny Mathews‐Thusoo, & Rida Abboud, Calgary Local Immigration Partnership Workshop A‐3 (Location: EA 1004) Future of Settlement and Integration Services in Western Provinces and Northern Territories As the western provinces and northern territories continue to attract more immigrants and temporary foreign workers new challenges and opportunities are created. In order for the settlement sector to meet the needs of the ever changing demographics of newcomers to the region, the entire community needs to be engaged in order to create the conditions where all newcomers can succeed and communities can benefit from immigration. This workshop intends to bring representatives from across the region to share their current successes and challenges, and look ahead to the next five years to ensure that newcomers’ needs are met and the entire community is engaged in developing welcoming communities. Chair: Fariborz Birjandian, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies Presenters: Dale Taylor, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies Jean McRae, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Services Agencies of BC Beulah Gana, Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies Grace Eidse, Manitoba Immigrant and Refugee Settlement Sector Association

Workshop # Title Location (EA = Arts Building)

A‐1 "Two Suitcases Full of Transferable Skills" ‐ Re‐Purposing Your Toolkit: Helping Ensure Successful Employment Outcomes

EA 1048

A‐2 Partnering for Success: Community Collaborations EA 1050

A‐3 Future of Settlement and Integration Services in Western provinces and Northern Territories

EA 1004

A‐4 The Manitoba Experience with the Provincial Delivery of Federally‐funded Settlement Services

EA 1070

A‐5 Health and Wellbeing: Newcomers in Canada EA 1068

A‐6 The Settlement and Integration of Newcomers in Rural and Smaller Communities in Western Canada

EA 1014

A‐7 Settlement Experiences of Specific Communities EA 1010

A‐8 Changes to Immigration Policy and Implications Ross Glen Hall

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Workshop A‐4 (Location: EA 1070) The Manitoba Experience with the Provincial Delivery of Federally‐funded Settlement Services in Manitoba Manitoba has managed the devolved responsibility for settlement services for the last fifteen years. This workshop will include findings from two separate studies designed to capture some of the unique aspects of this approach. The first study, was undertaken by the Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion which was funded by CIC to do a case study of the Manitoba experience. The team of consultants have interviewed a range of key informants and reviewed critical documents to capture the history and evolution of settlement programming in Manitoba over the last fifteen years. The second study, by Probe Research was funded by the Government of Manitoba to identify key lessons learned from the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program (MIIP) and models of service to meet the needs of Manitoba newcomers. Together they provide an invaluable launching point for a discussion on settlement in Manitoba. Chair: Diane Mikaelsson, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Presenters: Tom Carter, University of Winnipeg Gerald Clement, Consultant Robert Vineberg, Canada West Foundation / Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion Mary Lou Mendro, Probe Research Inc. Ben Rempel, Government of Manitoba Workshop A‐5 (Location: EA 1068) Health and Wellbeing: Newcomers in Canada Speakers in this workshop will discuss current research that examines the health and well‐being of newcomers (immigrants and refugees) to Canada. In addition, this panel will explore the different obstacles facing newcomers as they seek to access the health care system as well as showcase some promising practices that appear to diminish the impact of these obstacles. Chair: Irene Shankar, Mount Royal University Presenters: Hassan Vatanparast, University of Saskatchewan Michelle Strain, Salvation Army Julia Bietz, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Workshop A‐6 (Location: EA 1014) The Settlement and Integration of Newcomers in Rural and Smaller Communities in Western Canada Increasingly newcomers across the West are choosing to settle in a wider range of smaller, often rural, communities. These communities have less contemporary experience with immigration and limited settlement services, and yet paradoxically often report better

settlement outcomes than larger communities. This workshop will draw together researchers and settlement organizations from across western Canada to examine this phenomenon. Chair: Bill Ashton, Brandon University Presenters: Wayne Kelly and Bill Ashton, Brandon University Hilde Schlosar, Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society Mohammed Y Idriss, Brooks and County Immigration Services Darren Lund and Parvinder Hira‐Friesen, University of Calgary Stefanie Palmer, Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, & Ashley McLean, Prince Alberta YMCA Laurie Sawatsky, Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce and South Central Immigrant Services, Richard Harder, Eastman Settlement Services, and Caroline Slimmon, Westman Settlement Services Workshop A‐7 (Location: EA 1010) Settlement Experiences of Specific Communities This workshop explores broad citizenship issues such as national identity, belonging, civic participation, political integration, and cultural competencies. Presenters will explore these issues in ethnocultural communities, among newcomers as whole, and in comparison to the host society. Chair: Laurie Carlson Berg, University of Regina

Presenters: Bong‐Hwan Kim, University of Manitoba Shibao Guo, University of Calgary Peter Grant, University of Saskatchewan Anoush Newman, Calgary Multicultural Centre Workshop A‐8 (Location: Ross Glen Hall) Changes to Immigration Policy and Implications The Federal Government adopted an immigration framework in the early 2000’s to increase French speaking immigration outside Quebec. Participants in this workshop will reflect on the effects of recent changes announced in Canada’s immigration policies as they apply to Francophone immigration and immigration generally. They will also consider how recent western models can contribute to national policy. Chair: Marc Arnal, Campus Saint‐Jean, University of Alberta Presenter: Ronald Bisson, Ronald Bisson et associé.e.s/and Associates, Ottawa

BLOCK A WORKSHOPS (Saturday March 9, 12:45‐14:15)

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BLOCK B WORKSHOPS (Saturday March 9, 14:25‐15:55)

Workshop B‐1 (Location: EA 1048) Contributions of Microloans to Economic and Social Integration of Skilled Immigrants This workshop focuses on skilled immigrants in Canada. It examines relevant trends, issues and existing support. It presents a conceptual framework of labour market integration, and highlights the contributions of microloans to the economic and social integration of loan recipients. The workshop also explores collaborative opportunities among stakeholders. Chair: Hieu Van Ngo, University of Calgary Presenters: Fernando Cala, Immigrant Access Fund Hieu Van Ngo, University of Calgary Dianne Fehr, Immigrant Access Fund Caroline Sommerfeld, Consultant Lloyd Wong, University of Calgary Tara Holmes, Immigrant Access Fund Workshop B‐2 (Location: EA 1050) The BC Experience with the Provincial Delivery of Federally‐funded Settlement Services in British Columbia The Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion was funded by CIC to undertake a case study of the British Columbian experience with the provincial delivery of federally‐funded settlement services in British Columbia. The team of consultants has interviewed a range of key informants and reviewed critical documents to capture the history and evolution of settlement programming in British Columbia over the last fifteen years. Preliminary findings from this work will be presented in this workshop. Chair: John Biles, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Presenters: Heather Dickson, Consultant Evert Lindquist, University of Victoria Ben Pollard, University of British Columbia Miu Chung Yan, University of British Columbia Wilma Clarke, Government of British Columbia Workshop B‐3 (Location: EA 1068) Settlement Agencies as Sites of Engagement, Attachment and Identity This panel will examine the complex manner in which newcomers, settlement workers and volunteers seek out and participate in various agencies based on religious, ethnic and national affiliation. Drawing on examples from research with one ethno‐specific community, a pan‐African centre and, agencies that are faith‐based or faith‐affiliated the panelists in this workshop will explore different themes including civic engagement, attachment and integration. Chair: Mary‐Lee Mulholland, Mount Royal University Presenters: Sinela Djurkova, University of Calgary / Calgary Multicultural Centre Paul Bramadat, University of Victoria Tim O’Donnell, Africa Centre Liaison, City of Edmonton ‐ Community Services ‐ Aboriginal and Multicultural Relations Tesfaye Ayalew, Africa Centre

Workshop # Title Location (EA = Arts Building)

B‐1 Contributions of Microloans to Economic and Social Integration of Skilled Immigrants

EA 1048

B‐2 The BC Experience with the Provincial Delivery of Federally‐funded Settlement Services in British Columbia

EA 1050

B‐3 Settlement Agencies as Sites of Engagement, Attachment and Identity EA 1068

B‐4 Learning Collaborations EA 1070

B‐5 Information and Orientation: Critical Tools in Facilitating Successful Settlement and Integration

EA 1004

B‐6 The Travelling Roundtable of the Métis and Francophones of Western Canada: A Model for Intercultural Dialogue in the New West?

Ross Glen Hall

B‐7 Critical Reviews of Language Policies in Three Western Cities: ESL Issues and Initiatives in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg

EA 1010

B‐8 Spotlight Practices EA 1014

B‐9 Settlement Language: A look at National, Provincial and Regional Forums

EA 1022

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Workshop B‐4 (Location: EA 1070) Learning Collaborations This session will highlight promising collaborative practices that focus on education related to newcomers. The successful projects reported include themes of enhancing newcomer integration through non‐formal learning and acquisition of essential skills, research on adult education with newcomers and its impact, and a university/community service‐learning project for pre‐service teachers. Chair: Darren E. Lund, University of Calgary Presenters: Karol Adamowicz, Community Learning Network Enayat Aminzadah, Community Learning Network Jana McKee, Seven Oaks Adult Learning & Settlement Services Centre Lianne Lee, c.a.r.e. for Ethno‐cultural Children & Youth, Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary Darren E. Lund, University of Calgary Workshop B‐5 (Location: EA 1004) Information and Orientation: Critical Tools in Facilitating Successful Settlement and Integration Ensuring that newcomers have appropriate information and that they receive early orientation to their new communities has been increasingly identified as key to both the utilization of available settlement services and to better settlement outcomes for newcomers. This workshop will feature examples of settlement service delivery models from across Western Canada. Chair: Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University Presenters: Tatjana Beocanin, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Beulah Gana, Saskatoon Open Door Society Manpreet Grewal, Abbotsford Community Services Grace Eidse, Altered Minds Inc / Manitoba Immigrant and Refugee Settlement Sector Association Workshop B‐6 (Location: Ross Glen Hall) The Travelling Roundtable of the Métis and Francophones of Western Canada: A Model for Intercultural Dialogue in the New West? This workshop presents an original initiative in multilingual, intercultural dialogue involving the Métis and Francophone communities in Saskatchewan. The presenters will review the objectives and principles guiding their initiative and they will discuss their methodology and the project’s results. The applicability of this dialogic “third space” has proven very effective in this instance and its applicability to other situations in Western Canada will be considered. Chair: Marc Arnal, Campus Saint‐Jean, University of Alberta

Presenters: Peter Dorrington, University of Regina Dominique Sarny, University of Regina Workshop B‐7 (Location: EA 1010) Critical Reviews of Language Policies in Three Western Cities: ESL Issues and Initiatives in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg This workshop examines current educational issues, principles, and promising practices in school‐based English language learning in three Western cities: Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. Chair: Fariborz Birjandian, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Presenters: Roumi Ilieva, Simon Fraser University Sharon Seward, Calgary Catholic School District Sandra Kouritzin, University of Manitoba Yan Guo and Yvonne Hébert, University of Calgary Percy Cummins, Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education Workshop B‐8 Spotlight Practices (Location: EA 1014) The aim of this workshop is to compare and contrast different types of services that are provided to newcomers in different municipalities and provinces. By providing a brief overview of the demographic and regional specificities of their communities, presenters will define and describe different strategies and practices implemented in integration programs and the creation of an inclusive and pluralistic society. Chair: Sophia Lee, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Presenters: Din Ladak, Immigrant Services Calgary Kam Aujla, Abbotsford Community Services Nicole Jelley, The Talent Pool Development Society of Calgary

BLOCK B WORKSHOPS (Saturday March 9, 14:25‐

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Workshop B‐9 (Location: EA 1022) Settlement Language: A Look at National, Provincial and Regional Forums In this workshop, we will look at some models, from the newly conceived to the more established, that have settlement language individuals and organizations collaborating nationally and provincially. The latter portion of our workshop will be a facilitated discussion on possible regional approaches for representation and mutually beneficial collaborations, as we consider how to build on our strengths in this new frontier.

Chair: Nita Jolly, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Presenters: Brenda Lohrenz, English Language Services for Adults Network Elza Bruk, Bow Valley College Kathleen Graham, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Alison Whitmore, Coquitlam School Board Shannon MacFarlane, Waverley EAL Consulting Inc.

Mount Royal Map

The Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship, and Cohesion would like to acknowledge

the support of the following:

Western Consortium on Integration, Citizenship and Cohesion Campus Saint‐Jean

8406, rue Marie‐Anne‐Gaboury (91e Rue) University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB T6C 4G9 Email: [email protected]

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