Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership: Action Plan for Moving Forward to Better Welcome Newcomers

The Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership (GVLIP) has recently released its regional strategy and action plan report. The GVLIP, first formed in 2015, aims to develop broad community-based partnerships and, over the long term, create a viable regional immigrant integration strategy for Greater Victoria.

The report is the culmination of a community consultation done earlier in the spring of 2017. In April, the GVLIP brought together key stakeholders from the business, health, education, etc. sectors to spend a day together and dialogue about how to improve the newcomer integration experience. Led by facilitator Keith Jones, participants developed the key elements contained in the GVLIP immigration strategy and action plan report. An online survey was also developed to further engage community stakeholders and share their perspectives. The entire feedback from this dialogue process has now been synthesized into the GVLIP report.

Some key benefits of effective newcomer integration outlined in the report include:

• Newcomers: Feel openly welcomed, appreciated and valued for contributions to the community

• Greater Victoria Community: Embraces and celebrates diversity as source of learning, inspiration and enrichment for all

• Greater Victoria Economy: Businesses and social enterprises acquire capacity and specialized skills they need from newcomers

The report provides a “roadmap” for the GVLIP to now move forward in the coming months. It will now begin to undertake actions in a cohesive manner. To read the full report and learn more about the strategic actions to be undertaken by the GVLIP, download the report.