Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership
What GVLIP is working on
The GVLIP brings newcomers, community organizations, governments, and business partners together in shaping an equitable, inclusive region where everyone can thrive. Grounded in collaboration, equity, and learning, the GVLIP listens to newcomer experiences, amplifies their voices, and strengthens partnerships. GVLIP turns research into lasting systemic changes that increases opportunities for full and mutually beneficial community participation.
GVLIP’s four focus areas
GVLIP focuses on four areas that shape whether newcomers can participate fully in community life: meaningful employment, health and well-being, access to suitable housing, and equity, justice and belonging. Partners work together to understand barriers, share knowledge and advance practical solutions in each area.
Employment
Inclusive hiring, credential recognition, workplace practice, and employer resources. Home of the Diversity Works employment summits and the Anti-Racism at Work campaign.
Health
Advises on the healthcare issues facing newcomers, immigrants, and refugees — from interpretation at the point of care to finding a family doctor.
Housing
Regional housing research, landlord and tenant education, and the Hope for Home immigrant housing action plan.
Equity & justice
Responding to discrimination and hate incidents, and equipping organizations to interrupt them. Home of the Community Response Protocol Against Racism and Hate.
Reports and resources
The GVLIP team has built a vast collection of reports, research, and resources. These reports span a large range of critical topics that affect newcomers to Canada.
Explore research, practical tools and community learning developed with GVLIP partners and newcomers. The library brings together evidence on housing, healthcare, employment, racism, legal access, misinformation, and other issues shaping newcomer experiences in Greater Victoria.
Read recent reports
Become a GVLIP partner
If your organization is working to improve employment, health, housing, education, equity or community belonging, we invite you to connect with GVLIP. Partnership offers a way to share knowledge, coordinate action and contribute to solutions that benefit newcomers and the wider region.
What partners get
Access to regional research before its public, tools and training you don’t need to build alone. A team of colleagues and peers working on the problems you’re already facing. Introductions to a network of over 40 other organizations across the region.
What partners give
Someone from your organization at the table, honesty about what isn't working, and a willingness to change something inside your own walls.
There's no fee and no minimum size. Non-profits, businesses, public institutions, local governments, faith communities, and neighbourhood groups are all welcome.
How to join the GVLIP
Email us, let us know about you and your organization and what focus area or topic matter the most to you. We’ll set up a conversation and get you invited to the next meeting.
Our partner organizations
Our partners include newcomer-serving organizations, municipalities, schools, health providers, housing organizations, businesses, cultural groups and community agencies. Each brings different expertise, relationships and perspectives to the shared work of building a region where everyone can participate and thrive.
GVLIP works with more than 40 organizations across the region, including:
Local government & public services
City of Victoria
Capital Regional District
District of Saanich
Saanich Police
Saanich Parks and Recreation
Westshore Parks and Recreation
Education
Greater Victoria School District No. 61
Saanich School District No. 63
Sooke School District No. 62
University of Victoria
Royal Roads University
Greater Victoria Public Library
Healthcare resources
Island Health
Island Health Primary Care Network Westshore
Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees
Housing and social services
Greater Victoria Housing Society
Beacon Community Services
Threshold Housing Society
James Bay New Horizons
The Village Initiative
Business and economic development
BC Construction Association
BC Construction Foundation
LandlordBC
WestShore Chamber of Commerce
Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council
Community and cultural
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Indigenous Perspectives Society
Le Relais Francophone
Masjid Al Iman
Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture
Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition
Sport for Life Society
Stay connected
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates.