Midhurst/December 5, 2023 – On December 4, the County of Simcoe hosted an event attended by local leaders and immigration partners to celebrate the launch of the 2023 Community Settlement Strategy. This latest strategy will support newcomers to Simcoe County and reflect the needs and goals of residents, businesses, and municipalities.
“Through our Local Immigration Partnership, the County is working closely with our partners in government and within our communities to build inclusive, vibrant, healthy, and sustainable communities, » said Warden Basil Clarke. “The County is home to more than 82,000 immigrants, which is an increase of more than a third since 2016. Our new settlement strategy lays out a clear path forward that supports newcomers to live, work and belong in Simcoe County. »
The County has made significant progress since the launch of the first settlement strategy in 2016. Some of the accomplishments include:
- The launch of an immigration website, containing over 300 pages of online content to attract, integrate, and retain newcomers to the region
- Increased investment supporting additional English language training programs; the development, and rollout of a Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program; new Francophone language training and settlement services; and the successful launch and growth of the Immigrant Job Finding Club
- The development and growth of the annual #ITSTARTS campaign to reduce racism
and discrimination in Simcoe County - The development of an annual Newcomer Recognition Awards ceremony with award categories aligning with the goals of the Community Settlement Strategy
The new settlement strategy looks at the positive benefits caused by an emerging change to local immigration over the past decade, including the welcoming of Ukrainian and Afghan refugees to Simcoe County. Building on previous successes, the strategy sets goals and actions to guide local immigration initiatives until 2033.
To read the 2023 Community Settlement Strategy, visit simcoe.ca. More information on immigration in Simcoe County can be found at immigration.simcoe.ca.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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CONTACTS:
Jennifer Straw
Senior Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-790-5979 (mobile)
Jennifer.Straw@simcoe.ca
Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca