Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) are designed to strengthen a community’s capacity to attract and integrate newcomers. Since 2008, LIPs in Canada have convened to support community-level research and planning to create more welcoming and inclusive communities where newcomers are connected and have opportunities to participate economically, socially, politically, and culturally. LIPs do not deliver services directly to immigrants. Instead, they foster local engagement of organizations that offer services to newcomers, support community-level research and planning and improve coordination of services that help immigrants settle and integrate. LIPs are funded by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
1. LIPs Enhance Newcomers Access to Community Services and Programs
Membership in LIPs reflects a diversity of services within each community. Libraries, schools, hospitals, employment services, chambers of commerce, employers, local government, neighbourhood houses and women, child and senior services are some examples of typical LIP members, as they interact with newcomers regularly and can make recommendations about their needs. LIPs examine and address issues that improve service coordination across immigrant service organizations and mainstream service sectors.
2. LIPs Strengthen Intercultural and Civic Engagement
LIPs offer engagement activities that bring together newcomers and long-time residents with the purpose of strengthening social relations and community cohesion. LIPs provide community consultations bringing immigrants and community together to dialogue to share experiences, events promoting cultural representation are offered through community organizations, give workshops working to eliminate racism educate people how to be an active bystander, and more.
3. LIPs Create Welcoming and Inclusive Workplaces
LIPs partner with businesses and employers to foster welcoming and inclusive workplaces for all. Immigrants provide important cultural diversity to local communities as well as skills, investment, and an entrepreneurial spirit. It is important for communities to have a plan to attract and keep immigrants in local communities. LIPs offer information and events for businesses to learn how to recruit and retain immigrant workers as a part of their labour strategies.
4. LIPs Engage Governments and Public Institutions to Address Newcomers Needs
The public sector and governments play key roles in supporting newcomers’ integration. LIPs examine how governments and public institutions can respond to newcomers needs including in areas such as housing, health, and access to local and municipal services. LIPs engage senior level representation from a broad range of institutions and community agencies that has resulted in improving the comfort, health, and standards of living of newcomers.
LIPs help newcomers work, live, and engage as active citizens, building stronger communities and businesses for everyone. There are about 80 Local Immigration Partnerships across Canada, with 17 in BC. LIPs further the development of local communities as an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant places where immigrants can realize their full potential, racism is eliminated, and cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.