All are Welcome to Canada
Canada and the Province of Ontario have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation this year and newcomers' contributions have been highlighted throughout. Multiculturalism is one of the most well-known features of Canada. Everyone "is welcome to Canada" as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his Canada Day message. There are many different services and programs readily available, supporting newcomers as they build a new life in Canada. These supports help newcomers "to stand" and "to grow" in their new home.
Toronto is a big city. To welcome newcomers, Toronto Public Library offers library information in 40 languages that sums up the resources and services. One of the services is the Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program and it is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). By working with 7 local settlement agencies, there are helpful settlement workers providing information referrals and programs for newcomers year-round at 14 library branches:
| Agincourt | Lillian H. Smith |
| Albion | Mimico Centennial |
| Bridlewood | Parkdale |
| Centennial | Parliament Street |
| Eatonville | Richview |
| Fairview | Thorncliffe |
| Flemingdon Park | Toronto Reference Library |
To learn more about LSP, check out the Settling in Toronto page and the New to Canada blog.
While visiting an LSP location, newcomers can have their settlement questions answered and also register for a free library card. There are free resources and services at Toronto Public Library like materials in 40 languages, ESL information, online tools and more. Check out the New to Canada page for details.
This summer, additional settlement help will be provided at 13 branches through the Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). The SEPT locations this year are:
| Barbara Frum | Jane/Sheppard |
| Black Creek | Maria A. Shchuka |
| Cedarbrae | Pleasant View |
| Deer Park | Steeles |
| Downsview | Weston |
| Fairview | York Woods |
| Goldhawk Park |
A total of 27 library branches will be offering settlement services this summer. Please stop by at any of the LSP and SEPT locations for settlement support. We are here to help!
Running until July 30, the Destination Canada exhibit shares newcomers' personal stories throughout Canadian history and touches on their reasons for coming, their journeys and their impressions upon arrival. The exhibit is free and it is on display in the Toronto Reference Library's TD Gallery during regular library hours. As part of the exhibit, you can leave a friendly welcome note to newcomers who recently arrived.
5 thoughts on “All are Welcome to Canada”
Multiculturalism is one of the most well-known features of Canada. Hurray!
One of the least well-known features of Canada is how badly the early Canadian government officials 150+ years ago treated First Nations people, how the current and past Government policies, rich and racist people continue to dishonour Crown treaties and pillage natural resources from land never ceded, ignore health crises with boiled water advisory on reserves, discredit the reality of Murdered and Missing Indigenous, Women, Teens and Men, and so on. Please take a moment to learn about the original people on Turtle Island:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/health-environment/water-quality-health/drinking-water/advisories-first-nations-south-60.html#s1
http://aptnnews.ca/2017/07/10/missing-barbara-kentner-mom-don't-leave-me-please-don't-leave-me-you-cant-leave-me/
Help be a reason for First Nations kids to not kill themselves.
Thanks for this blog post and I appreciate learning the wealth of resources for newcomers. It’s not easy starting a new life in a new country.
I came across this article written by an immigrant sharing how he chose to celebrate Canada Day while recognizing our faults: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/canada-150-immigrants-indigenous-opinion-1.4184134
He also expressed the need to advocate and support the aboriginal people. Canada is “a work in progress.”
“Multiculturalism is one of the most well-known features of Canada. Hurray!
One of the least well-known features of Canada is how badly the early Canadian government officials 150+ years ago treated First Nations people…”
Least known? Hardly. This is all I’ve heard about for the past 20 years.
Canada is very welcoming, from the time I entered Canada airport to the time I reached my place of abode, I can feel the presence of all people I met and are around me, very willing to help and offer their concern and good natured help to appease me in whatever capacity they can. From the bus drivers, people from the streets, public library, supermarkets, eateries, malls and a lot more. All are effectively doing their very best to let me feel, that Canada is my country and I belong here. It is so amazing and quite a feeling of reward. Thank you Canada,the government and the people. Kudos. More Power and May God Always bless Us All.
Hi Ruben,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is truly great to know how you were welcomed to your new home when you first arrived. Elsa