Access to Information & Services

Priority 1: Access to Information & Services

Goal

Immigrants and community stakeholders all have access to current and relevant information and resources to facilitate settlement and integration.

Background

Background

Importance of adequate programs & services

In general, people who used settlement services are more likely to perceive a better-than-expected settlement experience.
61.8% of immigrant survey respondents used settlement programs or services to help with their new life in Canada.
Only 50% of community service providers believe that newcomers have access to adequate settlement and language services.
40% of employers are concerned that immigrant applicants will not have the language skills and soft skills (e.g. communication skills) to do the job. Employers suggested “providing more post-employment coaching and support for immigrants on soft skills.

Dissemination of information about services

Only 36.4% of community service providers believe “newcomers have a good understanding of the community services available on the North Shore.”
Just over one third (36.1%) of immigrants surveyed did not know there were services to help.
62.7% of respondents learned about settlement services from friends or family versus 34.4% through internet searching, 34.4% through the CANN package received at airport, and 24.5% of through the WelcomeBC site.
Non-official language speaking immigrant participants are most likely to suggest having more information about key services in different languages and better interpretation services.

Regional disparities in service access

Immigrants in the District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver report facing greater difficulties in accessing employment services.

Objectives

Objective 1: Increase the capacity of North Shore institutions and community service providers to address the needs of North Shore immigrants

Actions:

Broadly promote and disseminate all NSIIP communication materials, research reports and consultation summaries.
Identify, promote and disseminate information about training, events, promising practices and tools related to immigration, cultural diversity and inclusion across the community of stakeholders.
Conduct annual survey of settlement related services to identify emerging trends and service delivery opportunities and challenges (waitlists, service gaps, capacity vs. demand).
Research, identify and share information about sources of funding and other supports to address service delivery gaps and challenges.

Objective 2: Improve dissemination of information to immigrants, service providers and the community at large in print, in person and on-line

Actions:

Compile and distribute an inventory of North Shore immigrant focused programs and services.
Provide information and tools to community agencies to review and revise their service information and communications materials to align with best practices for English language learners.
Research and share promising practices related to improving and increasing communication, outreach and engagement of immigrants.
Work with local media to increase publication of success stories and articles related to immigrant integration on the North Shore.

Our Achievements

2019/20

Hosted the NSIIP Service Provider’s Forum in Nov 2019: Working Together for Improved Immigrants Inclusion Agenda included presentations about updates demographic information and workshops about service planning for unique populations (early years, seniors, temporary permit holders)
Delivered Community presentations on immigrant demographics and implications for data-informed services planning
Updated NSIIP online inventory of local diversity trainers
Conducted community research on North Shore immigrant service utilization & community attachment/belonging

2018/19

Organized and co-hosted a half-day forum in Jan 2019- “Brave Conversations: Shifting Systems towards Inclusivity”, with the Centre for Diversity & Innovation (CDI)
Delivered community workshop on Clear Language and Design (CLAD) principles
Printed and disseminated multilingual business cards for emergency first responders
Presented demographic findings and immigration trends to municipal representatives

2017/18

Developed North Shore Quick Look: Demographic Info Sheet (PDF)
Delivered community presentations on immigrant demographics
Continued piloting literacy audits at North Shore organizations
Concluded social media pilots at North Shore organizations (report, recommendations)
Organized We Speak Translate: Introduction and Policy Discussion session through partnership with Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria

2016/17

Updated information on North Shore services for www.NewtoBC.ca (City of North Van, District of North Van, District of West Van)
Created an online inventory of diversity trainers
Launched pilot literacy audits at North Shore organizations
Researched new ways of communicating with newcomers via social media, with specific attention to WeChat, Telegram, and Kakaotalk to improve outreach to Chinese, Iranian, and Korean clients
Developed a resource sheet for employees and clients facing discrimination in the workplace (PDF), and drafted multilingual business cards for North Vancouver RCMP representatives
Organized two NSIIP forums in March 2017 and November 2017. Agenda included presentations and training, and sharing of updated demographic information and the newly released 2016 census data

Resources

North Shore Immigration Quick Look (2018) [PDF]
Diverse North Shore – Demographic Map (2018) [PDF] [Interactive]
North Shore English Language Learner Students (ELL) – Demographic Map (2018) [PDF] [Interactive]
North Shore Immigrant Seniors & Children Demographics (2018) [PDF] [Interactive]
Report from social media pilot at the North Shore Multicultural Society (2017) [PDF]
Recommendations on reaching newcomers through alternate social media platforms (2016) [PDF]
Diversity Trainers List (2016) [Online]

Members

NSIIP is grateful to hold its activities on the traditional, ancestral, unceded, and occupied territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples.