A Local Immigration Partnership (LIP)
Working together for diverse, inclusive, and welcoming communities
The Welcoming Communities Coalition (WCC) is a Local Immigration Partnership – or LIP – coordinated through the Immigrant Welcome Centre.
LIPs collaborate with key people and organizations – including local residents, community groups, businesses, and government agencies – to create more welcoming and inclusive communities.
The WCC was launched in June 2016, and is the LIP for Campbell River and the Comox Valley. Currently, there are 19 LIPs across B.C. and 76 LIPs across Canada supported by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Our Mandate
Often the first few years of a newcomer’s life here can be a time of excitement. But, it can also be a time full of frustration and isolation as newcomers navigate through many barriers such as a new language, unrecognized work experience and credentials, housing, and new customs, social rules and expectations. Many newcomers are also dealing with the scars of war and violence as well as grief and worry having left loved ones behind.
Our mission is to help improve the local capacity to foster inclusion and become welcoming communities. The WCC works collaboratively with existing expertise and resources in the region to:
- improve coordination of existing services;
- facilitate public education and awareness;
- provide a coordinated response to meet needs and to engage newcomers;
- enable successful integration of newcomers.
Members of the WCC meet to develop a coordinated and strategic approach to immigration and integration.
How the WCC Works
Each of the LIPs across the country are tasked with creating a local immigration strategic plan unique to their areas.
Coalition members are directly involved in the creation and implementation of both a strategic plan and an annual action plan.
Through connecting, conversation, research, public education, and strategic assessment, we identify gaps and needs, and offer achievable, measurable, and sustainable solutions to enhance newcomer well-being.
The main points of engagement include:
- An annual Collaboratory among members
- Campbell River and Comox Valley Steering Committees
- An Immigrant Advisory Table
- Community Forums and Community Dialogues
Externally, we stay connected with other LIP organizations in B.C. and across the country.
Learn about upcoming projects and how we strive to make our communities more welcoming by becoming a member!
