By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Chatham-Kent, designated as Canada’s first Welcoming Community, has launched its fourth annual Welcome Week.
Organized by the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership, the event began on Sept. 13 and runs until Sept. 21, 2024.
This week-long celebration highlights the contributions of immigrants and newcomers. It aims to foster a sense of belonging for all residents and reinforces Chatham-Kent’s distinction as Canada’s First Welcoming Community.
“Chatham-Kent is excited to celebrate our community’s cultural diversity and inclusivity through the events of Welcome Week,” said Peter Sulman, CK LIP Coordinator.
“We anticipate highlighting the valuable contributions of immigrants and newcomers to Chatham-Kent.”
The week kicked off with a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre on September 13 at 12:30 pm. Other events include a Local Citizenship Ceremony at the Chatham Capitol Theatre on September 17, and an information session on municipal government tailored for newcomers on September 19.
The festivities will culminate with the “CK Welcomes A Community Showcase” at Kingston Park on September 21.
Tracy Callaghan, Co-Chair of CK LIP, added, “CK LIP is a collaborative network of 39 community organizations dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for new immigrants. We are honored to showcase our year-round efforts and celebrate with the individuals who have chosen Chatham-Kent as their new home.”
Local immigrant residents expressed their excitement for the event. Vivek Sharma, who moved to Chatham-Kent from India, shared, “It’s wonderful to see a community that values the contributions of newcomers. Events like this help us feel connected and appreciated.”
Chatham-Kent received the Welcoming Community designation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in September 2016, after responding to the federal government’s November 2015 commitment to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees. The municipal council passed a motion reaffirming Chatham-Kent as “an open and inclusive community for people of all backgrounds.”
Similarly, Fatima Adebayo, a recent immigrant from Nigeria, said, “As a newcomer, it’s heartwarming to see Chatham-Kent embrace diversity and celebrate what we bring to the table.”
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, praised the initiative, saying: “By celebrating our strengths and differences, we create a community where everyone feels included and valued. With the exception of Indigenous peoples, all of us trace our stories back to immigration.”
“By fostering an inclusive environment, we acknowledge that immigrants are part of shaping Canada’s future. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2021, immigrants aged 25 to 54 made up 1 in 5 workers in construction; 1 in 3 workers in professional, scientific and technical services; and more than 1 in 3 workers in the transportation, warehousing, accommodation and food services sectors, which highlights the importance of newcomers to the Canadian labour market, particularly in occupations for which workers are in shortage.”
“I encourage you to share how you’re celebrating on social media by using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2024,” the Minister said.
The week provides an opportunity for newcomers to connect with local services, share their stories, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote diversity in Chatham-Kent.
