Pathways to Prosperity: Ontario

Exploring Innovation in Immigration and Settlement in Canada: Challenges and Opportunities of New Geographies, Modes, and Levels of Immigration

Call for Proposals for Workshops, Roundtables and Posters

→ November 19, 2023: Gender-Based Violence Response Forum
(In Person)

→ November 20 – 21, 2023: P2P 2023 National Conference
(In Person and Virtual)

→ November 22, 2023: P2P Conference for Local Immigration Partnerships and Réseaux en immigration francophone
(In Person and Virtual)

→ November 23, 2023: National LIP Network Summit
(In Person)

Le Centre Sheraton Hotel, Montreal

Pathways to Prosperity will be holding its 11th Annual National Conference at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal on November 20 – 22, 2023. A virtual option will also be available on these dates.

Many changes have occurred in Canada’s immigration system in the last few years, particularly the drive for regionalization of immigration outside of the traditional immigrant-receiving metropolises; new modes of immigration, including the increasing transition of temporary residents to permanent residents; and the record-breaking number of immigrants being accepted into Canada each year. These changes pose challenges but also exciting opportunities for new ideas and innovation in immigration and settlement policies, programs, and practices.

The 2023 Pathways to Prosperity National Conference will explore the changes occurring and potential innovations in response to these changes. In this way, we can all contribute to planning for the future of immigration to Canada. In addition, through presentations and discussion, attendees will be equipped with new ideas and innovative program solutions to support the IRCC 2024 Call for Proposals for the Settlement and Resettlement Assistance Programs. It will be an opportunity to learn from others, share expertise and experiences, and expand networks.

On Monday November 20 and Tuesday November 21, the P2P 2023 National Conference will take place, with a welcome reception planned for the evening of November 19. The conference will include a keynote address, plenary sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions, posters, and lots of opportunities to network with colleagues. This year, both workshops and roundtables will be held for those who attend in person and for those attending virtually. All interested parties are welcome to attend this event.

On Wednesday November 22, we will be hosting the P2P 2023 Conference for Local Immigration Partnerships and Réseaux en immigration francophone. This is an opportunity for LIPs and RIF to share information and achievements, discuss common challenges and solutions, and develop new connections and collaborations. All interested parties are welcome to attend this event.

To be inclusive, we will be providing simultaneous interpretation for the keynote speaker and plenary sessions (both in person and virtually).

The planning committees for these events are working hard to make them engaging and valuable to all who attend. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

In-Person Schedule:

Sunday, November 19
Welcome reception: 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Monday, November 20
Conference runs from 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM
Evening reception and poster session: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Tuesday, November 21
Conference runs from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM

Wednesday, November 22
Conference runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided daily.

Space is limited so register early to avoid disappointment.

Call for Proposals for Workshops and Roundtables

On November 20 and 21, 2023 we will be holding in-person and virtual concurrent workshop and roundtable sessions during the conference. This year we will have more opportunities for both in-person and virtual workshops and roundtables on these dates.

Proposals may be submitted for either:

• In-person workshops and roundtables at the conference on November 20 and 21 at which all presenters and moderators must have committed to attend in person
• Virtual workshops and roundtables during the conference on November 20 and 21 at which all presenters and moderators will be remote

Workshop and roundtable sessions will be 75 minutes. This year, we ask that all workshops and roundtables consider the challenges and opportunities arising from new geographies, modes, and levels of immigration, and explore potential innovations in this regard.

Workshops should include 3 to 4 speakers, with a preference for speakers from more than one organization presenting in the same workshop. They should focus on the themes listed below. All workshops should leave at least 20 minutes for discussion and Q&A. We encourage all workshop moderators to have discussion questions ready for the audience, as well as leaving time for a Q&A session during the workshop. If you are unable to organize a full workshop, feel free to submit your presentation as an individual speaker and we will try to match speakers from different organizations who work on similar topics into a unified workshop.

Roundtables should include two moderators who will facilitate a discussion on a specific topic within the themes listed below. Moderators will be expected to lead off the discussion with an overview of the topic and then provide questions for discussion.

To submit a workshop or roundtable proposal, please click here. Workshops and roundtables in English and French are invited. We must receive your workshop or roundtable submission by July 28 in order for it to be considered. Acceptance of workshops and roundtables will be announced by mid-August. Please note that all accepted workshop and roundtable moderators and presenters must register for the conference and pay the applicable registration fees.

Based on feedback from interested parties, we are inviting workshop and roundtable submissions on the following topics:

• Comparing Quebec and Canada’s approach to immigration
• Immigrant mental health, physical health, and well-being
• Housing newcomers
• Building and bridging immigrant-Indigenous relationships
• Public attitudes toward immigrants and immigration
• Attraction and retention of immigrants in small and rural communities
• Settlement language training, including workplace language training
• Lived experiences of new immigrants
• Addressing gender-based violence among migrants
• Non-profit management and funding diversification
• Collaboration between the settlement sector and other sectors
• Temporary residents, including TFWs and international students
• Supporting Francophone immigration
• Addressing refugee claimants’ needs
• Supporting newcomer youth and their social and academic integration
• Optimizing refugee sponsorship
• Immigrant entrepreneurship
• Welcoming communities
• Digital transformation of the settlement sector
• Culturally responsive, inclusive, and sensitive settlement services
• Workforce integration, including upskilling and reskilling for employment
• Experiences of newcomer children and families
• Promising practices in addressing local challenges to settlement and integration
• Effective antiracism and antidiscrimination practices, particularly in K-12, the workplace, and public settings
• Integrating internationally trained professionals
• Lessons learned from recent large-scale arrivals, including comparative perspectives
• Foreign credential recognition, particularly in healthcare in response to the current healthcare worker shortage
• Supporting multi-barriered groups
• Pathways from temporary to permanent residence
• Pre-arrival services

Click here to submit your workshop or roundtable proposal – deadline July 28

Call for Proposals for Posters

On the evening of November 20, an in-person poster session accompanying a cocktail reception will be held to showcase the work of attendees. You may choose to present your poster in person (with a version also available on the virtual conference platform) or only virtually. In order to submit a poster proposal, please click here. Posters in English and French are welcome. We must receive your poster submission by July 28 in order for it to be considered, specifying at this time whether you will be presenting in person or only virtually. Acceptance of posters will be announced by mid-August. Please note that all accepted poster presenters must register for the conference (for the in-person or virtual conference depending on whether you are planning to present in person or virtually) and pay the applicable registration fees.

Click here to submit your poster proposal – deadline July 28

Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities

A variety of exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your organization’s visibility and branding, and to expand your network of prospects. Customized packages can also be arranged to suit your marketing needs. For more information, contact Sonali Advani at communications@p2pcanada.ca.

Gender-Based Violence Response Forum

November 19, 2023
Le Centre Sheraton Hotel, Montreal

On the afternoon of Sunday November 19 from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM (lunch will be included), the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Strategy Project is hosting a forum about GBV responses in agencies when working with newcomers, immigrants, and refugees using a trauma-informed and survivor centred approach. The research that informed the strategy prioritized:

1. Increasing coordination between the settlement and anti-violence sector
2. Challenging victim-blaming attitudes and beliefs
3. Ensuring more information and resources are provided to newcomers, immigrants and refugees

Phase two of the strategy, currently in progress, is about knowledge mobilization, engaging more stakeholders and agencies, and creating safer spaces across Canada.  Come and join the conversation!

This project is a collaborative partnership between:

CISSA-ACSEI, The Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance | Alliance canadienne du secteur de l’établissement des immigrants
EVA CANADA, Ending Violence Association of Canada | L’Association canadienne contre la violence
OCASI, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth-Immigrant Services

National LIP Network Summit

November 23, 2023
Le Centre Sheraton Hotel, Montreal

The 2023 National LIP Network Summit will take place on November 23, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is an opportunity for LIP staff from across Canada to think both practically and creatively about collaboration and mutual support. During the 2022 summit, LIPs initiated important conversations about anti-racism, LIP sustainability, and mentorship, exploring how they could work together to maximize impact on these and other issues. The upcoming summit will continue and deepen those conversations, as well as moving to conceptualize the future of the NLS, including its scope, structure and mandate beyond March 2025.

This event is aimed at LIP staff specifically. Due to space limitations, we ask that only one staff member per LIP register for this event.

Registration 

Registration Fees: In-person

Registration Fees: Virtual

Click here to register

Hotel Information

Blocks of rooms have been reserved at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal for November 19 – 23, 2023. If booked by October 27, 2023 the rate is $200.00 for a King/Queen or Double room, subject to availability (with this rate also available 3 days before and after the block). Complimentary high speed internet access is available in all guest rooms. Please click here to book your accommodation or call Le Centre Sheraton Hotel in Montreal at (514)-878-2000 from Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET and mention Pathways to Prosperity Conference.