Welcome to the Inclusion Hub!

Fostering welcoming and inclusive communities for immigrants and newcomers in Southern Alberta

Find your community

What is a Local Immigration Partnership?

Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) are community-based bodies that promote newcomer integration at the local level and foster welcoming communities by bringing together multiple partners. While the newcomer serving sector is a key collaborator, other partners include employers, school boards, libraries, health agencies, boards of trade, various government representatives, professional associations, ethno-cultural and faith-based organizations.

LIPs are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and can be found in over 90 communities across Canada to support the development of community-based partnerships that build welcoming communities.

What we do

  • A group of young people sitting around a round table having a discussion in a room. The table has a small machine in the middle and a laptop on the table. An adult is holding a phone, possibly explaining or looking up something while the others listen attentively.

    Increase Community Participation in Newcomer Integration

    Integration is a two-way process that involves commitment by immigrants and refugees to adapt to life in Canada, and by Canadians to welcome new people and cultures. When the community participates in welcoming newcomers, newcomers can more quickly and smoothly become contributing members.

  • People entering a room with a large 'Welcome' sign on a screen, preparing to watch a band perform.

    Build a Welcoming Community to Help Attract and Retain Newcomers

    Creating communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and provide opportunities to make our communities an attractive location to live. Attracting diverse people will bring innovation and a vibrant workforce.

  • Whiteboard with several yellow sticky notes, partially overlapping, containing handwritten notes. The notes discuss problems and solutions, with some mentioning too many points, difficulty coordinating, and specific issues related to groups traveling together and tariffs.

    Conduct Community Based Research and Planning

    By conducting community-based research and planning, we can identify gaps in our community and then ensure programs and networks are in place to support newcomers where needed.

  • Disassembled puzzle with cartoon characters, some of which are talking, and plain puzzle pieces on a beige surface.

    Celebrate Newcomers and Their Contributions to our Community

    Fostering positive attitudes about all people in our community will create an environment that feels welcoming. Let’s celebrate our community!

Find Your Community

  • City skyline with various buildings, trees with fall foliage, and a tall communication tower under a clear sky.

    Medicine Hat & Area

    Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Cypress County, and County of 40 Mile

    Learn more
  • A scenic view of a waterfront park with a pier, gazebo, walking paths, benches, trees, and a large grassy area, with a lake and residential neighborhood in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

    Rocky View & Wheatland

    Airdrie, Strathmore + Wheatland County, Chestermere, and Cochrane

    Learn more
  • A scenic view of a town with houses and trees, and a forest in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Foothills

    Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, and Black Diamond, and Longview

    Learn more
five diverse people running in a grassy field on a sunny day with blue sky and trees in the background.

VISION

Southern Alberta is a welcoming region for newcomers to live, work and belong.

MISSION

We work together to create communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging and all contributions are valued.

Get Involved

Logo for Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership featuring a stylized sunset, two jumping figures, a teepee, and the text 'Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership'.

Coordinator: Sadiki Bamperineza

Email: sbamperineza@ccisab.ca | Tel: 403.977.0000

  • The working group's responsibilities include guiding action plans through specialized teams, facilitating communication between community groups and the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), welcoming participation from various stakeholders, and appointing key individuals to leadership roles who also sit on the partnership council for cohesive coordination.

    The MHLIP has 3 working groups:

    1. Supporting Those New to Town

    2. Integrating Newcomers into Economic Development

    3. Creating a Culture of Inclusion

    Interested in joining? Contact Sadiki at sbamerineza@ccsab.ca to learn more!

  • Are you a newcomer that wants to be heard? We’re now recruiting! Find our more here.

  • Community Associations, also called Neighbourhood Associations, provide a great way to connect with your neighbours!

    Neighbourhoods are an important source of day-to-day help and community connection. Saying hello, helping with snow shoveling, or dropping off a meal to provide comfort or support demonstrates care for each other. These acts of kindness increase neighbourhood pride and have many positive effects on neighbours and neighbourhoods.

    Learn more

Logo for Rocky View & Wheatland Local Immigration Partnership featuring mountain, wheat, and leaf motifs with the acronym RW-WLIP in the center.

Coordinator: Kelly Keating

Email: kkeating@ccisab.ca | Tel: 403.561.0387

  • https://www.cochraneimmigrantservices.ca/

    Local groups in Cochrane are currently working together to Welcome & Support Newcomers, Foster Community Connection & Belonging, and Promote Meaningful Employment for Newcomers.

    Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee supports the settlement of newcomers to Cochrane, as well as a celebration of heritage for all Albertans, newly arrived or settled here for generations. They collaborate with Rocky View Immigrant Services (RVIS), Rocky View Wheatland Local Immigration Partnership (RVWLIP), and local community organizations to link newcomers and immigrants with essential resources and support.

    For information about volunteer opportunities or to learn more about what we do, please reach out to CISCcochrane@gmail.com.

  • About Welcoming Airdrie

    Welcoming Airdrie works as a partnership to promote cultural understanding and open-mindedness among all residents and provides resources for newcomers to get established and succeed in Airdrie. We build the capacity of local service providers by sharing information and resources with our network.

    Are you interested in…

    • Sharing your local knowledge and perspectives on living in Airdrie

    • Finding solutions to challenges faced by newcomers to Airdrie

    • Building bridges between newcomers and more established residents of Airdrie

    • Planning events and activities to inform new residents about available supports

    • Planning events and activities to promote cultural understanding

    • Brainstorming opportunities for new residents to get to know others in Airdrie

    If so, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at: welcomingairdrie@gmail.com to get involved!

  • The RVWLIP Coordinator is a member of the Town of Strathmore's Culture & Wellbeing Task Force.

    About Strathmore Culture & Wellbeing Task Force

    The Strathmore Culture & Wellbeing Task Force believes in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents of Strathmore, regardless of their cultural background. We are committed to enhancing the wellbeing and sense of belonging for all residents and recognize the importance of cultural awareness and aim to promote understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.

    What We Do

    The Strathmore Culture & Wellbeing Task Force provides input and makes recommendations to the Town of Strathmore and supports activity planning to foster wellbeing and a welcoming and inclusive Strathmore.

    Link to website

Logo for Foothills Local Immigration Partnership featuring stylized mountains and fields surrounded by a rainbow-colored border of abstract bird shapes.

Coordinator: Stacey Trim

Email: strim@ccisab.ca | Tel: 403.561.7617

  • Do you have a program, event or resource related to newcomers or newcomer service providers that you would like to see included in our updates? Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about the Foothills Local Immigration Partnership (FLIP), or how to join one of our four working teams? Contact Magdaleen van Dorp - Brinkman at mvandorp@ccisab.ca for more information!

    1. Supporting Newcomers in Arrival and Settlement

    2. Supporting Newcomers in Accessing Affordable Housing

    3. Fostering Community Connection, Inclusion and Contribution

    4. Promoting Meaningful Employment for Newcomers

      Learn more

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries and continue to do so today. We honour the land, water, nature and history that help us operate in this beautiful territory.