Christmas

It’s that time of the year again Canada, Christmas is right around the corner and Newcomer Centre of Peel has some news on upcoming fun and great events for you and your family. Christmas time in Canada is a magical time for family and friends to gather and share great joy and happiness, it is also a time to step outside of the daily routine to enjoy the great things living in Canada brings all of us.

This year, to kick off the celebrations join Mayor Crombie and Members of the Council in lighting up the tree in Mississauga’s Celebration square on Saturday November 21 between 5PM and 9PM. The event will feature the opening of the skating rink for this year followed by a DJ Skate Party Live by DJ Token. There will be a Ferris wheel, taking pictures with Santa, face painting, crafts, jugglers, food, and many more fun activities.

The 2015 Mississauga Santa Claus Parade date is set for FAMILY Christmas FUN! It will take place on November 29th in the Village of Streetsville! There will be a crowd of about 60,000 along Queen Street for the Santa Claus Parade starting at 1 pm. There will be as many as 75 groups presenting floats, bands and entertainers. Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus will be in attendance! Please note Britannia Rd and Queen St. will be closed prior to and during the parade.

The Canadian Election

The Canadian election of 2015 came to an end November 4, 2015 when the new Prime Minister of Canada, Justine Trudeau was sworn in with the rest of his cabinet members. 

The Liberal Party led by Just Trudeau won a majority of 184 seats, which is more than the 170 seat requirement to receive a majority in the parliament. The Conservative Party came in next with 99 seats, The New Democratic Party (NDP) was third with 44 seats, Bloc Quebecois with 10 seats, and the Green Party with one seat. Interestingly, compared to last election in 2011, the Liberal Party gained 150 seats, while The Conservative Party lost 67, and the NDP lost 59 of its seats. 

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day in Canada is on November 11 every year, and it is a day to call on, and show our respect for the members of the armed forces who lost their lives during the first and second world wars, some 100,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen died protecting Canada’s shores and well-being. The day was first observed in 1918 on November 11 at 11am. During this time, it is customary to wear poppies to show respect and support for the Canadian troops and their families. Please wear one today and support Canada. 

Newcomer Center of Peel's own client accepted into Canada from war torn Syria, says he's "really, really, really, happy"

(Peter Power for The Globe and Mail)

The Globe and Mail published an article on September 4 outlining the story of a Syrian family finally being accepted into Canada.

   Maher and his family of eight waited 11 years before their refugee application was accepted and they were welcome to come into Canada. The reason for this prolonged time to get their application accepted was due to the fact that most of the countries they have applied to were not ready to receive any new refugees.

  It is undeniable that Syrians, much like many refugees around the world today, are suffering a great deal, Maher and his family are just one example of the many families suffering as a result of war. Newcomer Center of Peel is proud to be able to be part of this success story and will remain dedicated to providing unique services to its clients.

 

Newcomers to Canada

Please have a look at the latest edition of "Tough Times", a local newspaper. The July/August edition featured a piece on the Newcomer Centre of Peel and our Executive Director, Effat Ghassemi!

OUT OF A SUITCASE INTO LIFE  

When Ellie and her two daughters arrived in Canada, their whole lives were packed in suitcases.

Leaving the world you know and foraging forward in a new country isn’t for the faint of heart. Ellie remained resilient in the face of difficulties. Her eldest daughter, Mariana, was starting school in September. Ellie didn’t know how to access healthcare because of her limited English. Sophia was a toddler, which prevented single mother Ellie from finding a job.

But Ellie discovered Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) – a treasure trove of support. NCP had everything she needed, all in one place. Ellie isn’t alone in her need for assistance when

first arriving in Canada. Many struggle to learn the official language, find employment and find viable

housing. In some cases, individuals may need mental health or crisis assistance. Caring for children can make these endeavors more complex and urgent.

From English language classes, employment assistance and settlement advice, NCP provides new immigrants to Canada with the support they need to make the Region of Peel their home. Like Ellie, a newcomer’s experience at NCP begins with a needs assessment. It identifies a client’s specific struggles upon first arriving in Canada. Based on this assessment, newcomers learn about NCP’s various settlement programs and are referred to any services they need. For Ellie, it was finding a high school close to home, getting help with government documents and navigating through the healthcare system. NCP’s childcare services enabled Ellie to attend English language classes and build the skills to access NCP’s employment services.

Each client’s situation is complex and unique so everyone receives customized support. Youth may fall through the cracks of our educational system, sometimes enduring bullying and isolation at school in a new country. When Mariana started high school, she ate lunch alone. Although she had been part of the volleyball team back home, she didn’t take on any extra-curricular activities here in Canada.

Her grades fell as she continued to keep to herself and not complete homework and assignments.

NCP settlement workers suggested that Mariana join the organization’s youth Community Connections program. Mariana was paired with a Canadian youth and began to make friends. She joined the Photography Group, Karaoke Night and Girls Night Out events at the organization, received homework help at NCP after school, and her grades improved.

Often, the quality of life for a new immigrant depends on finding a job. Work to bring in money, or employment within their profession, or self-employment. For Ellie, NCP’s eight-week Workplace Integration class gave her the skills she needed to become a contributing team member during her 10-week work placement, after which she was offered a full-time position. With a job and her family’s needs attended to, Ellie’s new start in Canada began.

NCP helps thousands of new immigrants every year, and successes like Ellie’s are not uncommon. With perseverance, a willingness to adapt and the right kind of guidance from agencies like NCP, newcomers are able to establish themselves in Canada and become active participants in their communities.

For more information on Newcomer Centre of Peel and its services, phone 905-306-0577 or visit online at www.ncpeel.ca

Effat Ghassemi is Executive Director of Newcomer Centre of Peel and has been involved with immigrant and refugee communities since she came to Canada from her native Iran in 1988. In addition to her duties at NCP, she is working towards a PhD in Family Relations and Human Development at University of Guelph.

To view the full newspaper online please visit: Tough Times

Universal Child Care Benefit

The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) was introduced in 2006 to help support Canadian families within a financial context.

As of July 2015, there were some changes made to the UCCB program which could benefit parents even further:

·    The payments that parents receive for children under the age of 6 were increased to $160 per month for each child

·    The UCCB was expanded to include children aged 6 through 17.  For each child in this age group parents can receive up to $60 per child, per month. 

This is a tremendous financial boost for those who qualify for this benefit.

Our newcomer clients can qualify to apply for this benefit as soon as they become residents in Canada, and/or as soon as their child is born and resides in Canada.  It is important to remember that you must file your income taxes each year in order to be eligible for the Universal Childcare Benefit. 

If you are already receiving the UCCB benefit you do not need to reapply for these enhanced changes to take effect.  The changes will be applied automatically.

For more details regarding Universal Child Care Benefit please visit Canada Revenue Agency website at:Universal Child Care Benefit  

If you have any question regarding the Universal Child Care Benefit, please feel free to contact us at 905-306-0577 ext. 227 and we will be more than happy to assist you with your application or provide you with more information. 

Education Speaker Series

Thinking about applying to University or College? Want to know more about Foreign Credential Evaluation or Bridging Programs?

Join us for a free Education Speaker Series facilitated by experts in the field of education!

Sessions will take place at the Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) in room 211. Please call Hela at 905 306 0577 ext 227 or e-mail us at hbaker@ncpeel.ca to register.

Remaining Citizenship Law Changes Coming Into Effect

On June 5, 2015 Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced that the remaining Citizenship law changes will be effective as of June 11, 2015.

One of the major changes affecting PR Card holders applying for Citizenship is the new residency requirement. To be eligible for Citizenship one must be physically present in Canada for 4 years (1,460 days) out of a 6 year time frame immediately before the application date. This is just one of many other changes coming into effect. 

To learn more about the before and after key changes , please visit the Government of Canada website at : Before and After. 

For more details regarding the citizenship law changes, please visit the Government of Canada website at: Citizenship Law Changes.

NCP Story : Newcomer’s Determination

As service providers, we are glad to see the journeys that many of our clients make. Though these journeys begin in their home countries, their destination points always vary. We see individuals enter our doors with different paths and goals, some of which could be a journey to communicate better, to resolve settlement issues, to complete paperwork, to find work, or even to simply feel connected to the new place that they have come to.

In the Labour Market Access for Newcomers of Canada (LMANC) program, we see clients who are on a quest to find a career, a difficult challenge to say the least. We accept clients with a variety of career objectives and motivations, but one recent story serves as proof that new Canadians can find their dreams with effort, passion, and positivity.

Dusan was a student in our LMANC co-op program for a brief two days, and his story is nothing short of inspiring. He came to Canada as a computer technician, and he was well aware of the challenges that were waiting for him in Canada. He began his experience with NCP in Jane’s LINC class where he met a lot of new people. Dusan knew that English was the first step in improving his prospects for success in Canada.

As he progressed from his language class, he began to develop a strong IT resume heavily targeted to a computer technician role and applied for a multitude of jobs. At first, he didn’t receive many calls back, but this didn’t stop him in his search for success. As time went on, he finally got a call back and was invited for his very first interview in his new country. He came in on a Friday and was offered a job on the following Thursday. The entire job search process lasted a month, but it involved lots of improvement and lots of persistence. Dusan understood the challenges involved in finding work, and he addressed these challenges by readily enrolling in our co-op program. He also knew that the market was demanding, fast-paced, and difficult, but this didn’t matter in the end. What mattered was his hunger to work in his new home.

“Fortune favours the prepared” is a quote that often rings true with our students in search of career opportunities. Though luck may sometimes play a part in the hiring process, luck often shines upon people who have done the hard work to start them on the right path.  Often, newcomers may be discouraged by the lack of results that they get in their job search. They are also told horror stories from their peers about how difficult it is to find work in Canada. From a service provider’s point of view, we try to counteract that negativity by urging newcomers to work hard and welcome luck when it knocks on your door.

Dusan is proof that hard work, positivity, and learning are important factors in reaching success. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments and hope that his spirit endures in everyone that aspires to contribute to our great country.

Day of Caring: Wellness for Seniors

Newcomer Centre of Peel, the “Friends of Seniors” Program in partnership with the United Way of Peel Bridging Generations Program will be hosting a special event “Day of Caring: Wellness for Seniors” on Thursday, May 21^st, 2015 from 8:30-11:30am at the Carmen Corbasson Community Centre (1399 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga, ON.)

The day will begin with an informative presentation from our special guest speaker Dr. Kim Wilson from University of Guelph on building healthy relationships with family. (Interpretation/translation will be provided, if needed).

After the presentation, seniors will have a chance to actively participate in various recreational activities such as dance, arts & crafts, play cards and domino and take fun pictures with friends next to our photo booth!

You will enjoy a FREE breakfast, FUN activities and a Lucky Draw for free prizes!

Please feel free to pass this information to your friends and anyone you feel may benefit from this FREE social event.

Please note: Free transportation is offered to our participants on a first come first serve basis! Please register by Tuesday, May 19^th, 2015 with Oksana: 905-306-0577 Ext.370  omandyuk@ncpeel.ca

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

NCP Client Success Story

When I arrived in Canada, I had half of my life packed in 6 suitcases and the other half, holding my 4 yr old daughter, was holding my hand. We still have the first memories very fresh in our hearts. We still feel the fresh smell of those pine trees, standing tall and strong while we took our first steps in the city. We carry in our souls the welcoming smile of every person we saw on the bus, in the street and at the supermarket. We felt free, safe, and full of hope. Today, these feelings are still present, but we also feel proud and thankful.

Proud, for being part of a country where people respect and value each other. Thankful, because Canadians made us feel at home.

It has not been easy, but difficult things make us stronger and resilient and help us appreciate what otherwise would have been just ordinary. We learned not only what an Inukshuk is, when Nunavut became a territory, we also learned to value the encouraging smile from our neighbour while shoveling in the middle of a snowstorm. We have so many things to be thankful for!

Tomorrow, we will promise to be faithful to all that Canada represents: from tolerance, inclusion and multiculturalism, to hockey games, a double-double, and maple syrup tapping.

Our roots will remain yellow, blue and red, like the Venezuelan flag, but the sound of the waves in our very much loved Caribbean Sea will certainly mix with the tune of “…God, keep our land, glorious and free…Oh Canada we stand on guard for Thee…” – Here we are, and Canada is our home.

Alejandra Figueredo

Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF): “Opening Doors for Abused Women” Symposium Thursday, May 7th, 2015

At Mississauga Valley Community Centre, the Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) will be hosting a FREE “Opening Doors for Abused Women” Symposium on May 7^th, 2015 to show that neighbours, friends and families in immigrant and refugee communities can make a difference in ending violence against women.

Violence against women affects all communities and backgrounds. Everyone has a role to play in preventing and responding to woman abuse.

The Newcomer Centre of Peel is funded by the Ontario Women’s Directorate to deliver the Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF) Immigrant and Refugee Campaign Project to provide education and awareness on the warning signs of abuse and what to do to help, by developing products and activities that are accessible and relevant to immigrant and refugee communities. 

When: Thursday, May 7^th, 2015

Where: Mississauga Valley Community Centre, Program Room 1

“Many people may not know what all the forms of abuse may look like and when they do recognize abuse, they may not know what to do. This campaign helps people understand that they can help. It’s not about physical intervention or putting yourself in danger. Sometimes asking her if she is okay and showing her that you care can be a big help.”  - Ontario Women’s Directorate

The Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) has been promoting the campaign through the development and delivery of public education sessions that aim to enhance service delivery, resources and supports. 

 Through the “Opening Doors for Abused Women” Symposium, NCP aims to increase understanding around woman abuse. This includes empowering frontline settlement professionals to take action on violence against women through the execution of service provision that identifies the signs and risk factors associated with woman abuse, includes appropriate referrals and connection to available resources.

Quick Facts:

·        The majority of victims of domestic violence are women, representing 83 per cent of victims (Statistics Canada, 2009).

·      80% of women who experience domestic violence tell family, friends or another source of support.

·        The average woman will try to leave an abusive situation five times before she is successful.

For more information, OR, to register for this FREE Symposium, please contact: Oksana Mandyuk at omandyuk@ncpeel.ca  or (905) 306-0577 Ext.370

Chinese Lunar New Year!

The Lunar New Year in China is one of the most festive and important holidays of the year, similar to Christmas in North America. The Lunar New Year is also known as the "Spring Festival" and is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries. 

2015 Lunar New Year Celebration at NCP

Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year's Eve to the "Lantern Festival" which is on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese year. This makes the Lunar New year festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. 


Because the Chinese calendar is  considered 'lunisolar,' the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year." The Lunar New Year falls on different dates each year, a date between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian calendar. In 2015, the festival begins on February 19th. 


The Lunar New Year festival is also celebrated in other countries around the world such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and more. Families and friends take a break from their busy work life and get together to celebrate the season with a variety celebrations which include a lot of food and the exchange of gifts. The streets are also filled with bargain bazaars, parades, dragon dances etc. and there is often spectacular fireworks, loud celebrations and red decorations which are believed to scare away monsters and bad spirits/energy. This is because the colour red is associated with prosperity and mainly used in this culture for protective purposes. 

During the season, there are many rituals performed each day because it is known to be the most superstitious season. For example, some may spend the first day without showering, doing laundry, cleaning or throwing out garbage. Some people honour their elders and families or visit the oldest/most senior members of their extended family. Rituals tend to continue for 15 days in a row.

During the festival season, locals hang Chinese characters on their door to bring in good fortune for the New Year. On the last day of the festival, locals brew a sweet rice ball in a soup. They also light candles outside their homes as a way to guide spirits home or walk the street carrying lighted lanterns.

The 2015 Lunar New Year is the year of the Sheep (Goat or Ram). The Sheep (Goat or Ram) is gentle and represents solidarity, harmony and calmness. It is said that those born in the year of the Sheep are polite, well mannered, shy, and determined. 

NCP Client Success Story!

Mr. Syed Mohammad Shoaib, landed in Canada in on November 1, 2013. He visited NCP for the first time a few days later. NCP's South Asian Settlement Counsellor guided him and his family with their settlement issues to ensure a smooth transition into life in Canada. Among the help received at our center was a referral to an organization working with internationally trained doctors. Mr. Shoaib was hired by one of the companies and later was able to open his own company by the name of SureSuccess. 

Mr. Shoaib's 15 year old son, Nafeh Shoaib, also visited NCP upon arriving in Canada with his parents. Nafeh is a special needs youth. As a result, he was successfully referred to various resources helpful for his transition in Canada.  

Mr. Shoaib informed NCP that his son, Nefeh, created an app for smart phones which was in stores since he was seven years old. The Settlement Counsellor asked the family to share this information with the school so that they could help him to utilize and share his talent with others in Canada. On February 3, 2015 Mr. Syed sent us an email with a video attached of his son's interview with CP 24 and CTV.

Please click on the following link to view this amazing NCP success story! 

http://ow.ly/GCqHN 

Winter Driving: Be Prepared, Be Safe

Winter weather causes road conditions to change dramatically without much notice. It is important to be prepared about how to drive safely during these changing road conditions, especially if you are new to Canada.

The winter in Canada can bring all types of weather including:

• Blizzards/Heavy Snowfall: Snowfalls of at least 10 centimetres in 12 hours, or 15 centimetres in 24 hours.
• Freezing Rain:  Rain that freezes while falling or as soon as it hits the ground. It can lead to ice storms, with ice covering roads, trees, power lines, etc. 
• Cold Snaps: Refers to temperatures that fall rapidly over a very short period of time, causing very icy conditions.
• Winds: They create the conditions associated with blizzards. Winds also cause blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibility and wind chill (colder temperatures than the actual temperature due to the wind). 
• Black Ice: Refers to a thin layer of ice on the road that can be difficult to see or can make the road look black and shiny. 
• Slush: Wet snow which can make for slippery roads.

 Top tips of safe winter driving:

1. Slow Down 
2. Stay Alert
3. Stay in Control 
4. Drive according to weather conditions 
5. Maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you 
6. Look in the direction you want to go 
7. Turn on your vehicle's full head light system in poor visibility 

Be prepared - Is your vehicle ready?

As winter approaches, it is important to get your vehicle 'winterized' by having a scheduled maintenance check done at your mechanic. As part of this check, make sure to have your mechanic check your car's tires, battery, belts, hoses, radiator, oil, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, wipers and ignition system. This will ensure that your vehicle is ready and functioning properly for winter conditions. Also, your fuel tank should be kept half-full at all times during the winter and you should have a full reservoir of windshield washer fluid to maintain clear visibility at all times. Finally, make sure to have a warm blanket in the vehicle in case you need to pull-over and turn your car off. 

On snowy days, before you start driving, be sure to clean off all snow and ice from your car windows, lights, mirrors and the roof. Do not start driving until the fog has cleared from the interior of the windows to ensure safe and good visibility. 

It is also a good idea to change your all-season tires to winter tires because winter tires stay soft in cold temperatures which is safer for driving, as opposed to having all season tires which become hard like hockey pucks. Winter tires that are in good condition can shorten breaking distances by 25%. 

Remember, your winter driving skills will improve with practice and experience. Try to stay relaxed when driving for the first time in the Canadian winter, be prepared and remember these helpful tips! 

Increase in Citizenship Application Fees in 2015

On December 23, 2014, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) released a public announcement outlining the increase in fees for the adult citizenship application starting January 1, 2015. All complete applications received after Jan 1, 2015 will be subject to a charge of $530 + $100 Right of Citizenship fee.

Due to the implementation of new, more efficient citizenship application processes, the Government of Canada feels that it is more accurate to charge applicants $530 as opposed to $300 to apply for Canadian citizenship. The cost of $530 is believed to more closely reflect the actual cost of processing the citizenship application in a timely manner.

According to CIC, since implementing the new streamlined system, more than 115,000 people have gained Canadian citizenship, which is a 90 percent increase since last year. Furthermore, thanks to faster and more efficient application processing, the government says it is on track towards eliminating the citizenship application backlog and hopes to reduce processing times to less than 1 year in 2015.

For more details regarding the increase in citizenship application fees, please visit the Government of Canada website at: Citizenship fees.