My nomination is an indication that our hard work in building Canada is recognized. All we do is to serve the community in return for embracing us when we needed it.  

Mehdi Mahdavi
Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards Nominee
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre is so happy to have joined the OLIP Health and Wellbeing Sector Table. It is clear that OLIP cares about immigrants and refugees and…

Wendy Tang, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre
The work and expertise that OLIP brings to our community is so important as it helps us to build bridges and break down silos.  I look forward to our continued work together. 

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
Canada has been shaped by people who came from all over the world to build this country. WOW offers a platform for us to celebrate this history and the future it will help…

Alex Munter, Chair of the OLIP Council and President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
The OLIP Council is committed to leadership.  In only a few years, we have a common vision and priorities, and are up to the task of implementing the Ottawa Immigration Strategy.

Salimatou Diallo
OLIP Council Vice Chair, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
In our city’s history, immigrants have always played an important role. They build our economic prosperity, diversify our culture, contribute to our social vitality.

Jim Watson
Mayor of Ottawa
I was happy to see integration to Algonquin territory and indigenous culture related programming in 2014 WOW. Please continue to involve local Aboriginal organisations and…

Linda Manning
WOW 2014 participant, Senior Fellow, University of Ottawa
I’m really impressed with the level of energy and commitment around the Health and Wellbeing table and look forward to continuing collaboration between OLIP and OPH.

Marcela Tapia
Ottawa Public Health
We are very pleased to have done the “Opportunity Cost of Not Investing in Interpretation” report – it is so important to have clarity on these challenges and…

Hindia Mohamoud, Director, OLIP
The City of Ottawa will continue to play a lead role in the implementation of the Ottawa Immigration Strategy, just as we did in the founding of OLIP.

Steve Desroches
City Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Ottawa

Yasir Naqvi Appointed OLIP’s New Chair

October 8, 2020
Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Yasir Naqvi as the new Chair of OLIP. Yasir’s appointment was confirmed at the OLIP Council meeting held on October 7, 2020. Yasir succeeds Alex Munter who served as OLIP Chair since 2016. Under Alex’s leadership, OLIP grew and accomplished a lot including the…

Equity and Inclusion in COVID-19 Response

August 9, 2020
Equity and Inclusion
By Sawsan Al-Refaei, Partner and Stakeholder Initiatives, Community and Social Services, City of Ottawa The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on the lives of Ottawa residents. As with most epidemics, COVID-19 has had a disproportionally negative impact on the lives of Indigenous Peoples and equity-seeking groups. It can make existing gender…

WOW 2020 Events Are Cancelled

June 25, 2020
We regret to inform you that due to the COVID-19 pandemic Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW) and Welcoming Ottawa Ambassadors Award will not be held this year. With social distancing and other public health directives in place, we find it practically impossible for OLIP and WOW contributors to host WOW events in a way that will maximize opportunities for quality…

OLIP Statement on Anti-Racism

June 16, 2020
The Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP) condemns anti-Black racism and all forms of individual, institutional and systemic racism. We mourn George Floyd, Regis Korchiniski-Paquet, Abdirahman Abdi and others in the U.S. and Canada whose lives have been cut short.  We stand in solidarity with all who are affected.  We call for and commit to…

COVID-19 Updates

April 21, 2020
OLIP is supporting its partners, stakeholders and the community during the COVID pandemic in the following four ways: accelerating information flow between partners; convening weekly meetings to mobilize and coordinate actions focused on mitigating the health risks facing immigrants and racialized populations; contributing to LASI’s Operational Table…

OLIP Director Inducted to the Order of Ottawa

February 10, 2020
On November 21st, the OLIP’s Director, Hindia Mohamoud, was inducted into the Order of Ottawa by Mayor Jim Watson. The Order of Ottawa recognizes exceptional residents who have made a significant contribution in a professional capacity in many areas of city life, including arts and culture, business, community service, education, public service,…

Deborah Tunis Joined OLIP as Vice Chair

February 10, 2020
OLIP is thrilled to have welcomed Deborah Tunis as Vice-Chair of our 30+ member Partnership Council this summer. The OLIP Council provides strategic stewardship and oversight to OLIP’s community-based planning. Ms. Tunis brings over 40 years of leadership experience in the Canadian public service in a variety of policy areas, including the areas…

A Big Thanks to OLIP Students and Mentees

February 5, 2020
OLIP benefited from five students who contributed to OLIP’s work during 2019. Thank you Yara Rossi, Behar Emini, Ashma Huruse, Ismaeel Salad, and Nadira Kulane for your hard work! We were pleased to support your journeys to gainful and rewarding employment. Yara Rossi Yara worked with OLIP as Analyst and Information Manager…

City’s largest mural ‘transforms’ Ottawa Community Housing building

November 5, 2018
The city’s largest mural, entitled Transformation: The Welcoming Ottawa Mural was unveiled at 215 Wurtemburg on November 3. The mural is showcased on the south wall of the building, facing Rideau Street. It helps to beautify the building and highlight the diversity of the community. The concept for the mural comes from it’s aim – which is to celebrate…