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
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
All the WOW events that I went to were great – WOW does give a sense of a community trying to improve its attraction and retention!

Caroline Andrew
Professor, 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 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
The WOW seminar on immigrant women’s nutrition and health was a step in the right direction towards closing the gap between academic researchers and service providers.

Josephine Etowa
Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
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
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

Forum Overview

December 30, 2021

The 6th Biennial Ottawa Immigration Forum was held on November 22 and 23, 2021 under the theme “Equity Matters in Ottawa: Policy, Practice and Potential” and over 380 OLIP partners and stakeholders participated. During the two half-day online forum, more than 20 speakers from across Canada reflected on the vulnerabilities experienced by immigrants and racialized populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided insights on their root causes, and shared ideas and opportunities for local action to improve equity in key areas. Numerous topics were discussed including:

  • Lessons learned from the pandemic and the way forward
  • Ottawa’s potential to achieve equitable outcomes
  • Impact of the new federal mandate on Ottawa
  • Role of municipalities in affecting positive change
  • Immigrants’ access to quality jobs and safe workplaces

The forum was co-hosted by the Government of Canada, City of Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health, Reseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’est de l’Ontario, Ottawa Health Team and Britannia Woods Community House.