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
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 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
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
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
The target beneficiary of the work of OLIP is the whole community. In this short period we have planted together important seeds for Ottawa’s development.  

Dick Stewart
OLIP Council
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
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
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
OLIP helps to unite and share scarce resources for greater impact by working together in the field of student education.

Walter Piovesan
Associate Director of Education, Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Keynote Speech by Corinne Prince St. Amand

August 21, 2015

corinneThe forum keynote presentation was delivered by Corinne Prince St. Amand, Director General of the Integration-Foreign Credentials Referral Office, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Corinne’s presentation titled: “Trends and Policies Affecting Ottawa’s Progress” provided an overview of immigration trends and the global drivers that generate the high number of new immigrants coming to Canada every year. She pointed out several factors that will continue to influence migration to Canada or emerge as trends including: the state of the European economy; world conflicts; and impacts of environmental changes.

Corinne also spoke about recent changes in immigration policy and systems, particularly the Express Entry System, “a hybrid system introduced in 2008, based on a human capital approach, but with intake controls and occupational filters.” Corrine explained that the Express System is in its early stages of implementation; and that the involvement of employers and Provinces/Territories is helping to improve the labour market responsiveness of the economic selection system.

Forum participants were also informed of other immigration policy reforms, including changes to the Caregiver Program, and improvements to the Provincial Nominee Program to address program integrity issues and responsiveness to labour market needs.

Click here to view Corinne Prince St. Amand’s presentation

Click here to read the presentation delivered by Corinne Prince St. Amand, the keynote speaker of the 3rd Ottawa Immigration Forum