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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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

Cancer Foundation Welcomes All

June 24, 2015

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is taking part in Welcoming Ottawa this week by opening the doors of its Maplesoft Centre for Cancer Survivorship, to help spread the word about its many services. As its web site explains, the Maplesoft Centre was designed to be a place of “quiet refuge, reflection, support and empowerment to cancer patients and their families throughout the cancer journey. The interior of the Centre is warm and welcoming, with all elements centered on creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere for all who visit.”

In this guest post, the Cancer Foundation’s Samantha Blair explains a bit about the Centre and its Welcoming Ottawa Week event.

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is pleased to be taking part in Welcoming Ottawa Week this year. The Cancer Foundation has a commitment to providing personalized care in our community. To ensure that health care remains accessible to new and long-time residents, we offer interpretation services to help overcome language and cultural barriers to care, as well as a new multifaith and meditation suite to facilitate quiet reflection and prayer.

On Wednesday, June 24 we invite you to visit us at our Alta Vista centre to take part in:

  • information sessions about Cancer Coaching, a service unique to the Centre that provides Cancer patients with education, support and practical skills development to help meet your physical, emotional, informational, and spiritual needs
  • tours of the Maplesoft Centre
  • Qigong classes
  • snacks and information on nutrition

Qigong is a meditative practice that focuses on aligning breath and movement together. Maya, the Qigong instructor, describes the importance of Qigong best when she says:

“We all have daily hygiene routines, such as brushing our teeth and washing our hands. With the growing popularity of Yoga and Qigong, we are learning that maintaining the daily hygiene of our energy is just as important as maintaining the hygiene of the body.”

Maya started practicing Qigong seven years ago while undergoing radiation therapy. This meditative practice helped her recover and changed her way of thinking about health. She has a background in science and is interested in bridging ancient and modern knowledge to benefit physical, mental and spiritual health.

If you’d like to learn more about Cancer Coaching or explore Qigong, please join us!

Location: Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, 1500 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON  K1G 3Y9. The building is fully accessible and there is free parking available on site.

Cost: No cost thanks to our generous supporter, the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Date: Wednesday June 24th

  • First Session from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
  • Second Session from 2:30 to 3:30 pm

Space is limited for the Qigong sessions, so please register by contacting Samantha Blair by phone 613-247-3527 or email: sblair@ottawacancer.ca