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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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

Reflective Engagement

March 5, 2013

To highlight the diverse ways that immigrants contribute to our society, a range of social and cultural activities were planned for participants at the Ottawa Immigration Forum. Using a variety of mediums, these sessions provoked thinking about our similarities and differences and the richness that results from our diversity, while stimulating exchange between participants.

Il y a nous: Hommage au multiculturalisme de la Ville de Granby, Quebec / Here we are: Tribute to multiculturalism of the City of Granby, Quebec

A musical performance, which was developed by Christian Morisset, Frey Guevara and Louis-Philippe Janvier and celebrates humanity and cultural diversity, served as the Forum’s opening anthem.

Click here here to view the video.

 

“Why am I at the First Annual Ottawa Immigration Forum today?”                                                 

Participants were asked to give their reasons for  attending the Forum. Although articulated in different ways, participants expressed an enormous interest and commitment to helping immigrants build their lives in Ottawa and become fully integrated and productive members of our community.
Click here to read the full content of participant reflections.

 

“Friendly Shores, Open Doors”: Summary of the Forum Content by Greg Frankson

Renowned Canadian spoken word artist and social activist Greg Frankson was one of the Forum participants. He offered a poetic summary of the Forum’s spirit and content.

Click here to read Greg Frankson’s Forum Summary Through Poetry.

 

 

@ the Movies with OLIP

OLIP also presented an afternoon at the movies, which featured five independent films from the National Film Board, on a variety of themes that give voice to the pressing issues of immigrant integration, followed by discussion sessions.

– Everybody’s Children
– Doctors Without Residency
– Hanging On
– Une femme de tête
 – The Downtown Project

 

“World Languages Collection” display by the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) presented a captivating literary display featuring some titles from the OPL World Languages Collection. This collection showcases books and other materials in nine heritage languages. Three writers of immigrant descent presented their works to Forum participants.

Marie -Yanick Dutelly                                    Denise Chong                           Romi Caron
Actress, singer, author                                          Author                                   Illustrator