Sector Table: Economic Integration
The Economic Integration Sector Table tackles challenges related to immigrants’ economic participation and labour market outcomes. This Sector has developed and is implementing a comprehensive strategy that involves immigrants, employers, service providers, and the economic development sector. Current action plans include: establishing clearer pathways to economic opportunity; creating specialized routes to employment and capital through mentorships, internships, business start-up micro-loans and training; developing immigrant attraction and retention strategies; and improving coordination among partners to increase efficiency and impact when helping immigrants achieve their economic goals.
Priority #1: To extend and improve the strategic alignment among institutions and initiatives concerned with newcomer economic integration.
Priority #2: To help immigrants navigate towards employment opportunities in a changing labour environment.
Priority #3: To reduce barriers that impede small and medium-sized enterprises from hiring immigrants.
Priority #4: To promote and support entrepreneurship among Ottawa newcomers.
Priority #5: To enhance Ottawa’s ability to recruit newcomers by projecting itself, and the national capital region, as a diverse, world-class capital that welcomes skilled immigrants and international students.
Priority #6: To clarify misconceptions and myths about immigrant capabilities and contributions in order to improve receptivity.
OLIP Partners at the Economic Integration Sector Table
Mengistab Tsegaye | Executive Director, World Skills, Co-chair of the Economic Integration Sector Table |
Jane Duchscher | Executive Director, Ottawa Community Loan Fund |
Michael Kelly | Regional Advisor, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ministry of Seniors Affairs, Ministry of the Status of Women |
Laura Koivisto-Khazaal | Director, Immigrant Partner Programs, Ottawa Community Loan Fund |
Sonya Parno | Manager, Social Support Centre West, Community and Social Services Department, City of Ottawa |
Rhonda Beauregard | Program Manager, Employment Services, Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre |
Kelly Mertl | Director, Community Initiatives, United Way Ottawa |
Ingrid Argyle | Program Manager, Ottawa Employment Hub, Algonquin College |
Pierre Louis Valin | Operations Manager, Community Partnerships and Immigrant Programs & Services, La Cité des affaires |
Edwige Affaa | Agente de projet, Le Réseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’est de l’Ontario |
Henry Akanko | Director, Hire Immigrants Ottawa |
Ying Xie | Manager, Employment Programs, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre |
Ray Barton | Vitesse Reskilling, Vitesse Canada |
Melanie Vaughan | Senior Director, Employment and Immigrant Services, YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region |
Alexis Dominguez Ochoa | Manager of Community Economic Development, OCISO |