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 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 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
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
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 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
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
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

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