On a beautiful Friday afternoon in the
middle of summer, hundreds of Canadians and immigrants came together to
celebrate their shared love for Hamilton and how it is shaped and enriched by
newcomers. Organized by the Hamilton
Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC), and hosted at Hamilton City Hall on
July 27, the city’s first Newcomer Day featured entertainment, food, and family
activities, including storytelling, ping pong, and dancing with Salsa Soul
Productions.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger greeted a large and
growing lunchtime crowd at the Opening Ceremony and noted that he himself is an
immigrant to Canada:
“Hamilton is a city with a long history of
welcoming all who are looking to build a new life…. By providing Hamilton’s
newest residents with the support needed to call Hamilton home, we all benefit
from their contributions to our economy, and the enrichment of our cultural
life.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the jazzy rendition
of “O Canada” performed by singer Lauren Mikayla, with Mike Rajczak on the
drums. Both musicians are part of the Hamilton reggae group Riddim Riders.
Inside City Hall, more than 30 service
providers made connections and promoted
their services, including employment training, business start-up supports, and
refugee-focused healthcare. The day also featured free workshop on a variety of
topics such as housing rights and financial wellness.
At the citizenship ceremony held in Council
Chambers, members of the public packed the room to witness 40 individuals
become Canadian citizens.
HIPC is a community table that brings
together key local organizations with the goal of creating welcoming community
and a seamless settlement experience for newcomers. It is funded by Immigration
Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The power of community was evident in the
incredible turnout across the afternoon, including more than 80 volunteers.
Thank you!
Sarah Wayland is the Senior Project Manager
for the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council. You can learn more about HIPC
at hamiltonimmigration.ca, and please follow us on Twitter! @hipcHamilton