Pathways to Prosperity 2020 National Conference ​ The Future of Immigration and (Re)Settlement in Canada

Pathways to Prosperity is pleased to be holding a virtual conference this year in lieu of our usual annual national conference, with many of the features of our in-person conferences for which we have come to be known. This includes plenaries, a keynote speaker, workshops, posters, exhibitors, and opportunities to network with colleagues. Join researchers, service providers, Local Immigration Partnerships, Réseaux en immigration francophone, representatives of all levels of government, and others working in the area of immigration for a three-day event on immigration in an increasingly complex environment.

On Monday November 23 and Tuesday November 24, the P2P Annual National Conference will run from 11:00 AM EST to 4:45 PM EST, with evening activities on November 23 for interested parties. The conference will focus on immigration and (re)settlement in Canada in this time of a worldwide pandemic and increased awareness of the racism and discrimination facing immigrants every day. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities for change now and in the coming years.

Day 1 – Immigration and (Re)Settlement in the Time of a Pandemic

The first day of the conference will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigration and (re)settlement in Canada. We will discuss the vulnerabilities of Canada’s immigration and (re)settlement policies and practices exposed as a result of the pandemic, including the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized groups and those providing services to these groups, as well as the resiliencies that have been evident in addressing these vulnerabilities. We will also discuss principles for action based on what we have learned, and recommendations for optimizing future immigration policy and immigrant (re)settlement and integration in Canada.

Day 2 – Toward a Racism and Discrimination Free Canada

The second day of the conference will focus on the prevalence and impact of racism and discrimination toward immigrants in Canada, and how we can actively work toward a racism and discrimination free Canada. There is extensive evidence demonstrating that discrimination toward immigrants is primarily based on racial, ethnic, and religious differences, and that a lens of intersectionality must be applied if we wish to reduce the discrimination that immigrants face daily in our society. We will explore these issues, linking them also to the vulnerabilities revealed by the pandemic and its differential impact on marginalized immigrant groups. We will hold multi-level discussions of these issues with the goal of developing actionable recommendations for change.

On Wednesday November 25, the full day conference for Local Immigration Partnerships and Réseaux en immigration francophone will run from 11:00 AM EST to 4:45 PM EST, focusing on upcoming priorities set by these collaborative enterprises.

More details about the agenda for both events will be posted as they become available.