Since late May, we’ve connected with over 600 community members across 16 events, and over 50 City staff in community-facing roles. These conversations have been focused on what’s working, identifying where gaps exist, and generating ideas on how the City can better support newcomers.

Early findings show a strong alignment between the experiences and ideas shared by community members and City staff. Below is a summary of key themes that have emerged so far.

Theme	What we heard
Employment and job Access	Need for tailored job supports, mentorship, internship pathways, and recognition of international experience.
Small business support	Interest in business training, access to funding, hands-on mentorship, and support networks.
Access to information	Gaps in awareness of services, programs, and rights. Calls for better navigation and plain-language info.
Housing	Concerns around affordability, discrimination, and navigating the housing system.
Language and communication	Requests for accessible language learning and interpretation supports.
Community belonging and networks	Value placed on cultural events, safe spaces, and inter-group connections.
Targeted supports	Desire for more nuanced services based on age, gender, migration journey, and cultural identity.
Collaboration and community assets	Strong interest in partnerships and co-designed solutions. Appreciation for existing services like libraries and community centres.

We recognize that some issues – such as immigration policy, credential recognition, and housing affordability – fall outside the City’s jurisdiction. These insights will be documented and shared with relevant partners wherever possible.

With the support of the Municipal Newcomer Strategy Working Group, we’re now moving into deeper conversations with newcomers based on the themes above. These discussions will refine priorities, explore potential actions, and group ideas to inform future decision-making.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the project lead, Ola Mise at Olabukonla.Mise@kitchener.ca or 519-783-8641 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994).