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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

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Agenda

LMLIP Employment Sub-Council Date and Time: January 27, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: Room 604 (sixth floor), 141 Dundas Street

Item Description

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Approval of November 18, 2015 Minutes

3. Additions to Agenda

4. Reports and Actions from Previous Business (2013-2016 Strategic Plan)

a. We Are London TV Show: Martin Withenshaw

b. We Are Middlesex TV Show: Pauline Andrew

c. Session with the Small Business Centre: Ayshin Mousavi/Pauline Andrew d. London & Middlesex Resource Fair: Jennifer Hollis

5. LMLIP Strategic Plan 2016-2019 – Discussion of draft plan: Wilma de Rond 6. Round table updates 7. New Business 8. Chairperson’s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items

9. Adjourn

10. Next Meeting: March 16, 2016 – Councilors Lounge, Middlesex County Building

(399 Ridout St. N)


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Minutes

LMLIP Employment Sub-council Date and Time: January 27, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: Board Room- WIL Employment Connections, 141 Dundas Street, 6

th floor

Present: Robert Collins, Bill Pigram, Martin Withenshaw, Nancy McQuillan, Bharati Sethi, Wilma de Rond, Pauline Andrew, Jennifer Hollis, Ayshin Mousavi, Vivette Martin

Regrets: Christelle Desforges

Absent: Yvonne Lindsay Guest: Thomas Briginshaw, Middlesex Project Officer

Item Description Information, Update, Action, Lead and Due Date

1. Chair’s Opening Remarks Wilma de Rond welcomed members and noted Nathan Ross has now retired. 2. Adoption of Previous Minutes Motion to approve November 18, 2015 Minutes was moved by Nancy McQuillan, seconded by Pauline Andew and approved. 3. Additions to Agenda No additions. 4. Reports and Actions from Previous Business

a. We Are London: Martin Withenshaw

Update from Laila Almawy - had some trouble getting the media group together, so unsure where the program is going;

Five cooking segments were shot: Dutch, Ethiopian, Polish, Korean, Caribbean and Italian. There are enough episodes to last until April;

There were unforeseen problems with some shooting, so earlier episodes will play, and

London’s episodes are completed, unless the committee decides they want to do more. Laila’s contract expires in November.

b. We are Middlesex: Pauline Andrew

Laila was present and gave feedback. She expressed, what worked - the project was organized, planned, hosts were good. The visuals and B roll increased the animated content to 5, 10 minute segments; (don’t know what she means)

Laila expressed the collaboration between We Are Middlesex and We Are London, which was positive;

Culinary segments will all be shot in one day, still to be determined what this will look like;

The committee expressed the production was able to go on without too many


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challenges. Shannon and Pauline will continue as hosts, and

In 2016: we will be showcasing the eight municipalities and the mayors. Need to look at how this ties into the new immigrant population. Need lots of brainstorming and conversations to attract culture, entrepreneurism and volunteerism.

c. Session with Small Business Centre: Pauline Andrew & Ayshin Mousavi

Has been a challenge to meet with conflicting schedule;

Ayshin Mousavi has created a plan for the sessions and has put information together for the sub-council to give feedback. This session will help people who are trying to start a new business;

Four new people have been added to the panel for their expertise. Chris Clifford and Hatem Abouzeenni from Scotiabank, Terry Webb Wheable Centre for Adult Education, Mark Richardson, London Public Library;

Tentative dates proposed are April 27, May 4 or June 15;

Location - needs to be free of charge;

Suggestions from the group: Bring the panel to the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), to speak at the “English for Employment in the Small Business Sector” class. Need to do some research as how many people are in the course;

Moving forward; Ayshin/Pauline will have a conversation with Terry Webb on how to proceed and if this event is feasible at Wheable, and

There is a video that could be used instead of having two business owners, since there may be too many people on the panel.

d. London and Middlesex Resource Fair: Jennifer Hollis, Pauline Andrew, Martin Withenshaw and Christelle Desforges

Members were asked to register if they have not yet done so; the audience are employers;

The goal is to have employers comprise 90% of attendees. There are around 75 individuals, event will be on February 3;

Middlesex County has provided the venue in kind and the Francophone network has provided free French translation;

Each table will get two scenarios; there will be 12 resource booths around the room. Each scenario answer will lead someone to a booth;

If you are attending the event and see another sub-council member, take a separate table;

Every booth is invited to have two designates, a door prize and the opportunity to collect business cards;

The morning will include a hot breakfast at 7am;

Parking may be challenging, a map will be sent out. Businesses are invited to come a day earlier to set up;

Please continue to circulate information about the event, it is in the best interest of newcomers and employers, and

Fanshawe and Western are active referral partners.

5. LMLIP Strategic Plan 2016-2019 – Discussion of draft plan: Wilma de Rond

Wilma provided the group with the new ratified themes and provided new information. She noted that the outcomes of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada are the ultimate goals we want to connect to. We are now more equipped to be able to support the LIP as an employment sub-council

Central Council had a good discussion about the mandate of what LMLIP is


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doing in the community. The Governance Task Group formulated and approved the strategic themes.

The key points were bringing everyone back to the mandate of the LIP – we do not provide services, cannot seek out funding opportunities, or develop positions to address these specific issues.

One significant theme is communication and information sharing. Communication internally, between sub-councils, and the community. We need to communicate what these issues are.

Some discussion: something we should do as a Sub-council is more data collection. Collectively what work has been done with the LIP and the Labour Council? How often does the LIP have a conversation with the Job Development Network?

To raise awareness with employers – is there something we can do to celebrate this? Celebrating those that are reaching out can be good to encourage others to do the same.

Example- with Syrian refuges, they are getting ‘survival jobs’. They are still learning the language, but exciting they are accessing services so fast, and finding jobs. Is this something that can be done through I am London? There could be an opportunity to collaborate with ICE Sub-Council.

Can we support all of these networks to bring the community succinct info?

Is there a skill shortage or a mismatch of skills?

Create specific data sheets, plan something along the lines of ‘Day of Learning

Wilma will review suggestions and send out revised Strategic Plan Charts to members for further input as soon as possible.

6. Round Table updates

Jennifer Hollis: After employers indicated a desire to help employ Syrian refugees, LMIEC has been identified as the one stop access point for those seeking to hire Syrian refugees. Link to LMIEC will be added to the Immigration portal.

Bharati Sethi: hosting Social Work week March 7, 2016 at King’s College. Will be discussing the relationship between employment and health. Her exhibition ‘Photovoice’ showcases findings from women into 21 art pieces. More information will be sent out.

7. New Business None.

8. Chairperson’s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items Wilma thanked the group for coming.

9. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.

10. Next Meeting Location and Date: March 16, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 p.m, Councilors Lounge at the Middlesex County Building (399 Ridout St N)


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Agenda

LMLIP Employment Sub-Council Date and Time: March 16, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: Councilors Lounge, Middlesex County Building, 399 Ridout St. N

Item Description


2. Approval of January 27, 2016 Minutes


4. Reports and Actions from Previous Business (2013-2016 Strategic Plan)



c. Session with the Small Business Centre: Ayshin Mousavi/Pauline Andrew d. London & Middlesex Resource Fair – Final Update: Jennifer Hollis

5. LMLIP Strategic Plan 2016-2019 – Discussion of the final draft plan: Wilma de Rond 6. Round table updates 7. New Business 8. Dates for next year’s meetings ( currently third Wednesday of the month, 1-3 pm April 20, June

15, Sep 21, Nov 16 2016; January 18 and March 15 2017) –We need to confirm the dates with the group and location with Pauline)

9. Chairperson’s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items

10. Adjourn


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Minutes

LMLIP Employment Sub-council Date and Time: March 16, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: Councillors Lounge, Middlesex County Building,(399 Ridout St N

Present: Christelle Desforges, Robert Collins, Bill Pigram, Nancy McQuillan, Wilma de Rond, Pauline Andrew, Jennifer Hollis, Ayshin Mousavi, Maria D’Souza

Regrets: Martin Withenshaw, Yvonne Lindsay, Bharati Sethi, Huda Hussein

Guest: Thomas Briginshaw, Middlesex Project Officer


1. Chair’s Opening Remarks

Wilma de Rond welcomed members.

2. Adoption of Previous Minutes

Motion to approve January 27, 2016 Minutes was moved by Robert Collins, seconded by Nancy McQuillan and approved.


No additions.

4. Reports and Actions from Previous Business

a. We are London: Martin Withenshaw (no update since he could not attend)


Series producer Leila Almawy, Cindy Howard and Pauline Andrew met to discuss the direction and development of the series;

The journey through Middlesex will include a historical account with the mayor introducing each municipality. Historic buildings, stores, parks and churches will be showcased. A walk through downtown areas of Lucan, Strathroy etc are planned;

The search is on for a new host as Shannon Churchill is no longer available;

There will be more snapshots and travelling for the cameraman;

Stories of immigrant journeys will be captured, and

Cooking segments may be replaced with a culinary journey through Middlesex County featuring immigrants’ that have started businesses related to food such as Heeman’s Berry Farm and Appleland.

e. Panel of Experts and Small Business Information session: Pauline Andrew & Ayshin Mousavi


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The session will be held at Wheable Adult Education Centre. The response from the Centre has been very positive. It will be held on April 27 from 9:30-12:30 pm;

Invitations will be extended to former attendees. Around 40 people are expected to attend and Pauline will confirm the number to see if others can be invited. Past Wheable students will also be invited to attend;

The invitations and agenda have been drafted;

Panel of experts include: Hatem Abouzeenni from Scotiabank, Mark Richardson, London Public Library, Phil Singeris from the London Small Business Centre, Nicole Musicco from the City of London and Steven Teal of Szemenyei MacKenzie Group;

New immigrant entrepreneurs will be featured;

As Nancy McQuillan is away, Susan Abdulla will assist with the event, and

Donations of goody bags, food and coffee are sought;

f. London and Middlesex Resource Fair – Final Update: Jennifer Hollis,

Jennifer Hollis noted that it was a successful event with 84 people attending. She thanked Christelle Desforges, Martin Whitenshaw and Pauline Andrew for their efforts.

Attendee breakdown was as follows:

53 employer representatives covering 42 companies

14 employer resource exhibitors

6 other service providers

2 politicians

9 LMLIP representatives (Staff and LMLIP Employment Sub-council members)

Employers were surveyed after the event and 24% responded. Their responses can be found at: http://www.questionpro.com/t/PTFyZTjDq, and

A major outcome of the fair was that Cuddy’s Farms arranged with Wheable to conduct ESL classes on site.

5. LMLIP Strategic Plan 2016-2019 – Discussion of final draft plan: Wilma de Rond

The Strategic Draft Plan was reviewed and finalized by the Sub-council.


Robert Collins: A video called “Start in London” has been uploaded on the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) website. Designed to attract international entrepreneurs to London, the video will be translated into various languages including Mandarin and Spanish.

LEDC is collaborating with CTV on a series called, “London and Area Works”. Guests featured on the TV program report that it has generated responses from new clients.

LEDC is organizing two community job fairs called “London and Area Job Fair” on April 14 and October 18. The fairs are targeted at employers looking to hire.

LEDC are organizing an event on November 3 to focus on London’s technology requirements. Community agencies are being requested to prepare job seekers

http://www.questionpro.com/t/PTFyZTjDq


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for participation in job fairs.

Pauline Andrew: Looking to duplicate the Session with the Small Business Centre for the Business Help Centre in Poplar Hill.

Episode 6 of We are Middlesex is currently airing.

Thomas Briginshaw: The Local Employment Planning Council completed its Strategic Plan on March 16. It will be launched to the public in May.

Ayshin Mousavi: Sears has a position available for a Clinique beauty advisor.

Christelle Desforges: The Reseaux will be holding an event in March targeted at employers in northern Ontario.

An event for international francophone students was held at Western University on March 15.

Jennifer Hollis: The London-Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council (LMIEC) is formulating its Strategy Plan, which will be finalized in May and launched in the fall.

Nancy McQuillan: London Employment Help Centre (LEHC) is organizing an event, “Refueling the Fund” on May 13. The event is aimed at generating revenue to refuel the fund that the LEHC uses to help its clients and their families with food, transportation, clothing and supports.

Wilma de Rond: WIL Employment Services organizes the ‘Steps for Success’ series regularly. Different topics are covered by various speakers with the aim of helping clients to integrate into the workplace.

7. New Business

None.


Wilma mentioned that she would make changes to the Strategy Plan and forward it to Project staff. She thanked the group for attending.

9. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 2:50 pm.

10. Next Meeting Location and Date:

April 20, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 p.m, Location to be decided.


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Agenda

LMLIP Employment Sub-Council Date and Time: April 20, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: LMLIP Office, 141 Dundas Street, 3

rd floor

Item Description


2. Approval of March 16, 2016 Minutes


4. Final Reports and Actions from Previous Business (2013-2016 Strategic Plan):



5. Annual Implementation Plan 2016-2017: Prioritizing - Wilma de Rond Session with the Small Business Centre: Ayshin Mousavi/Pauline Andrew

6. Round table updates 7. New Business 8. Chairperson’s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items

9. Adjourn

10. Next meeting: June 15, 2016, Councilors Lounge, Middlesex County Building, 399 Ridout St. N


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Minutes

LMLIP Employment Sub-council Date and Time: April 20, 2016 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: LMLIP Office, 141 Dundas Street 3

rd floor

Present: Martin Withenshaw, Robert Collins, Wilma de Rond, Jennifer Hollis, Yvonne Lindsay, Bharati Sethi, Huda Hussein

Regrets: Christelle Desforges, Bill Pigram, Pauline Andrew, Ayshin Mousavi, Nancy McQuillan, Maria D’Souza


1. Chair’s Opening Remarks

Wilma de Rond welcomed members. 2. Adoption of Previous Minutes

Motion to approve March 16,, 2016 meeting was deferred due to absence of a seconder who attended March meeting.


Add two standing items on the agenda under New Business:

Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC)

London Economic Road Map Motion to accept the updated agenda moved by Jennifer Hollis, seconded by Bharati Sethi.

4. Final Reports and Actions from Previous Business (2013-2016)

a. We are London: Martin Withenshaw:

The Media Engagement Work Group is no longer active and therefore there is no update


Pauline is away and no update was provided

5. Annual Implementation Plan 2016-2017: Prioritizing - Wilma de Rond

Wilma noted that the next Session with the Small Business Centre will fall under the Implementation plan for 2016-2017. Event is planned for April 27, 2016. Pauline Andrew and Ayshin Mousavi are away and no update was provided.

Group agreed to capture this action under the theme of “Supports and services for Immigrants”


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Group reviewed the Employment Plan and discussed the following:

Under the first theme of “Welcoming communities”; the group decided to address the priority of raising awareness of success related to immigrant employment. Group discussed how to proceed with an event that will recognize employers who hire immigrants and showcase successful stories of immigrants who are employed while being mindful of what London-Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council (LMIEC) is doing in terms of acknowledging employers who hire immigrants. In response to Wilma’s question as to how to proceed with this strategy: The following options were raised:

By showcasing successful stories of immigrants, other immigrants will be inspired to learn that they can succeed as well and remove any myths around employment

Employment process, the steps taken toward successful employment. This will include the employer, services and immigrant

An event that celebrate champions within the employer and immigrants will help others to learn about available resources (an indirect outcome)

Showcase employers as per sector and size

Highlight success stories – immigrant and employer throughout the year leading up to a recognition event

Demonstrate to employers the need to hire foreign trained immigrants as our population is diminishing and we will rely on immigrants

Showcase successful immigrants throughout the year – Huda notified the group that the Inclusion & Civic Engagement (ICE) Sub-council is planning to use a different format for their annual I am London social campaign. The ICE Sub-council is looking into showcasing one story per month from January to December 2017 coinciding with the Canada 150 celebration

Group decided:

To check in with the ICE Sub-council to explore working together to showcase four of the 12 participants related to the success in employment

An event to culminate the showcasing of the four stories

For further impact, use a variety of venues to showcase such as London Free Press which showcases a profile of a person on Mondays; a show on Rogers TV; CTV through London & Area Works; faith groups to reach immigrants who have not yet accessed services

As the Sub-council will meet in two months, the group was requested to think about successful stories, strategies to get out to community, and conduits of finding successful stories.

Under the theme of “Communication and access to information”, the group discussed the first priority (Access to current and relevant information related to employment sector).

The activity of researching facts for the area was discussed. It was noted that London and Middlesex lack data on employment whereas other regions have data in terms of the education level of immigrants coming to the regions, the skill sets and employment. There is a need to find this information in the different categories of immigration. It was noted that Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board has recently hired a researcher to carry out research on the local information market. Martin was requested to check in and report back if some information relevant to immigrant employment in the region may be extracted from

a. Wilma to connect with Rose Aquino to discuss the I am London and if Employment Sub-council idea

Martin to share with Wilma the criterion for the Chamber Award for Ability First Coalition

Martin will check with the researcher and report back

Huda to check with


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the research that is underway.

Wilma noted that at this stage, this Sub-council may gather information on what is available and to work on a fact sheet next year.

Jennifer noted that in the event that no research is available, the group may explore how to work with other partners to pool funds to hire a researcher.

Under the third theme, “Coordination and collaboration”, the group discussed the first priority with an idea of establishing a baseline on what is known, what is not, what is available and what is needed.

The group discussed how to address this information gap. The group discussed having a directory of services. Huda informed group that the Networking for an Inclusive Community (NIC) produces and updates an annual directory of services and shares it with their e-list.

Group discussed how to make use of such directory, how to navigate and equip individuals with such information. Action will be taken once the group reviews the NIC Directory of Services.


Robert Collins: May 18, the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) will be hosting a Job Fair with 795 various job opportunities. The event is posted on the website and 113 individuals have already registered

Bharati Sethi – King’s University College has its Open House on May 7

Jennifer Hollis: The London-Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council (LMIEC) is completing its strategic plan which will be launched in the fall

Wilma de Rond: WIL Employment Services is finalizing its strategic plan which has been approved. The plan will be presented to staff on Friday followed by two further sessions focused on first year implementation plan..

Huda Hussein – LMLIP strategic plan for 2016-2019 will be ratified by Council on Monday April 25; print copies may be distributed in June meetings

7. New Business

Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC) – Martin Withenshaw

Martin reported that the LEPC has completed its project stage in March and is currently completing its Strategic Plan; the final strategy will be sent for approval to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The team of the project is composed of four project officers. Wilma de Rond represents Employment Sector Council London-Middlesex, and Robert Collins represents the London Economic Development Corporation on the central planning committee.

London Economic Road Map:

This group is seen as a working group of the LEPC; Robert is the vice chair for the employment sector of this group. The group is collecting information on available employment resources; agencies and projects such as LMIEC have been approached; LMLIP will also be approached to provide information on resources.

Robert noted that it will be valuable to compare and contrast LEPC and the London

the SWO LIPs if they know of any employment specific data for the region

Huda to send the group the most recent NIC Directory

Martin will continue to update the Sub-


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Economic Road Map along with other initiatives to crystalize some of the action and confirm the work of difference among groups and ultimately identifying those with similar focus. Martin is working on comparing the two projects.


Wilma thanked the group for their participation and commitment.

9. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 2:50 pm.

10. Next Meeting Location and Date:

June 15 2016 1:00 – 3:00 p.m, Councilors Lounge, Middlesex County Building, 399 Ridout St N.

council

agenda - london, ontarioimmigration.london.ca/lmlip/about-lmlip/documents... · szemenyei mackenzie...

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