Earlier this month, the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership released the results of its first Immigrant Survey conducted last year.
The survey was open to all immigrants who live or work in St. Thomas and Elgin county and that included permanent residents, international students, refugee claimants and temporary workers.
myFM asked manager Petrusia Hontar on her expectations associated with the survey.
According to participants, the top challenges were the cost of living (34% of respondents), finding healthcare (28%), and finding work (24%).
The top suggested solutions included more affordable housing (39%), better programs for immigrants to find work (36%), and employer education on hiring and retaining immigrants (29%).
It is worth noting that 37% of respondents experienced discrimination in the past 12 months.
While the number of respondents (99) to the survey was fewer than anticipated, the feedback overall was very positive.
Hontar advised the survey findings provide important insight into the experiences of some immigrants in our community.
The hope is the results will be used by local service providers, municipalities, and other community groups to inform policy, planning, and programs.
The survey indicated 84 per cent of respondents felt positive about interactions with municipal government and police services.
Hontar outlined one of the ways community members can assist newcomers to the city.
Hontar added it’s a really great way to welcome someone here and make them feel part of the community.
She indicated the aim is to update the survey every two years and myFM asked her what types of things will be undertaken in between surveys.
Hontar added, “We’re hoping to also start doing immigrant or newcomer forums. So, instead of doing the survey, we’re going to do more of the qualitative piece where people can talk and express some of their concerns and the benefits they are seeing in the community.”
