Surrey Local Immigration Partnership

Amid shifting immigration policies and tightened funding in Canada’s settlement sector, leaders say the growth of multicultural communities like Surrey will depend on stronger collaboration and shared resources. During a panel discussion titled Beyond Scarcity – Collaboration as New Currency, community, business, and First Nations leaders emphasized the urgency for employers and immigrant-facing organizations to work together.

Neelam Sahota, Co‑Chair, Surrey LIP, and CEO, DIVERSEcity, moderated the panel discussion as part of the Surrey LIP Community Forum. She urged the panellists to examine how cross-sector partnerships are adapting and what a ‘win-win’ outcome would be for everyone.

Matching skilled newcomers to jobs that require their skills would be a win-win collaboration, said Indra Bhan, COO, Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, highlighting how many newcomers arrive with real skills and trade experience but sometimes face challenges, such as getting their credentials recognized or learning how workplaces operate in Canada.

“When settlement organizations understand what employers actually need, and when employers are willing to offer mentorship or some bridge training, that’s when things really start to work.”

Read the full blog post on our website here: https://www.surreylip.ca/why-collaboration-is-needed-now-more-than-ever-for-surrey-to-thrive/

Surrey LIP was proud to be part of Unpacking Transit in Surrey, a panel organized by Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders this week.

Nicolas Tellez-Espana, Manager, Surrey LIP, joined Annie Ohana, Equity Department Head, LA Matheson Secondary; Adrianna S., Board Chair, Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) Advisory Committee; and Sukh Dhanjal, Support Worker, Surrey Women's Centre Society, to discuss the future of transit in .

Together, the panel spoke on the intersection of transportation, immigration, education, safety and food security and how these social issues can be tackled with a focus on more equitable transit oriented solutions for Surrey's growing population.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, including municipal candidates Jasroop Gosal, Councillor Candidate for Surrey First; Mike Starchuk, Mayoral Candidate for Imagine Surrey; and Janet Brown, Councillor Candidate for Surrey First.

What does collaboration look like in changing times?

Gather with community leaders, service providers, policymakers, and newcomers for “Beyond Scarcity: Collaboration as New Currency,” a dynamic forum focused on strengthening newcomer settlement and integration in Surrey.

We will hear insights from a panel of experts exploring what collaboration looks like in changing times. Lunch and refreshments will be provided as we come together to imagine new ways of working collectively.

Join us on Thursday, March 5, from 12 to 4 pm at the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex.

To register for the Surrey LIP Community Stakeholder Forum 2026, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/surrey-lip-community-stakeholder-forum-2026-tickets-1981875035582

Surrey Local Immigration Partnership Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs), first funded by IRCC in Ontario in 2008, allow for broad engagement of diverse stakeholders to develop a collective community response to newcomer needs.

Join community leaders, service providers, policymakers, and newcomers for a dynamic gathering on “Beyond Scarcity: Collaboration as New Currency,” focused on strengthening newcomer settlement and integration in Surrey.

We will hear insights from a panel of experts exploring what collaboration looks like in changing times. Lunch and refreshments will be provided as we come together to imagine new ways of working collectively.

The forum will take place on Thursday, March 5, from 12 to 4 pm at the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex.

To register for the Surrey LIP Community Stakeholder Forum 2026, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/surrey-lip-community-stakeholder-forum-2026-tickets-1981875035582

How do we respond to xenophobia in ways that are thoughtful, collaborative and grounded in community realities?

At the 2025 Pathways to Prosperity Conference in , Local Immigration Partnerships from across Canada came together to reflect on community-informed perspectives on addressing xenophobia at personal, systemic, institutional and local levels.

Those conversations have now been compiled into a Workshop Resource Guide, "Confronting Xenophobia Through Community Solutions".

Developed by Surrey LIP, Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, Langley LIP and Toronto Southwest LIP, this resource serves as a snapshot of evolving ideas, questions and practices shaping local work across the country.

We invite community partners to explore, reflect and build on this work.

🔗 Access the resource on our website at: https://www.surreylip.ca/reports/

📉 Retention of skilled immigrants is a growing challenge in Canada.

One in five migrants to Canada reportedly leaves for greener pastures within 25 years of landing, a figure that peaks within five years of their arrival, states The Leaky Bucket 2025 Report, which sheds light on retention trends in highly skilled and in-demand occupations.

The report also provides insights on how to encourage more talented immigrants to stay in Canada.

Read the full article and key suggestions on our website.

How communities in Canada can better retain skilled migrants - SurreyLIP Surrey LIP blog: How communities in Canada can better retain skilled migrants, according to the Leaky Bucket 2025 Report

Join us for Cultural Expression Night — an inspiring evening featuring performances by local dancers, musicians, poets and artists, plus a screening of our Stories of Impact!

Step into an evening dedicated to solidarity and celebration.

This gathering brings community members together to amplify and uplift diverse voices through art, music and movement.

Enjoy refreshments and performances from dancers, singers, drummers and poets from around the world, plus a screening of Surrey LIP’s Stories of Impact.

🎉 And don’t miss your chance to win amazing door prizes!

Prizes include movie and popcorn passes to Landmark Cinemas; passes to Central City Fun Park; 4 gift cards to Surrey Escape Room and 1 month of unlimited yoga at Yoga 360!

Join us on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 5–8 pm at the Civic Hotel.

Register via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cultural-expression-night-tickets-1976935686857

Are you new to Delta, BC?

We invite newcomers to share their experiences and needs by completing the Newcomer Needs Survey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Complete the survey by February 13, 2026, for a chance to win a $50 gift card!

To complete the survey, scan the QR code or click this link: https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/LanguageSelection.aspx?s=8D557536-C4F7-4E69-98A6-518788C0B9DF

Last month, Stories from the Land brought youth together for a meaningful, hands-on drum making workshop rooted in Indigenous knowledge and tradition.

Graciously facilitated by Stephen Armstrong, a member of Kwikwetlem First Nation and founder of Red Sockeye Consulting, the workshop invited youth to learn about Indigenous-style drum making and the important role drums play in Coast Salish ceremonies and storytelling. Through shared teachings and creative practice, participants experienced Indigenous knowledge firsthand, fostering respect, creativity, and a deeper sense of community.

This workshop is part of the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership’s Stories from the Land initiative and was funded by Canadian Heritage, supporting newcomer–Indigenous bridging events that further reconciliation and help build strong, respectful relationships.

Thank you to all the youth who participated and to Stephen for sharing his knowledge, time and craft so generously.

Connect with First Nations traditions through the art of drum making! 🥁

Youth ages 15 to 20 are invited to a drum making workshop guided by Stephen Armstrong from Kwikwetlem First Nation. Learn about the sacred significance of the drum in Indigenous culture and craft your own hand drum to take home!

This workshop will take place on Saturday, November 22 from 10 am to 12 pm at DIVERSEcity Surrey Community Campus.

📣 Only 20 spots available!

No prior experience needed. All materials and a light lunch will be provided.

To register, please email [email protected] or fill out the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/6csSuLSB2A

forms.office.com

Throwback to a night of learning and cultural exchange with Surrey LIP’s Stories from the Land event, now in it's third year!

This year, we were pleased to welcome Len Pierre who facilitated a lecture on the Coast Salish People and their connection to land.

We were honoured to also welcome Donovan Sylvester, a cultural advisor with Len Pierre Consulting who set the tone for the evening by performing a welcoming song and blessing the food which was catered by Tradish's The Ancestor Cafe.

Len’s presentation left us with meaningful takeaways and teachings focused on the Katzie First Nation, including:

🌅 For First Nation communities, Land is not something, Land is someone, which explains the tight connection between First Nations and the land that is now colonially known as Canada.

🌿 The importance of relations, and having and living in good relations extends beyond people and accounts for all living and non-living things in the environment.

🌎 Within First Nation communities, spirituality is at the core of their belief system. Everything around us has a spirit, the water, the earth, the trees ... Thus, when we talk about “respecting all my relations” that means we are all connected and interwoven.

We are grateful for the support of:
City of Surrey and Museum of Surrey for the venue and logistical support
Alex House (special thanks to Executive Director Penny Bradley) for connecting us with the right people to bring this vision to life
Surrey Libraries for sharing valuable resources and a reading list spotlighting Indigenous writers