City of Brantford and community partners launch Brantford Immigration Partnership

BRANTFORD, ON – The City is pleased to announce the launch of the Brantford Immigration Partnership (BIP), a group of dedicated community partners who are working to ensure that the city of Brantford continues to be a welcoming and inclusive community for all. The BIP’s overall goal is to see that all immigrants to our community feel a sense of belonging and are able to succeed and participate in the economic, social, civic, and cultural growth of our city.

“We are very grateful to the community partners that have joined the Brantford Immigration Partnership to provide their expertise and unique and diverse perspectives,” says Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “By working together to successfully position the city as a welcoming destination for newcomers, we can continue to attract and retain a skilled workforce and create a thriving and culturally vibrant community.”

The new Brantford.ca/BIP website provides details on how the community can get involved in BIP, upcoming projects and community events, helpful links to resources for newcomers and more. Residents can also join the conversation on a new Facebook group at https://bit.ly/BIPFacebook. Members can share stories and learn more about Brantford’s diverse cultural community.

“We’ve received an incredible response from our community partners and there is definitely a lot of excitement about this important initiative,” says David Vujasinovich, BIP Coordinator, City of Brantford. “We’re looking forward to continuing to build the partnership and the positive things the Brantford Immigration Partnership will bring to our growing city.”

Today, the City released the BIP video series that highlights several different newcomer stories, their individual experiences in settling in the city, and why they are proud to call Brantford home. Additionally, the video series features updates from contributing BIP community partners and service providers. The entire video series can be viewed at Brantford.ca/BIP.

Newcomers to Brantford offer high levels of skills, education, and training; they contribute to the local economy, and to the enrichment of cultural life in Brantford. The Brantford Immigration Partnership (BIP) is an important opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion, and to ensure newcomers are able to successfully contribute to the economic, social, civic, and cultural growth of Brantford.

The BIP has been meeting virtually since July 2020 to engage representatives from various sectors including settlement, education, health care, economic development, faith groups and cultural associations. To learn more or to get involved with BIP, please visit Brantford.ca/BIP.

Quick Facts

• In March 2020, the City received federal funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in the amount of $1,460,907 to support the development and operation of a Local Immigration Partnership in Brantford for a period of five years, from 2020 to 2025
• Brantford is rapidly becoming more ethnically and culturally diverse, with six per cent of the total population having arrived in Canada between 2001 and 2016


- 30 - 


Media Contact:

Heather Carvalho | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement

City of Brantford | 519.759.4150 ext. 5741 | hcarvalho@brantford.ca