City council was presented with a partnership agreement to help new immigrants adjust to living in Lloydminster.
The Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) hopes to build a more inclusive society by providing services such as an advisory council so immigrants can have their voices heard. There are currently similar programs offered by the LIP in Edmonton, Jasper, Grand Prairie and so on.
Councillor Stephanie Munro says that the partnership is one that would be valued, but isn’t clear about its policy and city involvement. She adds that the city can have a role in helping immigrants transition into their new community, but the role would be a vague one.
“Possibly something very vague and open as to what we can do to help facilitate and make sure that the immigrants have the information they need in order to access resources such as health care.”
Some of the challenges new immigrants face are as simple as a language barrier. Councillor Munro also works in a health clinic and sees these challenges regularly.
“There is that language barrier so it really is hard for a lot of immigrants even to understand where they need to go and what they need to do.”
The Catholic Social Services is the only agency in Lloydminster where immigrants can go to receive the support they need.