FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is proud to announce that Little Canada will be returning to the Canoo app effective May 12, 2025. The partnership is not just renewed, but also enhanced; whereas Little Canada previously welcomed newcomers via Canoo for just one year, Canoo members will now be able to enjoy exclusive programs at this exceptional Canadian attraction for multiple years.
“Canoo is the best way for newcomers to discover and experience Canada, and a trip to Little Canada allows them to cross the whole country without ever leaving Toronto,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “This immigrant-founded business is a love letter to Canada. We are immensely happy to welcome Little Canada back onto Canoo and to do whatever we can to ensure Canoo members enjoy this essential Canadian experience.”
Located in the heart of Toronto, Little Canada is a one-of-a-kind attraction that brings the stories, cities, and landscapes of our country to life—on a miniature scale. Conceived by Dutch-Canadian visionary Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer, Little Canada invites visitors on a two-hour journey of wonder, discovery, and delight that captures the spirit of the nation. Little Canada was the Attractions Ontario Attraction of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and a Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner in 2023 and 2024.
“We are proud to offer newcomers a warm Canadian welcome and invite them to connect with our stories, culture, and community,” says Brad Ford, President & CEO of Little Canada. “Just as our founder Jean-Louis experienced, when newcomers are welcomed and supported, they become passionate contributors to the rich fabric of Canadian society, and we believe the world needs more Canada.”
The renewed partnership will launch on the Canoo app in early May, offering Canoo members the chance to tour Canada in miniature all summer long.
About
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship works for a Canada where immigrants don’t just come, but stay, become citizens, succeed, and make Canada stronger, richer, and more interesting.
Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners ensures that newcomers and their families can experience Canada’s most sought-after experiences as well as the tools they need to help call Canada home. Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 830,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading the app for free.
For more about the app and the growing list of benefits for Canoo members, please visit https://canoo.ca/.
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Media Contacts
ICC / Canoo: media@forcitizenship.ca
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is pleased to announce the winners of its second annual Canoo Awards, which recognize institutions that open their doors to newcomers via the ICC’s award-winning Canoo app with exceptional effect.
The 2024 Canoo Award winners are: The Manitoba Children’s Museum (Kids’ Choice Award), the National Arts Centre (Breakthrough Award), Cisco Networking Academy (Innovation Award), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Community Award), Parks Canada (Founders’ Award), and The Toronto Zoo (Partner of the Year Award).
“As Canada stares down an existential threat to our existence, it is even more important to retain talented newcomers, build their belief in Canada, and set them up to contribute their unique talents to our success over the long-term,” says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “Canoo is Canada’s largest immigrant integration service, but it is only possible because of our exceptional partners, whose contributions via Canoo make Canada so much stronger in this hour of need.”
This year’s Canoo Awards go to six exceptional organizations that have collectively welcomed over 107,641 newcomers with free admission and heavily discounted experiences in 2024 via Canoo. By offering one-of-a-kind experiences for newcomers, these organizations do a great service to all of Canada, supporting a strong and resilient society where people from around the world contribute to our shared future and success.
These second annual Canoo Awards are proudly presented to the following organizations in the following categories:
Kids’ Choice Award: Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg
The Kids’ Choice Award recognizes a Canoo partner attraction with the highest proportion of child admissions via Canoo over the last year. In 2024, the Manitoba Children’s Museum welcomed the largest proportion of children relative to overall admissions.
Breakthrough Award: National Arts Centre, Ottawa
The Breakthrough Award recognizes the most visited Canoo partner attraction that joined the program within the last year, quickly becoming a new favourite among newcomers. In 2024, the National Arts Centre welcomed 350 Canoo members to its performances in Ottawa.
Innovation Award: Cisco Networking Academy
The Innovation Award recognizes the Canoo partner which demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in designing programs, services, or initiatives that provide unique value to newcomers. In 2024, 965 Canoo members enrolled in 2,036 free upskilling classes through the Cisco Networking Academy, developing skills in economically critical subjects like AI and cybersecurity.
Community Award: Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Community Award recognizes the Canoo partner which has shown extraordinary dedication to fostering connections and creating a sense of belonging for newcomers through active community engagement, on and beyond Canoo. In 2024, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra offered a standing 25% discount, welcoming 1,800 Canoo members to experience its Masterworks concert series.
Founders’ Award, presented by TELUS: Parks Canada
The Founders’ Award recognizes the Canoo partner that has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to advancing the ICC’s co-Founders’ vision of an inclusive Canada that embraces newcomers and all they contribute to our society. A Canoo partner since 2012, Parks Canada is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within its organization and across Canadian society by offering free admission for one year to Parks Canada administered places to eligible newcomers to Canada.
Canoo Partner of the Year Award, presented by CIBC: Toronto Zoo
The Partner of the Year Award recognizes the Canoo partner attraction that welcomed the most newcomers in 2024: the stand-out favourite among Canoo members. For the second year in a row, this Award goes to the Toronto Zoo, which welcomed 57,311 newcomers to its site via Canoo.
These awards will be presented at the ICC’s 2025 Canada’s Difference Makers Gala, which will be held at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto on April 29th.
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Quotes from our Canoo Award winners:
“The Manitoba Children’s Museum is thrilled to be selected as the 2024 Canoo Kids’ Choice Award winner by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). This recognition spotlights the dedication to our vision of providing an educational experience filled with excitement, wonder, and curiosity that all children can access. The Manitoba Children’s Museum cares deeply about our community and is extremely pleased to offer this wonderful safe space in which to warmly welcome newcomers, so they can explore, create, connect, interact, and enjoy learning. It is an honour to be part of the newcomer journey and to play a role in helping them feel at home in Canada.”
- Sara Hancheruk, Executive Director, Manitoba Children’s Museum
“We are proud to be the winners of the 2024 Canoo Breakthrough Award and of our successful partnership with Canoo, which, in such a short time, has proved essential in helping us create a more inclusive and welcoming space for newcomers at their National Arts Centre. The NAC believes that the performing arts are vital to the human experience, and we work every day to ensure that we are an open and safe space where everyone knows they belong.”
- Kondwani Mwase, Executive Director of Audience Engagement at the National Arts Centre.
“Cisco Networking Academy is committed to providing educational opportunities that foster an inclusive future for all. We’re honoured to receive the 2024 Canoo Innovation Award from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. This award underscores the importance of designing education programs that supports and empowers newcomers to Canada.”
- Raj Juneja, President of Cisco Canada
“At the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, we believe music is best experienced when it’s shared. Receiving this recognition from Canoo is truly meaningful for us, as it reflects the heart of what we strive for: a place where newcomers and all Torontonians feel at home. We’re honoured to be part of so many newcomer journeys and grateful for the opportunity to connect through music. Our partnership with Canoo has allowed us to welcome thousands of new Canadians, and we look forward to continuing to create moments of belonging and shared joy in our city.”
- Mark Williams, Toronto Symphony Orchestra Beck Family CEO
“At your Toronto Zoo, we believe that everyone should feel a deep sense of belonging—both in our community and in nature. As we move forward with our new Guardians of Wild Strategic Plan, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming space where all guests, staff, volunteers and partners see themselves reflected and valued. By embracing diversity and strengthening connections, we ensure that your Toronto Zoo is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to learn, explore, and be inspired to protect wildlife and wild spaces.”
- Dolf DeJong, CEO of Toronto Zoo
About the ICC
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship works for a Canada where immigrants don’t just come, but stay, become citizens, succeed, and make Canada stronger, richer, and more interesting. Via its award-winning Canoo app, the ICC has helped over 800,000 newcomers integrate into Canada with free and discounted culture, nature and sport experiences.
Media Contact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2025
TORONTO, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is proud to launch a bold new public awareness campaign: “New Canadians Make All the Difference.” At a time when newcomers are too often blamed for our country’s self-inflicted challenges, this campaign reminds Canadians that immigrants have historically alleviated Canada’s biggest problems and seldom caused them.
For centuries, immigrants have helped Canada overcome its greatest challenges. Before casting blame, we’d do well to reflect on the history of how immigrants have helped this country thrive. That story continues today.
Whether building homes, powering our healthcare system, growing our economy, or improving Canada’s culinary range newcomers have always made — and continue to make — lasting contributions that make Canada a richer, stronger, and more interesting place to live.
This campaign invokes historical anti-immigrant tropes that seem absurd today. Viewers are challenged to interrogate whether contemporary anti-immigration rhetoric are equally absurd.
This campaign has launched coast to coast, with bold visual storytelling featured through very large wild postings in Ottawa, Toronto, and Calgary, and digital banners at 40 Cineplex locations across Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. It’s a national reminder that the contributions of newcomers aren’t just part of Canada’s past — they’re building our future every day.
Highlights of the campaign include a focus on:
- Irish immigrants, who faced fierce discrimination—even as British subjects— but persevered to build a better future. Today, Canadians of Irish descent include Prime Ministers St. Laurent, Mulroney, Martin, and Carney, and icons like Ryan Reynolds, Shania Twain, and Stompin’ Tom Connors.
- Ukrainian immigrants, once marginalized for their religious and cultural differences, who still transformed the Prairies into one of the world’s most productive breadbaskets. In 2024 alone, non-animal agriculture was a $48 billion industry, employing over 115,000 Canadians.
- Italian immigrants, many of whom arrived after 1945 and faced discrimination rooted in anti-Catholic bias, built the homes that millions of Canadians still live in today. By 1960, one in three Toronto construction workers was Italian. They also helped bring about one of Canada’s favourite pastimes: patio season.
- Newcomers in healthcare, now and in the future, are essential to solving our extreme labour shortages that will only get worse as Canada ages further. Contrary to popular belief, rising immigration is not straining our system. In fact, the number of ER patients hasn’t changed in two decades—it just takes longer to treat them. Immigrants with international credentials could help, if only Canada would let them.
This campaign is more than a history lesson—it’s a contemporary call to action.
“Immigration isn’t just about filling jobs or getting bigger. It’s about talented people dedicating their lives to making Canada ever more extraordinary.,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “Just as yesterday’s prejudices seem ridiculous today, our current rhetoric will strike future generations as absurd. Immigrants leave Canada stronger – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
For more about the ICC’s campaign, educational resources, and opportunities for Canadians to learn, share, and support the cause, visit www.thedifferencemakers.ca.
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About
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship works for a Canada where immigrants don’t just come, but stay, become citizens, succeed, and make Canada stronger, richer, and more interesting.
Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners ensures that newcomers and their families can experience Canada’s most sought-after experiences as well as the tools they need to help call Canada home. Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 830,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading the app for free.
For more about the app and the growing list of benefits for Canoo members, please visit https://canoo.ca/.
Media Contacts
ICC / Canoo: media@forcitizenship.ca
Digital Posters Displayed at Cineplex
Wild Posting [Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
TORONTO, ON — A new national poll of new Canadians by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) shows that new Canadians’ votes are up for grabs this election, with double the national average undecided rate and a significant number open to changing their minds before polling day. Affordability, healthcare, and housing rank among the top issues driving voter priorities in the lead-up to the 2025 federal election, with Canada-US relations the eighth most important issue.
According to the survey of 2,397 Canoo members, 80% identified the cost of living as one of their top five concerns. Healthcare was next at 62%, followed by housing at 54%. Jobs, taxes, and economic growth also ranked highly, reflecting widespread concern over financial pressures and economic security. Unlike most polls of the general population, where Canada-US relations registers as a top priority, it was the eighth most important issue for new Canadians in this poll, with just 27% putting it in the top-five.
“This poll gives voice to the concerns of Canada’s newest citizens and shows a high level of democratic engagement among them, with 92% intending to cast a ballot”, said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “Immigrants are clearly focused on making ends meet and building a stable future. And unlike many Canadians who have become attached to a specific party as a matter of personal identity, new Canadians are much more open to persuasion.”
The survey of adult Canoo members was conducted online through the Qualtrics platform between April 1 and April 4, 2025. Online surveys do not have margins of error but a comparable survey with 2,397 respondents would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.0%, 19 times out of 20.
When asked who they would vote for if the election were held today, 36% of decided respondents said the Liberal Party under Mark Carney, while 29% supported the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre. Support for the NDP stood at 4%, with other parties polling at 1% or less. 17% of respondents were undecided – more than double the general population average.
Voter commitment has swung significantly, with one in three new Canadians having changed their voting preference in the past six months and 29% open to changing their minds before polling day.
Survey participants were highly educated, with more than 80% holding a university degree. Most (over 70%) are employed full-time, and household incomes vary widely, with the largest group earning between $75,000 and $100,000 per year.
“These data are a snapshot of a highly-engaged and talented voting bloc,” continued Bernhard. “Parties that want to connect with this growing demographic of committed Canadians need to speak credibly on affordability, access to healthcare, and housing if they plan to retain this talent in Canada long term.”
The full ICC 2025 Federal Election Survey results are available here.
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About
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship works for a Canada where immigrants don’t just come, but stay, become citizens, succeed, and make Canada stronger, richer, and more interesting.
Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners ensures that newcomers and their families can experience Canada’s most sought-after experiences as well as the tools they need to help call Canada home. Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 830,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading the app for free.
For more about the app and the growing list of benefits for Canoo members, please visit https://canoo.ca/.
Media Contacts
ICC / Canoo: media@forcitizenship.ca
New ICC/Conference Board Report Calls for Broad, Concerted Efforts to Retain Immigrants
November 19, 2024 – A new report from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), conducted by the Conference Board of Canada shows that immigrants are leaving Canada in record numbers, particularly the high-skilled immigrants Canada urgently needs.
“These are tradespeople who build our homes, nurses who care for our loved ones, truckers who facilitate commerce, and entrepreneurs who spur innovation,” said ICC CEO Daniel Bernhard. “And they are increasingly headed out the door.”
Bernhard notes that the concerning findings of the report, entitled, “The Leaky Bucket 2024: A closer look at immigrant onward migration in Canada,” coincide with 30-year lows in public support for immigration.
“Canadians are bombarded with commentary telling them that high immigration levels are to blame for homegrown challenges including housing supply, inaccessible healthcare, crime, and even traffic,” said Bernhard. “Be careful what you wish for. This is globally coveted talent with global options. We need programs that entice them to stay, become active citizens and help fuel our economy.”
The report follows ICC’s first “Leaky Bucket” report released in 2023, also produced by the Conference Board of Canada. That original study revealed the alarming trend of immigrants leaving Canada in growing numbers to seek opportunity elsewhere. This year’s report provides updated figures and digs deeper into the characteristics of those immigrants who are leaving in greater and greater numbers. Highlights of the findings include:
- Francophone immigrants to Quebec and Ontario are much more likely than Anglophone immigrants to leave Canada to seek opportunity elsewhere
- The most populous cities in Canada—Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver— see high turnover rates of immigrants. They function as hubs for immigrant communities to access resources and support for their settlement journey
- In contrast, fast-growing, mid-sized cities in other provinces (Calgary, Alberta, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick) see the opposite trend, but have potentially greater challenges retaining immigrants in communities outside of their larger cities
- The Atlantic provinces see the highest rates of onward migration in Canada in the shorter term (three to seven years after arrival), but the lowest rates longer term (25 years and more after arrival)
- The highest two origin nations of immigrants leaving Canada are a combination of countries allowing dual citizenship (Lebanon) and those restricting citizenship only to that country (South Korea).
The Report includes recommendations to help stem the outward flow of newcomers, such as:
- Support provinces and municipalities to understand onward migration trends and address unique challenges in their cities and regions.
- Develop short-term and long-term strategies to address retention challenges at different points in immigrants’ settlement journeys.
- Engage educational institutions and settlement service organisations in the retention conversation.
- Consider the impact of language integration on retention and build out Francophone programs.
Read the full report here: “The Leaky Bucket 2024: A Closer Look at Immigrant onward migration in Canada.”
About ICC
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) aspires to a Canada where newcomers don’t just come but stay, naturalize, succeed, and contribute maximally to our shared success. The ICC is best known for its Canoo Access Pass, a mobile app that currently provides over 750,000 newcomers with free and discounted access to more than 2,000 of Canada’s best culture, nature and sport experiences, plus exclusive deals with leading brands, so that they fall in love with Canada, stay, and become enthusiastic citizens
Media Contact
Alex Nanoff
613.709.6318
media@forcitizenship.ca
Toronto, Ontario, Nov. 7, 2024 – The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Cineplex are partnering to bring the joy of Diwali to newcomers across Canada. From October 31 through November 15, 2024, members of the ICC’s Canoo App can enjoy a free regular Coca-Cola® fountain drink at any Cineplex theatre, simply by redeeming an exclusive offer on the Canoo app.
This offer is part of the ICC’s commitment to making celebratory moments more accessible to everyone, especially the newcomers that ICC supports. Canoo members benefit from exclusive offers that encourage cultural and social engagement across Canada. With this special Diwali offer, ICC and Cineplex aim to welcome newcomers into the joy of film and celebration, while also offering them a refreshing treat.
“The ICC is pleased that Cineplex and Coca-Cola are making extra efforts to welcome newcomers to the cinema, via Canoo” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “Getting out of the house to see a movie in the company of your fellow Canadians is a special occasion for the whole family. These are the little things that make life in Canada more enjoyable. This partnership represents our shared dedication to helping newcomers establish themselves in Canada and feel welcome to participate in Canadian cultural life.”
“At Cineplex, we’re excited to team up with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship to make the world of cinema more accessible to newcomers across Canada,” said Sara Moore, Chief Marketing Officer at Cineplex Entertainment. “Movies are a universal experience that bring people together. Whether it’s through our international programming or Hollywood titles, we’re thrilled to offer the chance to connect and enjoy a great movie.”
Starting October 31, Canoo members can claim their digital coupon through the Canoo app, which can be scanned at the concessions counter of any Cineplex theatre nationwide. The promotion is available for the first 10,000 members to redeem.
For more information about the app and the growing list of benefits for Canoo members, please visit canoo.ca.
About The ICC
The ICC is a national charity that aspires to a Canada where immigrants don’t just come, but stay, belong, succeed, and contribute maximally to our shared success. We advance this mission by conducting unique and compelling public policy research, by hosting enhanced citizenship ceremonies across Canada, and via our Canoo Access Pass, an award-winning mobile app that gives new permanent residents and new Canadian citizens with free and discounted access to over 2000 of Canada’s best culture and nature experiences, plus exceptional travel offers and exclusive deals from leading brands.
About Cineplex
Cineplex (TSX:CGX) is a top-tier Canadian brand that operates in the Film Entertainment and Content, Amusement and Leisure, and Media sectors. Cineplex offers a unique escape from the everyday to millions of guests through its circuit of 169 movie theatres and location-based entertainment venues. In addition to being Canada’s largest and most innovative film exhibitor, the company operates Canada’s favourite destination for ‘Eats & Entertainment’ (The Rec Room), complexes specially designed for teens and families (Playdium), and an entertainment concept that brings movies, amusement gaming, dining, and live performances together under one roof (Cineplex Junxion). It also operates successful businesses in digital commerce (CineplexStore.com), alternative programming (Cineplex Events), motion picture distribution (Cineplex Pictures), cinema media (Cineplex Media) and digital place-based media (Cineplex Digital Media). Providing even more value for its guests, Cineplex is a partner in Scene+, Canada’s largest entertainment and lifestyle loyalty program.
Proudly recognized as having one of the country’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Cineplex employs over 10,000 people in its offices and venues across Canada. To learn more, visit Cineplex.com.
Media Contact
The ICC
Arash Safavi
647.607.2971
media@forcitizenship.ca
Cineplex Media Relations
PressRoom@Cineplex.com
Toronto, Ontario, Oct. 30, 2024 – Immigrants with the greatest potential to fuel Canada’s economy are the most at risk of leaving within the next two years, according to new findings from The Newcomer Perspective, a large-scale study conducted jointly by Ipsos and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). With so much attention focused on how many immigrants Canada admits, new research shines a light on how successfully they are integrating into Canadian economic, social and civic life through the first 10 years after arrival.
Findings from the study, which will gather perspectives from 20,000 verified adult immigrants to Canada in 2024, show that skilled, economic immigrants are thinking twice about staying in Canada, mostly due to high housing costs, financial pressure and inadequate salaries.
Here are a few highlights of what this study has revealed so far:
- 26% of newcomers report that they are likely (somewhat and very likely) to leave Canada within two years
- Housing affordability is the number one reason for planning to leave
- Likelihood to leave varies considerably by immigration category on arrival, with economic immigrants and those with prior Canadian experience most likely to plan their exits
- Likelihood to leave also varies considerably across Canada, ranging from 31% of newcomers in Brampton, Ontario, 30% in Toronto, 29% in Vancouver, and 22% in Montreal.
Economic, business and immigrants with Canadian experience most likely to consider leaving
Close to one in three (32%) immigrants in the Canadian Experience Class (i.e. those who were international students or temporary workers before obtaining permanent residency) indicate that they are somewhat likely, or very likely to leave Canada within two years, while only one in five (20%) immigrants admitted by way of Quebec programs say they are likely to leave.
Further underscoring the loss of skilled immigrants, immigrants who have spent 5+ years in Canada are more likely to consider leaving the country (30%), taking with them the skills and experience they have gained, perhaps in search of better opportunities. At the same time, 23% of those who are in the first five years of settling into a new country are also foreseeing their departure from Canada, pointing to a need for support from institutions, both public and private.
Economic Concerns Driving Desire to Leave Canada
The top three reasons driving the likelihood of leaving Canada are all economic: housing costs (79%), low salary/income (65%) and concerns about the economy generally (54%).
Almost eight in ten (79%) newcomers say that Canada has been worse than expected as a place that gives them access to affordable housing, compared to only 10% who think it is better than expected. Housing far outranks any other aspect of the newcomer journey when it comes to falling short of expectations.
Further, more than half (51%) express that Canada falls short of their expectations as a place to get ahead financially and more than six in ten (61%) believe that their current income is not commensurate to their credentials and experience.
The Newcomer Perspective: So much more than a survey of newcomers
These are just a small sample of key findings and topics covered in this groundbreaking syndicated research program, The Newcomer Perspective. In months to come, Ipsos and the ICC will explore other issues of importance for newcomers and for the governments, non-profits and businesses who seek to serve them better. This ongoing research will track the views of newcomers over time and will allow subscribers to dive deeper into results by a wide array of key segments, including country of origin, immigration category, province of residence, number of years in Canada, age, education levels and so much more.
About this release
These are some of the preliminary findings of the recently launched ‘The Newcomer Perspective’ research program, which will survey 20,000 newcomers in 2024. For this release, 15,383 verified adult newcomers to Canada aged 18 years and over were interviewed online (10,153 interviews from May 31 to June 11, and 5,230 interviews from August 13 to August 22). Participants for the survey were permanent residents and Canadian citizens who settled in Canada within the past 10 years and are members of the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass, which represents the largest and highest quality member base of Canadian newcomers.
About The Newcomer Perspective Study
The Newcomer Perspective is a partnership between Ipsos and the ICC which brings the voices of newcomers to Canadian leaders in the private and public sectors, providing the insights they need to play their part in making Canada a welcoming country that newcomers fall in love with and contribute to. The study is the country’s largest and most comprehensive survey of the attitudes and perspectives of newcomers throughout their immigration journey. For more information on The Newcomer Perspective research program, please write to NewcomerInsightsCanada@ipsos.com.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP. www.ipsos.com.
About the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)
The ICC works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. Thanks to its pioneering Canoo Cultural Access Pass, the ICC serves more newcomers than any other organization in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, the ICC has a presence across the country, including staff in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montréal.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
For Ipsos:
Sanyam Sethi
Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
Sanyam.Sethi@ipsos.com
+1 416 324-2307
For the Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Alex Nanoff
media@forcitizenship.ca
+1 613 709 6318
Research details
For questions about methodology and analysis, please contact Ipsos using the details listed above.
Click here for more information and to access data tables for this release.
Following today’s joint announcement from the Prime Minister of Canada and his Minister of Immigration, Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, made the following statement:
“This drastic reduction in immigration levels will create more problems than it solves.
A decrease of 105,000 permanent residents represents less than 0.25% of the population. This measure will not cool the housing market. Instead, Canadians will feel the absence of 105,000 fewer workers—workers who could build more housing, staff more daycare spaces, and reduce healthcare wait times. These needs will only grow as immigration declines.
It is misleading to say that we have too many immigrants for our housing and healthcare systems to handle. The truth is, we don’t have enough housing and healthcare capacity to support all the immigrants Canada needs to grow and prosper.
We cannot slow our way to success. We can only grow our way to success.
Immigration is not the cause of Canada’s challenges. While we understand the government’s desire to restore public confidence in the immigration system, we hope today’s announcement does not lead anyone to believe that the solution to slow growth is to grow more slowly.”
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Media Contact
Alex Nanoff
alex@liaisonstrategies.ca
media@forcitizenship.ca
+1 613 709 6318
TELUS and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) are partnering together to make it easier for newcomers to stay connected as they begin their new journey in Canada.
Through this exciting partnership, TELUS is expanding its support for newcomers by providing exclusive deals on products and services across its family of brands through the ICC’s Canoo app, which helps newcomers experience the very best of Canada.Thanks to this partnership, newcomers using Canoo will enjoy exclusive access to exceptional discounts from TELUS, Koodo, Public Mobile, and Mobile Klinik, even without Canadian credit history.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo program to help newcomers start their journey in Canada with confidence through reliable, accessible solutions at TELUS,” said Chris Datta, Vice-president, Consumer Mobility Marketing at TELUS. “Our focus is to alleviate the challenges faced by newcomers by making it easy and affordable to activate our services, keeping them connected and helping them thrive.”
The Canoo app provides newcomers with free and discounted access to over 2,000 of Canada’s best culture, nature and sport experiences, plus deals from many of the country’s leading brands, including TELUS.
“Connectivity is an essential part of modern life, and by offering such generous and supportive discounts, TELUS will make a real difference in the lives of so many newcomers as they establish themselves and begin the journey of becoming Canadian,” says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC.”Through this partnership, TELUS is demonstrating its true commitment to welcoming newcomers and strengthening Canada. We’re grateful for their leadership and are proud to welcome TELUS to the Canoo family, alongside many other leading brands. ”
For more information, visit telus.com and canoo.ca
Media Contact
TELUS
Martin Nguyen
martin.nguyen@telus.com
The ICC
Arash Safavi
647.607.2971
media@forcitizenship.ca
New ICC-Deloitte Report and Playbook highlight winning ways for business leaders
NEWS RELEASE
October 8, 2024 – Companies across Canada are less competitive than they could be, and short-changing shareholders by leaving exceptional immigrant talent on the bench.
A new Employer Playbook for recruiting and retaining newcomers to Canada shows Canadian companies several ways they can boost their financial scores with the help of immigrants already in Canada and keen to get in the game. The Playbook is built on the results of a new report, “Talent to win”, which draws from an extensive series of confidential roundtables with employers, government and civil society leaders from across Canada, conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) in partnership with Deloitte.
“Imagine if the manager of the Toronto Raptors or Calgary Flames didn’t pick star players because they weren’t Canadian trained? They would be giving rival teams a significant competitive advantage.” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “If you’re down two goals late in the game, successful coaches get their best players on the ice, no matter where in the world they learned how to play.”
According to a seasoned investor and executive interviewed for the new report, Canada’s business leaders “don’t grasp how so much of the world is beating us.”
About the Playbook for Canadian Business Leaders
The Playbook includes real examples from companies who have seen their bottom lines increase after capitalizing on the underutilized and overlooked immigrant talent pool.
- An Eastern Canadian construction firm got around English language requirements and gained an edge on competitors by putting together crews that all spoke the same foreign language (one crew spoke Ukrainian, another spoke Hindi). They proved to be safer and more productive than average crews, thanks to their ability to work and communicate in the language they speak most naturally and their optimism for being given a chance to contribute more significantly.
- A Western Canadian natural resources company changed a hiring policy that previously required heavy equipment operators to have winter driving experience and found that immigrants who were new to snow drove more carefully and had fewer accidents.
Click here to download the Playbook
About the Report: Talent to win – Employers’ perspectives on immigrant underemployment and the immense upside of solving it
“Talent to win” is a unique collaboration between the ICC and Deloitte, which brought together over 40 leaders from business, government, and civil society to understand the causes of immigrant underemployment and surface creative workarounds that leading employers have enacted to put this immensely underused talent pool to work.
Beyond the reality of systemic discrimination, the roundtable discussions revealed that employers face several challenges, including: lack of ambition in business culture, inadequate onboarding and mentoring practices, blind spots in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks that don’t take country of origin into account, and a lack of support to navigate Canada’s complex immigration system – especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
Click here to read the full Talent to Win report
About the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)
Since 2005, ICC’s programs have worked to give every newcomer to Canada the chance to become fully involved in our history, our culture, and our politics. More than 750,000 newcomers have participated in ICC’s Canoo program to discover all that Canada has to offer. The generous support from our donors and partners has enabled this impact.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500® companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients’ most complex business challenges.
Media Contact:
Alan Findlay
437.882.5997
