The Regional Municipality of York to officially launch recent immigrant report with panel discussion

 

Growth in York Region's recent immigrant population highest across Greater Toronto

 

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York will officially launch its report Community Snapshots:  Recent Immigrants Living in York Region.

 

The media is invited to hear highlights of the report and a cross-sectoral dialogue on what the findings mean for our communities with representatives from community services, business, government and education.

 

When:  Tuesday, May 30th – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  Presentation and panel discussion will begin at 9:00 a.m.

 

Where: Lucent Technologies/Avaya Building, Showcase Room, Main Floor
  1380 Rodick Road (16th Avenue and Woodbine), Town of Markham

 

Speakers:
• Bill Fisch, York Regional Chair and CEO
• Tom Taylor, Town of Newmarket Mayor and Chair of York Region's Community Services and Housing Committee

 

Panel Discussion:  Building Strong Communities – New Realities – New Opportunities with Q & A
Panel Moderator:   Debora Kelly, Editor-in-Chief, York Region Newspaper Group

 

Panelists:
• Frank Scarpitti, Town of Markham Regional Councillor
• Rahul Bhardwaj, CEO, United Way of York Region
• Keith Bray, President and CEO, Markham Board of Trade
• Robert Dunn, Superintendent of Education, York Region District School Board
• Stephen Lam, Director, Immigrant Services and Community Programs, Catholic Community Services of York Region
• Al Wilson, Interim Executive Director, York South Simcoe Training and Adjustment Board
• John Silverthorn, Vice President, Human Resources, IBM Global Business Services, Americas

 

Background:

Community Snapshots: Recent Immigrants Living in York Region looks at the socio-economic data pertaining to recent immigrants, including demographics, employment, income, education, language, housing, use of public transit and religion.  The report examines the issues, opportunities and challenges of a population that is rapidly becoming increasingly diverse and profiles recent immigrants who, as the fastest growing segment of our population, will continue to influence the look and feel of our communities.

 

Statistics Canada data shows us that York Region's recent immigrant population is growing much faster than the non-immigrant population.  Between 1991 and 2001, the number of recent immigrants increased by 132 per cent, while non-immigrants increased by only 31 per cent.

 

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Media Contact: Tim Paleczny, Corporate Communications, York Region
 Phone:  (905) 830-4444, ext. 1238 or Toll free 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1238
 After Hours pager:  (905) 830-3302    Email: tim.paleczny@york.ca