Thematic sessions
-Social cohesion

April 26, 2023 – This session explored social cohesion in the context of Canada’s immigration system. A diverse group of practitioners and thought leaders from the business community, think tanks, academia and civil society organizations took part in the session.

Participants discussed the importance of having an immigration system that is orderly and well planned, with strong coordination among federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. There was recognition of general public support for immigration from Canadians, but also awareness that public opinion can be fragile. As data shows that newcomers are more likely to think Canada has social cohesion compared to Canadian-born populations, there was a view that immigrants can help remind us of who we are and who we want to be. The importance of community-level initiatives was discussed, as well as the critical role community members play in welcoming newcomers. It was also noted that technology can be leveraged to find new ways of building social cohesion using online platforms.

Participants discussed what they feel is essential for positive integration, including job training, employment services, and mental health supports. They also expressed the view that Canada needs to look at social cohesion between immigrants and Canadian society, recognizing the unique heritage, cultures, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.