In this episode, we discuss learning to support newcomers with my guest Anila Umar Lee Yuen.
Anila is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, Alberta. She has 28 years of experience in the settlement sector. Beyond traditional settlement services, Anila has spearheaded programming to include volunteer-led refugee supports; indigenous education for newcomers; LGBTQ+ supports, domestic violence, homeless and mental health support services and broadened vulnerable youth programming and social venture opportunities.
Anila holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology (Behavioural Neuroscience) and a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Calgary and an MBA with distinction from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Her numerous awards for her contributions to her community include the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case, UCalgary Alumni Arch Award, Top 40 Under 40 in Calgary, Women of Inspiration, Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada and Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.
Listen in as we talk about:
- The current state of immigration in Canada. Anila gives us a behind the curtain look into what the current state of immigration is truly like right now in Canada.
- How teaching and learning are integral parts of the Centre for Newcomers. Teaching and learning happens in so many capacities, Anila shares how this is essential for the Centre.
- Key barriers faced when people come to Canada. There are many barriers and challenges newcomers face when they come to Canada. Anila shares her perspective on this in our conversation.
Connect with Anila:
- Website: https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca
- Instagram: @yycnewcomers
- Facebook: @centrefornewcomers
- Twitter: @yycnewcomers
- LinkedIn:
Connect with Tiana:
- Website: https://tianafech.com
- LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
- Instagram: @tianafech
- Facebook: @tianafech
- Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course https://amzn.to/3BujR21
THE CURRENT STATE OF IMMIGRATION IN CANADA
The government of Canada, whether Federal or Provincial, understands the value and importance of immigration. As Anila shares, almost 100% of our labor market growth and population growth are attributed to newcomers.
Truthfully, without immigration, we wouldn’t have any population growth and we certainly wouldn’t have any labor market growth. From an economic and sustainability perspective, it’s important to have immigration. Whichever government is in power works hard to ensure a steady stream of newcomers coming to Canada.
However, Anila explains how we don’t account for any acts of God, like war, floods, etc. Currently, we have a huge increase in Afghan refugees and people coming from the Ukraine. The government doesn’t refer to these Ukranians as refugees, they’re called ‘temporary residents’ because they are supposed to go back to Ukraine when it’s safe to do so. Nevertheless, in all aspects of their lives, they’re effectively refugees. The only difference is they’re coming here without any type of
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