Hand and hand with the rapid population growth in St. Thomas and Elgin county, is an impressive range of diversity in newcomers to the region.
According to Fiona Murray, communication coordinator with the St. Thomas Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP), approximately 800 recent immigrants settled in the area between 2016 and 2021.
And a major undertaking for Murray this summer is “to get some understanding of the experiences of immigrants, and obviously that’s unique, people have unique experiences.”
This data will be culled from an immigrant survey underway until the end of this month, explained Murray.
A similar survey undertaken in 2023 generated input from 99 respondents, with the top challenges being the cost of living (34% of respondents), finding healthcare (28%), and finding work (24%).
The top suggested solutions included more affordable housing (39%), better programs for immigrants to find work (36%), and employer education on hiring and retaining immigrants (29%).
It is worth noting that 37% of respondents experienced discrimination in the past 12 months.
The 2023 survey indicated 84 per cent of respondents felt positive about interactions with municipal government and police services.
Murray explains who can participate in the survey.
Those who completed the 2023 survey are invited to contribute their thoughts in this new version.
The hope is the results will be used by local service providers, municipalities, and other community groups to inform policy, planning, and programs.
Murray notes how participants can access the 2025 survey. It is presented in English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Arabic.
A printed copy of the survey is available at the STELIP office located at the YWCA at 16 Mary Street.
As to how long it takes to complete the survey, she adds, “In English, it’s a bit longer, and so around 25 minutes, so 20 to 25 minutes. And then if you’re completing it in another language, it’s a shortened version, so that one is about 10 to 15 minutes.
Murray advises the results of the survey will be ready by the end of this year and a report will be available early in the new year.
The public will be able to access the report at http://stelip.ca. and the aim is to update the survey every two years.
Written by Ian McCallum
