The Peel Newcomer Strategy Group is comprised of key stakeholders that came together because of a growing recognition that there was a need to develop a coordinated newcomer/immigrant services strategy. The signed Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement reinforced the need for developing such a strategy and propelled this planning group towards a quick call to action. A visioning meeting was held on February 7, 2006 with stakeholders from various sectors such as health, child care, employment, physical health, mental health, legal services, housing, language training, education, corporations, small business, Brampton and Mississauga boards of trade, Economic Development Offices, and funders. The vision for a coordinated service strategy is to develop a client -focused service model. As such, a key strategy in the development of the community plan will be to seek input directly from newcomers/immigrants, employers, service providers, funders and other community partners. Research, current literature and best practices will inform the development of this community plan. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.peelnewcomer.org

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