news & events
Posted on
Welcoming Week 2023 Events
Welcoming Week 2023
Canada became a member of Welcoming International in 2020. Welcoming Week is a global initiative that encourages individuals and communities to spread the message of inclusion and collective prosperity. Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) describes it as an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and that they belong in their local community, no matter where they come from. From Friday September 8 to Sunday, September 17, the Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership (GBLIP) is coordinating and collaborating with community partners in hosting a variety of virtual and in-person events for newcomers to learn about their communities and connect with long-time residents. Informative and educational videos will be featured on this website throughout Welcoming Week.
Event Calendar
September 8 to 17
Welcoming Week Quiz
How much do you know about newcomers and immigrants to Canada, Ontario, and Grey Bruce? Take this quiz and reflect on how to be good neighbours and make our region more welcoming.
Pick up a copy of the quiz at the following public libraries:
- Bruce County Public Library - Kincardine, Port Elgin and Walkerton Branches
- Grey Highlands Public Library
- Hanover Public Library
- Meaford Public Library
- Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library
- Southgate Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library (Dundalk)
- West Grey Public Library (Durham)
Refugee Canada Tent Exhibit
Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership and Grey Roots Museum and Archives invite you to visit the new traveling exhibit in the Grey Room at the Grey County Administration Building, located at 595 9th Ave E, Owen Sound, between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday until September 21.
A small, bilingual exhibit created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to travel to libraries and community centres across Canada. The exhibit was designed to resemble a tent and is the same size as a typical shelter used in refugee camps today.
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Free Admission
The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre extends a warm welcome to newcomers in Canada by offering free admission. Explore the Museum’s exhibits, galleries, and interactive displays where you’ll learn more about the rich history and diverse cultural heritage of Bruce County. On Friday September 15, the admission also includes a guided tour.
Click on the link below for details.
brucemuseum.ca/event/welcoming-week/
Brockton Welcoming Packages Available at Municipal Office
Free welcoming packages are available at the Municipality of Brockton office in Walkerton (100 Scott Street), and include tickets to a show at Jubilee Hall in Walkerton.
Hanover Welcome Packages Available at P&H Centre and Library
During Welcoming Week, residents in Hanover can pick up a copy of the Welcome Package at the P&H Centre (269 7th Ave.) and the Hanover Public Library (451 10th Ave.) There is free public skate at P&H Centre on Wednesday September 13 (4 to 4:50pm) and Sunday September 17 (1 to 1:50pm).
West Grey Welcoming Kits Available at Library
Welcome Kits are available at all West Grey Library Branches. It contains a variety of goodies such as a book, stationery, reading time treats.
- Durham Branch – 453 Garafraxa Street South
- Neustadt Branch – 511 Mill Street
- Ayton Branch – 610 Alfred Street
Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership invites anyone born outside Canada who is now living, working, or studying in this community (permanent residents, Canadian citizens, refugees, temporary residents, refugee claimants, and international students) to participate in this survey will be open from September 15 to October 31.
To access the survey, go to greybrucelip.ca/news-events/grey-bruce-immigrant-survey
Welcoming Week Display at Public Libraries
Participating libraries include:
Bruce County Public Library (Kincardine, Port Elgin, Walkerton Branches), Grey Highlands Public Library, Hanover Public Library, Meaford Public Library, Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, Southgate Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library, and West Grey Public Library.
Fall Fairs
Fall Fairs are organized by agricultural societies. They provide great opportunities for newcomers and other residents in a community to meet and connect.
September 8 & 9 Chesley Fall Fair
September 8, 9 & 10 Dundalk Fall Fair
September 8 & 9 Owen Sound Fall Fair
September 8, 9 & 10 Mildmay-Carrick Fall Fair
September 12 & 13 Arran Tara Fall Fair
September 15 & 16 Neustadt Fall Fair
September 16 Chatsworth Fall Fair
Other Opportunities to Connect with Neighbours
September 12 to 17 Sweetwater Music Festival
September 15 to 17 Owen Sound RibFest
Friday September 8
Featured Video: Welcome to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation | A Not At All Complete guide to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation
A brief introduction to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), its culture, and a very brief, and not at all complete, history of the SON and its Territory.
Bruce County Public Library Virtual Presentation by Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust
Newcomers are invited to a virtual presentation about the Canadian Carter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Ontario Human Rights Code at Chesley, Kincardine and Port Elgin Branches at 11am.
- Chesley Branch - 73 2nd Ave, S. E. Chesley
- Kincardine Branch - 727 Queen St. Kincardine
- Port Elgin Branch - 708 Goderich St. Port Elgin
Saturday September 9
Owen Sound River District Wheel & Ride
Think bike rodeo but for all non-motorized vehicles such as skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, etc. There will be obstacle course and rules of the road with Owen Sound Police Services, bike maintenance and more. This event runs from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Owen Sound City Hall Plaza (Out front of City Hall).
20 bikes will be given away by the local Optimist Clubs and helmets provided by the Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound.
Wheel & Ride | Upcoming Events | River District Live | River District (owensoundriverdistrict.ca)
Monday September 11
GBLIP Podcast Launch - How Being Welcoming Benefits Economic Development of the Region
In this episode, Jacinda Rudolph, Economic Development Officer of Grey County and Pierre Valley, Economic Development Officer of Bruce County talk about how being welcoming benefits the economic development of the region.
Tuesday September 12
GBLIP Podcast Launch - Entrepreneurship
In this episode, Christina Tennyson, Regional Economic Development Coordinator of Bruce County, Courtney Miller, Business Enterprise Centre Manager of Grey County, and Rose Austin, General Manager of Saugeen Economic Development Corporation will share information and resources that support newcomers in embarking on their entrepreneurship journey.
GBLIP & Settlement at Port Elgin Public Library
Grey Brue Local Immigration Partnership and Grey Bruce Settlement and Language Services will be at the Library from 11am to 2pm to share information and resources.
Grey Bruce Settlement & Language Services
Kincardine Welcoming Meet & Greet
Municipality of Kincardine is partnering with Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership, YMCA Settlement Services, Families Helping Families, Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce and the Swajan Samanvay Santan Centre to host an open house for newcomers to Canada, to Grey, Bruce, or the Municipality of Kincardine at the Welcome Centre (707 Queen Street). Drop in at any time between 4:00 and 7:00 PM and enjoy some light refreshments, connect with others, and learn about services in your community.
Wednesday September 13
Municipality Welcome Package Launch
GBLIP Community Sub-committee has developed a Welcome Package Template. The English, French, Arabic and Ukrainian versions of the template were distributed to the seventeen municipalities in Grey and Bruce Counties for each to complete by added local information and resources that help newcomer residents navigate as they settle into their new home.
Welcoming Communities Packages
GBLIP & Settlement at Walkerton Public Library
Grey Brue Local Immigration Partnership and Grey Bruce Settlement and Language Services will be at the Library from 11am to 2pm to share information and resources.
Grey Bruce Settlement & Language Services
Free Public Skate in Hanover
In celebration of Welcoming Week, the Municipality of Hanover is offering free public skate at the P&H Centre from 4 to 4:50pm. Pick up a free copy of the Hanover Welcome Package while you are there.
Address: 269 7th Ave, Hanover
Owen Sound Police Open House & Information Night for Newcomers
Drop by at 6pm for a guided tour, and learn about common frauds & scams, personal & community safety and more. Coffee, tea & snacks provided.
Address: 922 2nd Ave W, Owen Sound
Thursday September 14
GBLIP Council Meeting with Presentation by Victoria Esses and Leah Hamilton
Currently consists of sixty-six member organizations, the Grey Bruce Local Immigration Council meets quarterly to network and for professional development around supporting newcomer and immigrant integration. In alignment with Welcoming Week, Professor Victoria Esses and Professor Leah Hamilton will be giving a presentation on the Welcoming Communities Toolkits at the GBLIP Council Meeting.
Citizenship Trivia
Grey Bruce Settlement and Languages Services invites you to participate in this event and find out how well you know Canada. Online via Zoom from 6 to 7pm.
Register at:
- 519-371-9222 ext. 270
- settlement@osgb.ymca.ca
Friday September 15
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Free Admission with Guided Tour
Learn about the history of Bruce County by participating in a free guided tour led by Museum Program Coordinator Evan Vatri at 1:00pm
Save your spot by preregistering online or by phone at 519-797-2080
brucemuseum.ca/event/welcoming-week/
Grey Bruce Settlement & Language Services at Kincardine Public Library
Grey Bruce Settlement and Language Services will be at the Library at 10am to share information and resources.
Grey Bruce Settlement & Language Services
Saturday September 16
Grey Roots Admission by Donation Day
On this day, all visitors to Grey Roots are invited to pay by donation to check out the Game Changers and other exhibits.
https://greyroots.com/welcoming-week
Concours D'Lemon at Tom Thomson Art Gallery
This public event helps people engage with the Gallery and celebrate the fun car event along 1st Avenue West, Owen Sound. There is a bar/social set up for inside the Gallery spaces where people can view the exhibitions for self-guided tours.
Sunday September 17
Free Public Skate in Hanover
In celebration of Welcoming Week, the Municipality of Hanover is offering free public skate at the P&H Centre from 4 to 4:50pm. Pick up a free copy of the Hanover Welcome Package while you are there.
Address: 269 7th Ave, Hanover
