Chestermere Inclusion

Chestermere has grown substantially over the past 10 years, and continues to be Canada’s 3rd fastest growing municipality. It has a wide range of residents with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences. A majority of the population were born in Canada, with parents that left their home countries of birth to move to Canada. Many came to Canada as children, completing their education in Canada. An increasing number are new Canadians – children of refugees who had made their own way in life and were establishing their own homes and families in Chestermere.
In 2012, Town of Chestermere endorsed the Chestermere Inclusion Project, to ensure the community was where families would settle, with elements and opportunities for local immigrant participation and engagement; employment opportunities, and recreation. Chestermere wanted to ensure residents have their social, recreational and spiritual needs met, building an overall sense of belonging.
A consultant reached out to over 260 (individuals, groups and service providers) from a wide range of cultural backgrounds with a broad range of experiences. The project involved personal interviews, information gathering sessions, questionnaires and surveys of community organizations, schools, and businesses within Chestermere region.
An early outcome was formation of a Community Advisory Committee; a core group engaged in implementation of the recommendations by providing a range of strategic opportunities that require setting of priorities, and focus on high areas of need.
The project also identified that to become more inclusive, new and different strategies are required. This includes more outreach, more one to one communication, community building strategies, word of mouth and networking, identifying real needs and being inclusive right from the start.
It is important to provide a wide range of opportunities that allow people to become engaged in ways that they feel that they can contribute and participate. The level of engagement will vary depending on time available; interest in what is being offered, coming together for a common purpose and the level of trust and respect that has been established.
There are approximately 2,900 Citizenship ceremonies a year, with average of forty-nine new citizens from twenty-five different countries in the world, taking the oath. This astounding feat is not matched by any other country in the world. Eighty percent of people who come to Canada take up citizenship. This is the highest rate in the world.
Immigrants bring to Canada a complexity that adds texture and richness to the total fabric of our society. Most immigrants have a strong family structure and a vibrant extended family structure. The majority of the people interviewed in Chestermere had both.
Accessing individuals with resources and experience in building connections with people from different cultures as well as utilizing existing tried and tested programs, cultural diversity training and a willingness from organizations to try something different could really work well in Chestermere!
The challenge of inclusion is to find common cause for important work that cannot be done effectively if we isolate ourselves from one another: race, culture, nationality, gender, class, ability. It’s about finding common ground. -The Ethics of Inclusion.
If you are interested in learning more about Chestermere Inclusion, please phone 403-207-7060 or email csinfo@chestermere.ca