Toronto’s 10th Newcomer Day

Toronto’s 10th Newcomer Day

An estimated 12,000 people attended the event.

By Leny Rose Simbre

LJI Contributor

The Philippine Reporter

The City of Toronto held its tenth annual Toronto Newcomer Day, May 23. The event, which welcomes newcomers and honours their significant contributions to the city, was proclaimed that day by Mayor Olivia Chow, alongside Deputy Mayor Ausma Mallik, with other City and Government of Canada officials in attendance.

“Each year, tens of thousands of people from around the world choose Toronto as their new home. Toronto’s and Canada’s social and economic fabric is emboldened and embroidered by our global diversity and Toronto Newcomer Day showcases how deep and vibrant our newcomer community is,” Mayor  Chow said in her proclamation statement.

“I am honoured to be part of Toronto’s tenth annual newcomer day celebration, to welcome and support newcomers in our city at every stage of their journey to thrive,” Deputy Mayor Malik said.

140 exhibitors’ tents.
Photos courtesy of City of Toronto

The day featured a citizenship ceremony to receive 50 New Canadians, cultural performances showing the City’s diversity, a food fair, marketplace, and information booths in tents where more than 140 exhibitors offered aid and assistance for newcomers. as well as opportunities to learn about settlement services and community programs, including children and youth services, employment counselling, and support services for shelter and housing.  An estimated 12,000 people attended the event held at Nathan Philips Square.the City’s press statement revealed.

Among the exhibitors were Kababayan Multicultural Centre,  that provides assistance to Filipino and other newcomers, and the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), of which The Philippine Reporter is one of its 800 members.

The City acknowledged the support of this year’s Newcomer Day sponsors, among them, Desjardins Financial Group, Metrolinx, New Canadians TV, Rogers Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Tim Hortons.

(See full story on Kababayan Multicultural Centre’s participation in Toronto Newcomer Day on The Philippine Reporter’s Online Edition, philippinereporter.com – Ed.)