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Please use the map feature to learn about the LIPs and ZIPs across Canada. You can use the Advanced Search for different layout of your findings and more detailed LIP search. If you are a LIP staff, you can log in with your credentials and look for LIPs peer support in different areas.
What are the LIPs?
Local/Zonal Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) are planning bodies through which Immigration, Refugee Canadian Citizenship (IRCC) supports the development of community-based partnerships to address the needs of newcomers. A relatively recent initiative, there are currently over 80 Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) or Zonal Immigration Partnerships (ZIPs) across the country, although the actual number fluctuates and is dependent on federal funding.
LIPs and ZIPs vary in size and organization. Some are housed within municipalities while others are community based. In other instances, it can be a combination of the two or a consortium of partners. For example, Canada’s largest city has four community-based LIPs each within a consortium that support assigned catchments as well as a municipal LIP that operates city-wide. Comparatively, ZIPs go beyond local jurisdictions to cover larger geographical boundaries of zones based on population, availability of stakeholders and funding resources. Staffing compliments are not standardized.
The main objective of the LIPs is to strive to engage a wide variety of stakeholders in a focused strategic planning process to strengthen welcoming communities for newcomers, which promotes their success in Canada. While the newcomer serving sector is a key collaborator, other partners include employers, school boards, libraries, health agencies, boards of trade, various government representatives, professional associations, ethno-cultural and faith-based organizations.
Many partnership councils have formed sub-committees such as steering or executive committees which provide guidance and strategic support. Additionally, working groups or sector tables are established focused on specific themes, such as health, research and employment. It is through this collective participation the majority of the LIP’s work is produced. LIP staff provide the coordination to organize and facilitate the needful processes.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2013, August). Local immigration partnership handbook
Where to Start?
Creating a new Local Immigration Partnership may seem like a significant undertaking. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada) produced a Local Immigration Partnership Handbook in August 2013 with some suggestions on how to get a LIP started.
To begin, it is important to note the vital role of community engagement in establishing creditability and trust with partners with aligned interests and diverse stakeholders. A LIP coordinator(s) should be retained to support coordination and relationship building.
- Establish the partnership council
- Create terms of reference of the partnership council
- Conduct research and establish a local settlement strategy to be implemented over 3- 5 years
- Develop an annual action plan to address local priorities
- Report on the implementation and execution of the action plan annually
The creation of working groups is vital to moving projects forward and necessary for the action plan implementation. Depending on the size of the partnership council, a steering or executive committee can be selected via nominations process to aid with high level decision making.
Who Should Hold the Contribution Agreements (CA)?
It is imperative to consider local context realities and nuances when sourcing a CA holder. There have been a variety of configurations ranging from CAs being housed by municipal entities to community partnerships or partnerships between the two that have proven successful. Further examine examples of mature LIPs or Zips in your regional or provincial jurisdiction for more details.