Mandate and Mission
To improve the efficacy of the Local Immigration Partnerships and Zonal Immigration Partnerships through sustainable networks, shared resources, capacity building, and the amplification of diverse LIP/ZIP voices.
Vision
The vision is to curate a National LIP Secretariat that is inclusive, responsive, accountable, and effective by seeking diverse stakeholder views to address emerging issues collectively through a transparent governance structure and effective communication to influence and achieve strategic objectives.
Who We Are
National LIP Secretariat (NLS) functions as backbone support for the National LIP Network comprising 96 Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) or Zonal Immigration Partnerships (ZIPs). Its purpose is to support the work of National LIP Network members through information sharing, facilitated collaboration, the provision of professional development opportunities, and collective representation across the country
Background
A National LIP Secretariat Working Group emerged in the aftermath of the Calgary LIP Learning Event held in March 2018. During the event, it became clear to participating LIPs that there would be a great benefit to working as a collective and creating opportunities for LIPs/ZIPs to operate as a system whereby efficiencies and effectiveness could be gained, while upholding local priorities and unique needs across the country. As part of the groundwork for establishing a National LIP Secretariat, the working group had crafted an initial draft representative framework, presented it at the Pathways to Prosperity Conference 2018, and invited LIPs across the country to provide input. It resulted in a National LIP Network Summit in 2021 which facilitated the creation of an NLS governance structure that remained in place throughout the project. A review process was performed in 2025 to determine priorities for the future.
The National LIP Secretariat project is co-led by Toronto South LIP from Ontario and Jasper LIP from Alberta, who played a leading role in the national organizing that has taken place to date, and have the capacity, commitment, and necessary LIP support to continue to guide the successful development of a National LIP Secretariat. Furthermore, their co-leadership on this initiative successfully addresses concerns about representation expressed during the consultations by bringing together a large, community-based, Eastern LIP with a small, municipal, Western LIP.
Governance Structure
As agreed in the National LIP Network Summit in 2021, the National LIP Secretariat employs a constellation governance model that includes an Executive Committee, NLS staff, and both standing and ad hoc working groups.
The NLS is primarily responsible to Local Immigration Partnerships and Zonal Immigration Partnerships across Canada. Each IRCC-funded LIP or ZIP is considered a member of the National LIP network and is thereby entitled to equal representation in consultation, network meetings, and, where necessary, voting. LIPs/ZIPs are responsible for identifying their own representative. In addition to its primary circle of stakeholders, the NLS has a further stakeholder groups including provincial umbrella organizations, national and regional Networks, policymakers, and newcomers to Canada.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee provides strategic and operational guidance to the National LIP Secretariat to safeguard the vision, mission, and core values of the Secretariat. The NLS Executive Committee consists of LIPs/ZIPs staff selected to represent diversity of LIP/ZIP voices. Representatives are selected by an independent LIP/ZIP Nominations Committee following an open nominations process and serve for a two-year term. Only LIP/ZIP representatives serving terms have voting privileges. Executive Committee members serve as representatives of their LIP/ZIP, and their membership is transferrable in the event of staffing changes within their organization.
National Data Working Group
The NLS Data Working Group strengthens LIPs’ and ZIPs’ capacity to use data for needs assessments, planning, communication, and evaluation by identifying data needs, advising on development of lipdata.ca, collaborating to create tools for the LIP Network, sharing best practices and resources, and organizing professional development opportunities, including periodic Data Community of Practice meetings.
Some of the resources produced by the Data Working Group are available at Data Resources and include:
Find more research/data related resources in Library Plus by searching for different keywords and categories.
In the 2025-2028 period, the Data Working Group will produce tools and resources around evaluation frameworks and immigration data. It will also continue to organize professional development and Community of Practice sessions.
Get involved: A call for new members is shared in our newsletter in the last quarter (January-March) of every fiscal year. The membership term is one year (April 1st to March 31st). Members are expected to commit and contribute a total of 15 hours a year. Read more in the TOR.
The Data Working Group hosts periodic Community of Practice meetings that offer a space for LIP staff to learn from and share with one another on topics related to data gathering, analysis, and use. These drop-in meetings are open for all LIP and ZIP staff.
To learn more about upcoming opportunities, please watch our Weekly Update. For further inquiries about the Working Group and the Communtiy of Practice, contact: [email protected]
Equity and GBA+ Working Group
The objective of the NLS Equity and GBA+ Working group is to offer a centralized national-level resource hub for LIPs to advance equity and welcoming communities. The Working Group seeks to contribute to the development of tools and resources that can be adapted to meet LIPs individual needs, as well as offering support to develop capacity around doing equity, inclusion and anti-racism work within their municipalities and communities. The group will also work on activities and projects related to LIP engagement with Indigenous communities and will engage newcomer lived experience experts on an as-needed basis to provide input on professional development and other projects.
The group also aims to engage newcomer lived experience experts on an as-needed basis to provide input on professional development and other projects.
Current members include representatives of: Toronto South-West LIP, Calgary LIP, Lloydminster LIP, Surrey LIP, South Okanagan LIP, Greater Moncton LIP, Kingston IP, Gray Bruce LIP, IP Saskatoon and Vernon LIP.
Get involved: Equity & GBA+ Working Group membership is open to all LIP and ZIP representatives. You can join at any point in the year. Members are expected to participate for a year and convene for at least 6 working group meetings to help plan activities and support the broader LIP network.
For further inquiries about the WG or to express interest to join, contact: [email protected]
Newcomer Engagement Working Group
In 2025, the NLS launched a new working group on Newcomer Engagement for LIPs.
We know that meaningful newcomer engagement strengthens local planning, helps LIPs design more inclusive initiatives, and ultimately supports better outcomes for newcomers themselves. Many LIPs have also shared that they face challenges in engaging newcomers as “lived experience experts” and meaningfully involving them in planning and activities. At the same time, there’s strong interest in exchanging best practices and learning from one another about newcomer engagement.
The new working group brings together LIPs to collaborate on newcomer engagement— creating tools and resources, hosting discussions, and sharing ideas that can be applied locally. Members have the opportunity to set priorities and shape the group’s focus based on what newcomer engagement looks like in their communities.
This is a great space to connect and learn together if you’re passionate about making newcomer voices central to your LIP’s work. Whether you’re just starting to think about newcomer engagement or already have strategies in place, this group is about learning from one another and building practical approaches that work.
Get involved: The group is meeting monthly for about 1-1.5 hours during its first 6 months to set priorities and plan activities. For 2026-2027, we will meet at least 4 times per year, or more at the discretion of the group.
Newcomer Engagement Working Group membership is open to all LIP and ZIP representatives. You can join at any point in the year.
For further inquiries about the WG or to express interest to join, contact: [email protected]
Administration
For the purposes of the National LIP Secretariat pilot project, the NLS staff is comprised of the two NLS leads, housed in the Toronto South LIP and Jasper LIP, respectively and any support staff hired by them.