Waterloo Region – On March 9 the Newcomers Waterloo Region (NEWWR) Web Portal was launched. The website is targeted toward immigrant newcomers and their families who settle in the Waterloo Region or who are looking to Waterloo Region as a possible destination.

The new portal provides newcomers with timely information on the community, employment, skills accreditation and other important information for successful settlement and integration in Waterloo Region. It is also aimed at improving newcomer access to municipal and community information and services as well as promoting Waterloo Region as a destination for newcomers to Canada.

“Regional Council strongly supports this initiative and the benefits that it will bring to immigrant newcomers looking to settle in Waterloo Region,” said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. “The portal is also intended to be used by employers, community organizations, government, and other agencies or individuals.”

Region of Waterloo staff have been working in partnership with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN), Waterloo Public Library (WPL), and various service organizations across Waterloo Region. The project started in early 2006, and has been supported and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

“The successful development of the portal is a credit to the hard work and collaboration of many people, including Regional staff, WRIEN, WPL and dozens of community partners,” said Mike Murray, CAO Region of Waterloo.

The Waterloo Public Library will be primarily responsible for maintaining and sustaining information on the NEWWR portal, and processing information requests from portal users.

“WPL staff will be ensuring that the portal continues to be a dynamic and effective resource for the community by managing the content and being the point-of-contact for inquiries and requests for added information about Waterloo Region,” said Cathy Matyas, Chief Librarian, Waterloo Public Library.

The portal is available at www.newwr.ca. For more information on this project and other government initiatives aimed toward successful immigrant integration, please visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.