How a newcomer fair is connecting recent immigrants with services
A new one-day fair in Winnipeg is hoping to help newcomers feel more welcome and connect them with important services.
Shakib Mahmood arrived in Canada in December after leaving Afghanistan with help from NATO forces.
"So I had the privilege to adjust quickly because I know the language and have familiarity and have some friends as well here which are very close to me," said Mahmood.
Mahmood considers himself lucky, as not all newcomers have the luxury of knowing Canadian culture before coming.
Julia Yevzhenko arrived in Canada from Ukraine on June 8 to flee from the Russian invasion.
So far, she says the help she's received has made the transition much easier.
"Actually, there were a lot of volunteers that helped us, so we didn't get such situations yet. So everything is perfect," she said.
Assistance and help are key components of the Newcomer Welcome Fair and Multiculturalism Day celebration held in Winnipeg on Sunday.
The event, put on by several partner organizations, hopes to help connect newcomers, many from Afghanistan and Ukraine, with important settlement services.
"When people come to a new place, they need a lot of help to find housing, to find employment, create a resume. Those kinds of things and just general assistance navigating the system," said Emily Halldorson, Ukraine response coordinator for the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations.
The fair also acts as a way to welcome newcomers to the country and hopefully make them feel a little more at home.
"An event like this will mean so much to them because hopefully, we're able to let them feel that they are welcome, that you know, we embrace them as a community," said Perla Javate, co-chair of the Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba.
A sentiment Yevzhanko and her family have certainly noticed since arriving in Winnipeg.
"They really help [with] finding a job, finding a place, an apartment where to live, so it's huge help actually," said Yevzhanko.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.