104 Our Diverse Cities The need

Waterloo Region’s economy is one of the strongest and fastest growing in Canada. Its unemployment rate hovers around 5%. It has an insatiable need for a talented workforce to sustain and grow its technology-driven economy. Yet, as with many communities across Canada, Waterloo Region has failed to adequately facilitate the participation of immigrants into the local labour market (Janzen et al. 2003). To remedy this situation, various segments within the Waterloo Region community recently committed to working together. What follows is their story of collaboration. It is a story of intentionality, of collectively acknowledging the importance of immigrant employment to our community. And it is also a story of strategy, of collectively determining how best to move forward together in order to meet the challenges and realize the opportunities of an increasingly diverse workforce. Defining the problem Waterloo Region is no stranger to immigrant workers and entrepreneurs. Its commerce and culture have historically been influenced by the German-speaking immigrant work ethic and entrepreneurialism. Today the region is highly multicultural, with the fifth highest immigrant per capita population among urban centres across Canada, according to Statistic Canada’s 2001 Census. Yet evidence shows that immigrants in Waterloo Region perform below the labour force with respect to employment rates and income levels – despite having education levels than the employed labour force overall. According to Statistics Canada, in 2001 the unemployment rate for recent immigrants in Waterloo Region was 14%, compared to 5 % for Canadian-born individuals. Underemployment is also a major problem, with many of the skills needed in the community not being accessed. As a result, many immigrants have come to work in survival jobs, some contemplating a return to their homeland or relocating to other jurisdictions. This situation impacts negatively on immigrants and their families, on the local economy and on the health of the community at large. Clearly the underutilization of immigrant skills needed to be addressed. Identifying community assets Waterloo Region has a strong business sector. Four business associations lead the way: Communitech, the area’s technology busines