Newcomer Advocacy Committee

The Newcomer Advocacy Committee (NAC) supports newcomers to engage in reflection and action for social change. Launched in 2008, the Newcomer Advocacy Committee has worked hard to formulate policy recommendations, identify allies, and engage in dialogue with local politicians. Currently, our advocacy priorities include: employment equity and paid internships for internationally trained workers. We also support the IVote Campaign for municipal voting rights for all permanent residents in Toronto. In 2010, the Newcomer Advocacy Committee organized a successful Community Forum on newcomer employment and civic participation, and later worked with community partners to put on a Mayoral Candidates Debate on Immigrant Inclusion. These experiences were documented in the video documentary Raising our Voice. For 2011, we are developing a Newcomer Speaker’s Bureau to better share our stories, struggles, hopes, and recommendations for change.

“Participating in the Advocacy Committee has helped me to understand how we, as the so-called visible minority, can participate in the changes needed to close the gap in access to opportunities for work, study and civic participation.”
~Newcomer Advocacy Committee Member

The Newcomer Advocacy Committee is open to new members. Newcomer Advocacy Committee members develop their leadership through participation in advocacy skills workshops, public speaking training and community events.

The Newcomer Advocacy Committee is committed to sharing our experience with other groups interested in community organizing for social change. Newcomer Advocacy Committee and Newcomer Speaker’s Bureau members participate in video screenings and public speaking engagements.

To find out more about joining or learning from the Newcomer Advocacy Committee, contact Adriana Salazar, at 416-699-4527 ext. 229 - asalazar@mnlct.org