Who we are

Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a department of the Government of Canada, and support communities in bringing together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers and other key municipal organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers.

What we do

In Lanark and Renfrew Counties, the work of Local Immigration Partnerships is administered by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. To enable this work, LIP staff conduct research to identify challenges that prevent newcomers from fully participating in the community’s economic, social, cultural, and recreational life. The LIP team also identifies new opportunities to help newcomers settle in rural areas.

A key principle of LIP’s work is developing relationships and linkages between like-minded organizations to encourage collaboration that builds on the strengths of multiple partners. Welcoming communities are created by helping municipalities understand the benefits of attracting newcomers and assisting them with the planning and execution of activities that support immigrants who settle in their communities.

Our Priorities

The key priorities of the Local Immigration Partnership are:

• To continue developing innovative projects and services that support a decentralized approach to immigrant attraction in the rural communities that make up Lanark and Renfrew County.
• To augment and amplify the participation of community partners by growing representation on our LIP Advisory Councils.
• To encourage inclusion and diversity in rural communities that have historically experienced limited newcomer settlement through the sharing of knowledge, conducting research and facilitating community planning.
• To engage in dynamic research that improves current newcomer attraction strategies and informs future LIP activities.
• To bring newcomers and Indigenous peoples together as LIP works towards Truth and Reconciliation by creating more inclusive communities.
• To respond to partnership opportunities with municipal governments, economic development organizations and community leaders who share a vision to revitalize rural regions through direct and secondary migration of newcomers.

LIP Advisory Council

Membership on the Local Immigration Partnership Advisory Council includes representatives of municipalities, District School Boards, post-secondary education, Employment Services, Local Labour Market planning groups, economic development offices, community allies, employers and government services. Membership changes over time as new community partners join the Advisory Councils in both Renfrew and Lanark Counties.

View Terms of Reference HERE.

LIP Lanark & Renfrew Strategic Roadmap 2025-2028

It is with great excitement that the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) – Lanark & Renfrew presents its Strategic Roadmap for 2025-2028. This Strategic Plan represents the culmination of engagement and input from community members, stakeholders, and rights-holders committed to fostering welcoming communities across Lanark and Renfrew Counties.

Through research, community consultation sessions, interviews and analysis, the team established four strategic priorities, each focusing on building positive experiences and continuing to create welcoming communities for everyone.

Strategic Pillars

1. Coordinated Access:  Strengthening the ability of newcomers to find and navigate the services and information they need to succeed.
2. Cultural Competency & Community Learning: Supporting two-way learning between newcomers and the broader community through education and sharing.
3. Belonging & Social Connection: Creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for cultural exchange, community gathering, and mutual support.
4. Inclusive Economic Participation: Promoting newcomer success in the workforce through inclusive hiring, employer education, and credential recognition.

Each of these pillars is achievable through the specific initiatives and action items which were designed to build on the existing work of LIP – Lanark & Renfrew and the strengths of our communities.

LIP – Lanark & Renfrew Strategic Roadmap 2025-2028

Please see the Strategic Roadmap Appendices HERE