Press Releases Archives - Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Toronto, Ontario, February 6, 2024 – Early findings from The Newcomer Perspective, a study conducted jointly by Ipsos and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), show that newcomers have mixed feelings as they acclimatize to life in Canada. Preliminary results from the research, which will gather the views of 20,000 newcomers to Canada in 2024, demonstrate how critical it is for governments, businesses and all Canadians to understand all phases of the newcomer journey to Canada. That journey is indeed a very dynamic one, with significant shifts in perspectives and behaviours across different demographics and throughout the first ten years in Canada. As results also demonstrate, it is also a journey of mixed emotions.

Significant headwinds during their first few years in the Country

Early findings demonstrate that newcomers face major challenges during their first few years in Canada, especially when it comes to housing and finances. When asked to select the three most important issues facing Canada today from a list of 20 items, housing easily topped the list, with 68% of newcomers choosing it as a top concern. This was followed by interest rates and inflation (44%), healthcare (39%) and unemployment and jobs (26%).

In line with those findings, more than eight in ten (86%) newcomers say that Canada has been worse than expected as a place that gives them access to affordable housing, compared to only 5% who think it is better than expected. Housing far outranks any other aspect of the newcomer journey when it comes to falling short of expectations.

Canada also falls short of expectations for too many newcomers as a place where you can get ahead financially (56% worse/22% better) and as a place where you can make a good income (51% worse/23% better).

Newcomers feel welcomed and treated fairly in Canada

Despite facing challenges in the early years, the vast majority of newcomers to Canada say that the country meets or exceeds their expectations as a place where they feel welcomed (89%) and believe they are being treated fairly as Canadian residents (87%). Bringing with them a great variety of cultural, social, religious, and political beliefs and behaviours, the vast majority of newcomers nonetheless feel that they share the same outlook on life, opinions on important issues, etc. as other Canadians (85%).

Do newcomers feel welcomed in the same way by different groups and institutions? Mostly. More than nine in ten feel welcomed by Canadian non-profit organizations (95%; 51% very/44% somewhat), by people in Canada (94%; 49% very/45% somewhat) and by government entities in Canada/the Canadian government (90%; 44% very/46% somewhat). While 85% also feel welcomed by Canadian businesses, only 31% say they feel very welcomed compared to 54% who feel somewhat welcomed, leaving ample room for improvement on the part of Canadian businesses.

The Newcomer Perspective: So much more than a survey of newcomers

These are just a small sample of key findings and topics covered in this groundbreaking syndicated research program, The Newcomer Perspective. In months to come, Ipsos and the ICC will explore other issues of importance for newcomers and for the governments, non-profits and businesses who seek to serve them better. This ongoing research will track the views of newcomers over time and will allow subscribers to dive deeper into results by a wide array of key segments, including country of origin, immigration category, province of residence, number of years in Canada, age, education levels and so much more.

About this release

These are some of the early findings of the recently launched ‘The Newcomer Perspective’ research program, which will survey 20,000 newcomers in 2024. For this release, 1,336 newcomers to Canada aged 18 years and over were interviewed online between November 14-23, 2023. Participants for the survey were permanent residents and Canadian citizens who have recently moved to Canada. Respondents were members of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s (ICC) Canoo Cultural Access Pass, which represents the largest and highest quality member base of Canadian newcomers.

About The Newcomer Perspective Study

The Newcomer Perspective is a partnership between Ipsos and the ICC which brings the voices of newcomers to Canadian leaders in the private and public sectors, providing the insights they need to play their part in making Canada a welcoming country that newcomers fall in love with and contribute to. The study is the country’s largest and most comprehensive survey of the attitudes and perspectives of newcomers throughout their immigration journey. For more information on The Newcomer Perspective research program, please see more information here or write to NewcomerInsightsCanada@ipsos.com.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP. www.ipsos.com

About the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

The ICC works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. Thanks to its pioneering Canoo Cultural Access Pass, the ICC serves more newcomers than any other organization in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, the ICC has a presence across the country, including staff in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montréal.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

For Ipsos:

Sanyam Sethi
Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
Sanyam.Sethi@ipsos.com
+1 416 324-2307

Sébastien Dallaire
Senior Vice President
Sebastien.Dallaire@ipsos.com
+1 514 443-4758

For the Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Alex Nanoff
media@inclusion.ca
+1 613 709 6318

Research details

For questions about methodology and analysis, please contact Ipsos using the details listed above.
Click here for more information and to access data tables for this release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Inaugural Canoo Awards to celebrate institutions improving the newcomer experience.

TORONTO, ON — In recognition of the critical work that Canoo’s partners are doing for newcomers across Canada at a time when they are faced with growing challenges, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is launching its inaugural Canoo Awards, celebrating the Canadian culture and nature institutions that set a new standard in helping newcomers feel at home in Canada.

The 2023 Canoo Award winners are: the TELUS Spark Science Centre, the Biodôme (Espace pour la vie), VIA Rail, and the Toronto Zoo. The 2023 Canoo Awards will be presented on February 6, 2024 at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

“Canoo is Canada’s biggest and most effective tool for welcoming the newcomers that drive our prosperity, but it is nothing without the commitment and generosity of our partners,” said Daniel Bernhard, the CEO for the ICC. “The inaugural Canoo Awards recognize four outstanding organizations that are rising to a higher calling for Canada: building a country where newcomers belong and want to stay. We are beyond grateful to these four winners, and hope that these Awards inspire others to join the Canoo Welcome Network and participate in this vital effort for Canada.”

This year’s Canoo Awards go to four iconic institutions that have collectively welcomed over 150,000 newcomers with free admission and heavily discounted experiences in 2023 via Canoo. By offering one-of-a-kind experiences for newcomers, these organizations do a great service to all of Canada, supporting an inclusive society where people from around the world are happy to live and excited to contribute to the country ‘s prosperity for the long-term.

The 2023 Canoo Awards Presenting Sponsors are CIBC, Bell, and MobSquad. Air Canada is the Official Airline Sponsor.

The first-ever Canoo Awards are proudly presented to the following organizations in the following four categories:

Kids’ Choice Award, sponsored by MobSquad: TELUS Spark Science Centre , Calgary

The Kids’ Choice Award recognizes a Canoo partner attraction with the highest proportion of child admissions via Canoo over the last year. In 2023, TELUS Spark Science Centre welcomed the largest proportion of Canoo members kids to its property in Calgary, Alberta.

Breakthrough Award, sponsored by Bell: the Biodôme (Espace pour la vie), Montréal

The Breakthrough Award recognizes the most visited Canoo partner attraction who joined the program within the last year, quickly becoming a new favourite among newcomers. In 2023, Biodôme welcomed 12 thousand Canoo members to its property in Montreal, Quebec.

Founders’ Award, sponsored by Air Canada: VIA Rail

The Founders’ Award recognizes the Canoo partner that has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to advancing the ICC’s co-Founders’ vision of an inclusive Canada that embraces newcomers and all they contribute to our society. Since 2012, Canoo and VIA Rail Canada have connected 50,000 members to destinations from coast-to-coast.

Canoo Partner of the Year Award, sponsored by CIBC: Toronto Zoo

The Partner of the Year Award recognizes the Canoo partner attraction that welcomed the most newcomers in 2023: the stand-out favourite among Canoo members. In the last year, the Toronto Zoo saw 49,000 Canoo members visit its site.

Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members with transformative experiences of Canada. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo for free by downloading the Canoo app.

Immigrating can be challenging. Canoo’s expanding network of partners has helped newcomers and their families access and experience the very best of Canada. These organizations are stepping up for a higher purpose: to make Canada easier to love and ensure it remains a forever home for newcomers, whose talents and contributions will secure Canada’s prosperity for generations to come.

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Quotes from our Canoo Award winners:

“Space for Life and the Biodôme are very proud to be the first to win this prize from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and even more proud to be part of the Canoo family. Through its five museums, Space for Life contributes to Montreal’s thriving cultural vitality. Protecting nature and biodiversity is our raison d’être, and we are extremely happy to help newcomers discover all the ways they can help care for our planet,”

Julie Jodoin, Director of Space for Life.

“Receiving the Kids’ Choice Award from Canoo, a program supporting newcomers to Canada, is a profound honour for TELUS Spark Science Centre. This recognition highlights Spark’s dedication to embracing diversity and fostering accessibility to science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Welcoming newcomers aligns seamlessly with Spark’s mission, and every child’s visit through Canoo reflects the science centre’s dedication to providing an inclusive space where all young minds, regardless of background or circumstance, can explore the marvels of science. This award serves as inspiration for Spark to persist in its journey, ensuring that every newcomer child has the opportunity to discover, learn, and thrive within the fascinating world of science.”

Roderick Tate, President and CEO of TELUS Spark

“We are thrilled and honoured to receive the Founders’ Award from the ICC. Since 2012, our partnership with the ICC has played a pivotal role in introducing tens of thousands of newcomers to the beauty of Canada. This award is a testament to our dedication to advancing our common vision of an inclusive society and we look forward to continuing to shape a future together where diversity is celebrated, and newcomers are embraced for the richness they bring to the fabric of our great country.”

Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Via Rail

“Our team is committed to ensuring we serve all of our communities and are a Zoo for all! This award shows how we all can play a role in helping people settle in and thrive in our City. On behalf of our staff, volunteers and Board of Management, we are delighted to receive this recognition from Canoo that our efforts are making a positive difference for newcomers.”

Dolf DeJong, CEO of Toronto Zoo

About the ICC

Media Contact

Brooke Timpson
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca

Toronto, Ontario, Jan 16, 2024 – Ipsos, one of the world’s leading market research companies, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), Canada’s leading newcomer-serving charity, to produce Canada’s largest and most comprehensive insights program to understand the Canadian newcomer experience. The study, which is the largest of its kind, will provide an understanding of newcomers throughout their immigration journey, from recent arrival to becoming Canadian citizens, and beyond.

The research will bring the voices of 10,000 verified newcomers to Canadian leaders in the private and public sectors, providing the insights they need to win in Canada’s fastest growing market segment and play their part in making Canada a welcoming country that newcomers fall in love with and contribute to, as proud citizens.

Through this unique partnership, the ICC and Ipsos are launching a new syndicated tracking program to provide continuous access to agencies and service providers, with information to expand and improve the services they provide to newcomers across Canada.

Cynthia Pachovski, CEO of Ipsos in Canada remarked, “We are delighted at the prospect of building an insights partnership with the ICC that raises the voices of Canadian newcomers. This collaboration reinforces Ipsos’ commitment to understanding a global and diverse population and providing our clients with a total understanding of society, markets and people in an ever-evolving world.”

Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC emphasized the authenticity and value of the insights that will be generated. “So many people claim to speak for immigrants. Thanks to this partnership, the verified adult immigrants we serve through our Canoo program can speak for themselves, and be heard. We worked hard to find the very best partner to bring this unique enterprise to market. Ipsos is clearly that partner.”

About Ipsos

About the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

For more information on this news release, please contact:

For Ipsos:
Sanyam Sethi
Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
Sanyam.Sethi@ipsos.com
+1 416 324-2307

Sébastien Dallaire
Senior Vice President
Sebastien.Dallaire@ipsos.com
+1 514 443-4758

For the Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Alex Nanoff
Principal, Liaison Strategies
alex@liaisonstrategies.ca
media@inclusion.ca
+1 613 709 6318

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2023

More newcomers will gain even more access to the best of Quebec and Canada through the enhanced Canoo Access Pass.

MONTREAL, QC — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is pleased to certify Montreal’s Danse Danse as a Canoo Newcomer Equity Partner. Newcomers who are members of the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass will now have multi-year access to heavily discounted premium seats to Danse Danse’s programming, starting with the 2023-2024 season in the heart of Montreal’s cultural centre – Place des Arts.

A recent study by the ICC revealed that newcomers’ disillusionment with Canada is on the rise. Citizenship adoption rates have declined 40% since 2001, and 30% of newcomers under 30 plan to leave Canada within two years.

“Through the Canoo Access Pass, Danse Danse is actively restoring newcomers’ faith in Canada and Quebec, offering transformative, welcoming experiences that make our country easier to love and harder to leave,” says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “As with every part of Canada, Quebec’s prosperity depends on newcomers not only coming, but staying, thriving and becoming proud citizens. Danse Danse and the rest of Canoo’s Newcomer Equity Partners are stepping up even more to provide this vital service for immigrants and for Canada over the long term.”

Newcomers who join Canoo will enjoy world-class contemporary dance performances, including shows from the iconic Kidd Pivot Company, under the direction of internationally-renowned Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite and the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies.

“Danse Danse has been partnered with the Canoo Access Pass since 2018 by offering free and highly reduced tickets to newcomers to encourage their participation in Montreal’s vibrant cultural life. Now, we want newcomers to have a heightened welcome by reserving Canoo tickets in the best seats, says Pierre Des Marais, Artistic and Executive Director of Danse Danse. “This initiative is part of our approach to accessibility and inclusion through various projects and partnerships. The challenge is to meet the needs of different audiences by taking into consideration the multiplicity of realities of each spectator.”

“The show was great! I have rarely experienced shows where technology and danse are combined,” said Lydia, one of Canoo’s members who recently attended Danse Danse’s Jungle Book Reimagined. “This is a great opportunity for us [newcomers] to have more access to these experiences.”

Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can experience the best of Canada by downloading the free Canoo app. In 2024, Canoo will open to even more newcomers.

About Canoo & Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

The Canoo Access Pass is designed to make newcomers fall in love Canada by granting access to the country’s best experiences.
By downloading the free Canoo app, newcomers get access to over 1500 experiences and destinations including parks, museums, galleries, concerts, travel, professional sports, and more. Partner offers include VIA Rail, Parks Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, Cirque du Soleil, and Toronto FC.

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. The ICC is an independent charity, co-founded in 2006 by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul.

About Danse Danse

Danse Danse, an associate presenter at Place des Arts, invites dance lovers to discover the best of contemporary dance from here and abroad in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles.
Each season, Danse Danse presents a program of some dozen productions in the Théâtre Maisonneuve, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and Cinquième Salle, proudly contributing to Montréal’s international reputation as a metropolis of movement.

Media Contact

ICC/Canoo
Brooke Timpson
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca

Danse Danse
Sheila Skaiem, Publicist
514.572.8687
sheila@avecsheila.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2023

Ottawa, ON — A new report from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), The Leaky Bucket, finds that growing numbers of immigrants to Canada are deciding to leave rather than stay.

The report, produced for the ICC by the Conference Board of Canada, finds onward migration, immigrants leaving Canada, has been increasing slowly for decades, but suddenly surged in 2017 and 2019 — the most recent period of available data. The report also finds the risk of onward migration is particularly high between years four and seven following arrival in Canada.

“As Canada relies more and more on immigrants to fill acute shortages in key sectors like housing and healthcare, our ability to retain them is becoming a matter of vital national interest,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

“Simply put, if Canada cannot deliver for newcomers and help them become Canadian in their passports and in their hearts, we may soon be discussing our prosperity in the past tense.”

“Canada’s future prosperity depends on immigration,” said Stefan Fournier, Executive Director at The Conference Board of Canada. “Our research in this area shows that immigration leads to economic growth, improves the worker-to-retiree ratio and eases labour shortages that add to inflation. But as our research shows, attracting immigrants is only one part of the equation, we also need to retain them once they’re here in Canada.”

The report contains key recommendations for government including:

Begin monitoring the onward migration rate.
Invest in programs like the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass, which make the critical early years of immigrants’ time in Canada more enjoyable, driving retention to the benefit of all Canadians.
Support further research to help stakeholders understand settlement needs and which initiatives can ease immigrants’ transitions to life in Canada.
Support employers to recruit, hire, and retain immigrant workers. All three levels of government can provide tools and training.
Invest in infrastructure. As Canada seeks to increase the population, all levels of government need to plan for increased infrastructure including housing and healthcare.

“Immigrating to Canada has never been easy, there have always been challenges but this study points to burgeoning disillusionment,” said Bernhard. “After giving Canada a try, growing numbers of immigrants are saying ‘no thanks’, and are moving on.”

“That’s not just a problem for immigrants. That’s a problem for everyone. That’s why the ICC will do its best to lead with innovation and creativity to so that newcomers and their talents find a permanent home in Canada.”

Read the full report here: The Leaky Bucket (Institute for Canadian Citizenship and Conference Board of Canada, 2023)

About

The ICC is best-known for its Canoo Access Pass, a mobile app that currently provides some 250,000 newcomers with free entry to over 1,400 of Canada’s best culture and nature attractions, plus exclusive deals with leading brands, so that they fall in love with Canada, stay, and become citizens.

Media Contact

Alex Nanoff
613.709.6318
media@inclusion.ca

Toronto, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) announced today that after founding the organization and serving as co-Chairs for 16 years, the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul have passed the torch to a new generation of leadership. Mr. Irfhan Rawji, a Calgary-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been named Chair of the ICC.

To honour their ongoing legacy, the ICC is launching the TheDifferenceMakers.ca, a campaign inspired by the stories of real Difference Makers who make Canada stronger and more vibrant.

As a refugee who rose to become Governor General, Madame Clarkson founded the ICC with Mr. Ralston Saul, to continue the centuries-old Canadian tradition of welcoming immigrants not just as residents, but as citizens. This work remains critical, especially in light of recent research by the ICC revealing newcomers’ growing disillusionment with Canada. Citizenship adoption rates declined 40% between 2001 and 2021. 30% of newcomers under 30 plan to leave Canada within two years.

“We started the Institute for Canadian Citizenship to ensure that the Canada in which a refugee girl could become Governor General would never become a country of the past,” said Mme Clarkson and Mr. Ralston Saul. “But our dream is in jeopardy,” they added. “A strong and effective ICC is our legacy to Canada.”

Mr. Rawji is Managing Partner at Relay Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, and is the founder and Executive Chair of MobSquad, an innovative Canadian start up that helps software engineers from around the world immigrate to Canada. He has been serving on the ICC’s Board of Directors since its founding.

“Immigrants aren’t the cause of Canada’s failings. In fact, they’re a big part of the answer.” concluded Irfhan Rawji, ICC’s new Chair. “But we need to deliver on our promise to immigrants. If we fail, Canada’s prosperity and dynamism will suffer. The ICC is leading the effort to turn restore the promise of Canada to newcomers. I am honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the opportunity to safeguard and advance the vision of our founders, who are, simply put, exceptional Canadians.”

The ICC will be hosting its annual Gala on February 6, 2024.

Full bios and high-resolution photos are here:

The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson

About the ICC

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. The ICC is an independent charity, co-founded in 2006 by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul.

The ICC is best-known for its Canoo Access Pass, a mobile app that currently provides some 250,000 newcomers with free entry to over 1,400 of Canada’s best culture and nature attractions, plus exclusive deals with leading brands, so that they fall in love with Canada, stay, and become citizens.

Media Contact

Alex Nanoff
613.709.6318
media@inclusion.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In 2024, more newcomers will gain even more access to the best of Canada through an enhanced Canoo Access Pass.

With this pass, newcomers feel more at home here, helping Canada keep the people it needs at a time when they are growing disillusioned with the country.

Montréal, October 11, 2023 — Building on the success of the Canoo Access Pass, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is pleased to designate the McCord Steward Museum as the first certified Canoo Newcomer Equity Partner, recognizing their exceptional contributions to welcoming newcomers via Canoo. The McCord Stewart currently offers new permanent residents who are Canoo members free entry for a one-year period. As a Newcomer Equity Partner, Canoo members will now be able to enjoy free and discounted access to the museum for 5+ years to immerse themselves in Canadian art, history, and cultural exhibitions. They are also extending Canoo privileges to international students and displaced people.

A recent study by the ICC revealed that newcomers’ disillusionment with Canada is on the rise. Citizenship adoption rates have declined 40% since 2001, and 30% of newcomers under 30 plan to leave Canada within 2 years.

“Through the Canoo Access Pass, the McCord Stewart Museum is actively resisting this trend, offering transformative, welcoming experiences that make Canada easier to love and harder to leave,” says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “As with every part of Canada, Quebec’s prosperity depends on newcomers not only coming, but staying, thriving and becoming proud citizens. Canoo’s Newcomer Equity Partners, led by the McCord Stewart, are stepping up even more to provide this vital service for immigrants and for Canada”

“The McCord Stewart Museum is committed to presenting the stories of Montreal and Quebec communities in an inclusive manner, through its collections and programs, and to better reflecting current social concerns. Newcomers and long-time Canadians alike are invited to take part in dialogues and exchanges that the Museum intends to be participatory, citizen-centred and environmentally sustainable, for a better way of living together in the long term,” says the McCord Stewart Museum.

The McCord Stewart Museum welcomes over 600,000 visitors a year and is a premier destination to discover Montreal’s contributions to the development of Quebec and Canada, and put forward the stories and realities of Indigenous Peoples.

About Canoo

The Canoo Access Pass is designed to make newcomers love Canada by granting access to the country’s best experiences.

By downloading the free Canoo app, newcomers get access to over 1500 experiences and destinations including parks, museums, galleries, concerts, travel, professional sports, and more. Partner offers include VIA Rail, Parks Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, Cirque du Soleil, and Toronto FC.

About the The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

About the McCord Stewart Museum

A fixture in the heart of the city for over 100 years, the McCord Stewart Museum sheds light on life in Montreal, both past and present. It bears witness to the history, vitality, creativity and diversity of the communities that make up the city. In keeping with its commitment to decolonization and sustainable development, it creates exhibitions and educational, cultural and community-engagement activities that look at social history and contemporary issues through a critical and inclusive lens. The Museum’s Archives, Documentary Art, Dress, Fashion and Textiles, Indigenous Cultures, Material Culture and Photography collections, containing 2.5 million images, objects, documents and works of art, position it as the custodian of a remarkable historical heritage and one of North America’s leading museums.

Media Contact

Brooke Timpson
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2023

TORONTO, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is proud to announce a new partnership to support its growing network of newcomers that are calling Canada home. Starting today, members of the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass will have access to exclusive offers with CIBC to save money in addition to accessing financial planning tools and advice.

Through this partnership with CIBC, premium offers available exclusively to Canoo members, include:

2 years of no-fee banking
2 years of fee rebates on select premium credit cards
0.5% rate reductions for loan products and lines of credit
Preferred mortgage rates
100 free stock trades
Free global money transfers

“The ICC is thrilled to be sharing this exclusive offer from CIBC with Canoo members,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO, ICC. “CIBC shares our vision of supporting newcomers – Canada’s future –and their ability to one day support Canada. We’re honoured to have found such a sincere partner who shares our belief that Canada succeeds when newcomers succeed.”

“We know that moving to a new country can be overwhelming,” said Jeff Smith, Senior Vice-President, Client Segmentation and Franchising, CIBC. “With rising costs and the need to settle in, exploring Canada isn’t always possible for newcomers. This new partnership highlights the exciting experiences that our country provides and complements what our bank offers to help new residents easily access banking services.”

This new partnership announcement comes at a time when Canoo has been expanding benefits to its members from major institutions across Canada. Earlier this month, Canoo teamed up with Bell, who became the program’s exclusive telecommunications partner, and now offers special mobility and Internet deals to its members.

Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners ensures that newcomers and their families can experience Canada’s most sought after experiences as well as the tools they need to help call Canada home. Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading its app for free.

For more about the app and the growing list of benefits for Canoo members, please visit Canoo.ca.

About

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network and locations across Canada, with offices in the United States and around the world.
Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at cibc.mediaroom.com.

Media Contacts

ICC / Canoo:
Alex Nanoff
613.709.6318 or media@inclusion.ca

CIBC:
Katarina Milicevic, CIBC Communications & Public Affairs
416.784.6108 or katarina.milicevic@cibc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 5^th, 2023

TORONTO, ON — This summer, and throughout the year, Canoo newcomer members and their families are invited to explore over 330 Ontario Parks for free thanks to the partnership between the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Ontario Parks. This summer, and year-round, all members of the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass will be granted free vehicle admission for one year to some of the country’s best outdoor recreation experiences, alongside hundreds of other destinations across Canada.

“While immigration levels continue to grow, there is mounting evidence that immigrants are leaving Canada in greater numbers too, posing an existential threat to our shared prosperity, said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “Canada’s natural beauty is something many immigrants have never experienced: a global treasure that is a powerful reason to call Canada home, even if things are difficult in the beginning. By welcoming newcomers to our precious, pristine wilderness, Ontario Parks is serving a higher purpose for Canada: helping the newcomers who secure our prosperity to fall in love with this land of ours and build their homes, families, and futures with us, as Canadians.”

Canoo members will also have access to Ontario Parks’ Ambassador Program for in-person and online camping workshops.

With over 11 million visits annually from around the world, Ontario Parks showcases some of the province’s most iconic places to hike, swim, picnic and fish with friends and family. With free vehicle admissions to Ontario Parks this summer, Canoo members will have access to over 19,000 car-accessible campsites to explore and help discover Ontario’s natural beauty.

Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners around Ontario and Canada ensures that newcomers and their families can experience Canada’s most sought after outdoor experiences.

Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading its app for free.

About

Media Contact

Brooke Timpson
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2023

Expanded Partnership Welcomes Newcomers to Explore the West with Pursuit

Banff, AB — This summer, newcomers from coast-to-coast can experience hundreds of the most inspiring and unforgettable experiences that Alberta has to offer, thanks to an exciting new partnership between the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), through their Canoo Access Pass, which serves more newcomers than any other organization in Canada, and Pursuit, a leading global provider of hospitality experiences.

The ICC and Pursuit first established a partnership in October 2022 to offer Canoo members one discounted visit to the spectacular Banff Gondola.

The partnership has been extended offering new Canoo members discounts to five iconic experiences from Pursuit in Banff, Jasper, and Golden, BC from June 1^st to October 9^thof this year. These include the Lake Minnewanka and Maligne Lake Classic Cruises, Columbia Icefield Adventure, the Golden Skybridge in BC, as well as the Open Top Touring in Banff and Jasper.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Pursuit, bringing even more iconic Rocky Mountain experiences to Canoo members who live in the West and those who come to visit thanks to Canoo’s exceptional travel deals,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO for the ICC.

“With Canada’s largest audience of newcomers, we’re happy to be driving the next generation of domestic tourists towards a company that makes such generous and heartfelt contributions to our members and our country.”

“The partnership supports the creation of an emotional connection to Canada’s national parks,” says Stuart Back, Chief Operating Officer, Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection. “By providing newcomers the opportunity to learn about Canadian heritage through world-class experiences, thus inspiring them to become lifelong visitors to these majestic places.”

Canoo’s growing network of welcome partners in Western Canada ensures that newcomers and their families can experience the very best of Canada. These organizations are stepping up for a higher purpose: to make Canada easier to love and harder to leave for the newcomers whose talents and contributions will secure Canada’s prosperity for generations to come.

Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can join Canoo by downloading its app for free.

About

Media Contact

Brooke Timpson
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca