City of Kitchener fosters economic vitality through Newcomer Strategy

For immediate release 
Date: Wednesday, March 11 

City of Kitchener fosters economic vitality through Newcomer Strategy 

Kitchener, ON – Kitchener City Council has approved the City’s Municipal Newcomer Strategy, a community and economic development strategy designed to support economic participation, cultural inclusion and ensure that City services can be accessed by everyone in our community. 

The strategy recognizes the essential role newcomers play in Kitchener’s social and economic life. It outlines actions to help newcomer residents more easily connect with City services, build relationships and participate fully in community life. 

“The Municipal Newcomer Strategy is an excellent step forward for ensuring Kitchener continues to be a great place to live, work and play for everyone who has chosen to make Kitchener their home,,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Newcomers strengthen the diversity and economic vitality of Kitchener by starting businesses, filling talent shortages and workforce gaps, and contributing to our community. This strategy will support and grow these critical contributions from our new neighbours, making our community better for everyone!.” 

The critical roles being filled by newcomers are a core part of our Kitchener community, and the Municipal Newcomer Strategy was developed to increase opportunities to accelerate their economic participation. Between 2016 and 2021, newcomers made up about 69 per cent of Kitchener’s population growth, and about 30 per cent of residents today are immigrants. Many newcomers already use small business supports, and the strategy includes actions to improve awareness of these programs, create a program for newcomer business owners and improve coordination across City services. 

The strategy also focuses on community-building. The City will take part in more newcomer-focused events, including Welcoming Week, increase multilingual and newcomer-friendly communications and develop civic engagement opportunities for newcomer youth. A paid internship program for newcomers at the City will also be created. 

“This strategy will have our City’s newcomer team out in the community,” said Community & Infrastructure Services Committee Chair and Ward 2 Councillor Dave Schnider. “They will meet people where they are and help them unlock their potential to use their skills and talents to become connected contributors in Kitchener.” The strategy includes steps to strengthen the City’s internal ability to serve a diverse population. This includes added staff resources and new tools to help City teams understand and respond to newcomer needs. 

Developed over the course of 2025 through extensive community engagement and cross-departmental collaboration, the strategy reflects input from more than 1100 residents, service providers, businesses and internal City teams. It aligns newcomer integration of both new Canadians as well as new residents to our community, with broader economic development objectives such as talent attraction and retention, small business development and labour market participation. 

“When newcomers are able to find community and use their skills, everyone benefits,” said Olabukonla Mise, Project Manager for the Municipal Newcomer Strategy. “This strategy supports newcomer belonging and can help all thrive together.” 

The Municipal Newcomers Strategy is one of the action items committed to in the City of Kitchener’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, advancing the goals of fostering a caring city together and creating an economically thriving city together. Final council endorsement of the strategy will occur on Monday, March 23. 

For more information:  

Kayla Snyder 

Manager, Corporate Communications 

City of Kitchener 

media@kitchener.ca