Scott Stanfield
Record Staff
The Immigrant Welcome Centre is forming local partnership councils in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
The centre is appealing to local governments and chambers of commerce. Councils will help identify priority needs for newcomers integrating into the region.
"Immigration is absolutely essential to the future of this country," Jon Ambler said Monday at Courtenay council.
IWC executive director Rachel Blaney expects to form the councils in the new year.
The centre has been helping newcomers settle in the region since 1992. From April, 2013 to March, 2014, it served 839 clients from 62 countries of origin.
For more information, call 250-338-6359 in the Valley, or 250-830-0171 in Campbell River, or visit www.immigrantwelcome.ca.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com