INTRO

Immigration Partnership Saskatoon is a Local Immigration partnership – or a LIP, which is an initiative designed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to develop a community-based approach to facilitate the integration of newcomers into Canada. LIPs bring stakeholders who are not typically a part of the settlement process for immigrants and refugees to successfully welcome and integrate newcomers through a unique multi-level governance structure involving municipal, provincial, and federal partners.

LIPs begun in 2008 and there are now over 86 LIPs across the country, 6 of which are in Saskatchewan.The Partnership Council is made up of high-level executives from sectors across the community, including all levels of government. LIPs do not provide direct service to clients but rather work at the level of policy and systems. The City of Saskatoon is the collective impact backbone organization for Saskatoon LIP.

The LIP model serves as a complement to existing activities in the community and is seen as a platform to systematize initiatives and support the bridging between present settlement service provider organizations (SPOs) and mainstream organizations in the community.