What to know
- Hundreds of newcomers will gather in downtown Toronto for a free Team Canada World Cup watch party hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
- Organizers say the event is designed to foster belonging and help newcomers connect with their communities through shared experiences.
- The watch party is part of the ICC’s broader mission through Canoo, an app that gives eligible newcomers access to more than 2,000 free and discounted experiences across Canada.
As Canada kicks off its first World Cup match, a Toronto organization is bringing hundreds of newcomers together to cheer on Team Canada while building connection and belonging.
A special World Cup watch party organized by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is inviting hundreds of newcomers to come watch Canada take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in an event that CEO Daniel Bernhard says is aimed at fostering community connection and Canadian pride for this community.
The ICC is a national charity working to retain and integrate newcomers into Canada’s economy and society. With employees from over 12 countries, the CEO says that the organization is proud to support people in their journey to call Canada home, adding that immigration makes our country stronger.
“Canada’s strongest when talented people from around the world come and play for our team, and we’re seeing that Canada has increasing competition for talent,” Bernhard explained.
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“If people aren’t happy here, if they don’t feel welcome here, if they’re not able to succeed, they do have other options, and that is our loss,” he continued.
Bernhard explained that the country has a serious need to recruit people working in various sectors, including but not limited to social services and healthcare.
“So we need to be doing everything that we can to make sure that these talented, exceptional people get excited about Canada, fall in love with Canada, and commit themselves to Canada’s success.”
A World Cup watch party with a purpose
Aiming to help people settle into life in Canada, the organization also arranges various events, like today’s watch party. Hosted at their office, located downtown Toronto at 325 Front St. W., doors to the event open at 1:30 p.m., with the party offering live match viewing, local food and drinks, and opportunities for attendees to connect with other newcomers building their lives in Canada.
Entry is free for people registered on the Canoo app, an ICC initiative that gives newcomers access to over 2,000 free events, so they can explore their new country. This, Bernhard says, is a crucial part of the settlement process.
“There are so many people who complain in Canada nowadays that immigrants aren’t interested in integrating into the society and becoming Canadian,” he explained. “But what we often overlook is that there aren’t that many opportunities necessarily for people to do that.”
The app gives people free or discounted access to things like museums, Via Rail, soccer, hockey, and Raptors tickets, and entry to different concerts. Bernhard explained that the goal is to give people access to different ways to experience Canada.
“Discovering the country, integrating into the country can’t be done in a classroom; it can only be done out in the world,” he explained. “Canoo makes those experiences available for the newest arrivals to Canada, so they fall in love with Canada and become Canadian, not just in their passports, but in our hearts.”
Find out more about Canoo and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship on the ICC website.
