Welcoming Week | Durham Immigration

Each year, the Region of Durham, along with its Durham Local Immigration Partnership (DLIP) and newcomer service providers recognizes Welcoming Week.

This year, Welcoming Week takes place from September 10 to 19, 2026.

This annual campaign celebrates the work done in communities to become welcoming places for all. It’s a time to recognize the power of inclusion and the people who make Durham Region a place where everyone belongs.

Did you know that 28 per cent of Durham’s current population are immigrants or individuals born outside Canada? Immigration is a key growth factor in our communities, enriching society and local economies by bringing global talent, contributing to the labour force, creating businesses, and enhancing cultural diversity. These are critical components of a healthy, prosperous, and thriving Durham for all.

Three people featured along with text that reads "We all belong in Durham" and the hasgtag Durham Is Our Home.

Newcomer Stories

Stories connect us and make us stronger. The theme of this year's Welcoming Week is The Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect. By sharing stories, we build understanding. Through that understanding, we shape what’s next. Our future is calling on us to imagine what we can achieve when we listen and learn from one another.

Watch the Durham Is More campaign video to hear about the stories of local newcomers who started their business in Durham as they reflect on their entrepreneurship journey—sharing how they started new endeavours all while settling in a new country.

Watch the We All Belong in Durham video to hear from Durham residents who are newcomers to Canada as they reflect on their settlement in the region—sharing both positive and challenging stories while settling in a new community.

To read more newcomer stories, visit We All Belong in Durham online.

Newcomer Services

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services

Service highlights

At Welcome Centre Immigrant Services, newcomers and immigrants can find services in one place.

Services are provided at no cost.

Welcome Centres in Durham Region are located in Ajax, Oshawa and Pickering.

Settlement services

Settlement services help newcomers successfully integrate into their community by providing clear pathways to essential services and support.
Clients receive guidance through referrals to settlement, government, and community services based on their needs.
These services cover a variety of areas, including assistance with government applications, housing, employment, and health care.
For those who require additional help, personalized support is offered through case management, ensuring they can access these services with ease.

Newcomer mental health and wellness

Services are delivered by culturally competent social workers from diverse cultural backgrounds to build trust and effect communication. Cultural sensitivity is incorporated by workers with understand and respect for cultural norms, values, and beliefs when supporting clients with mental health and wellness concerns throughout your settlement journey.
Information is provided to support the wellness needs and mental health of newcomer clients, including newcomer youth (13 and up).
Referrals to other mental health and wellness services, specific to client needs, are also available.

Welcome Week 2026 Events

The Pickering Welcome Centre will be having an Open House during Welcoming Week
- September 16, 2026
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Pickering Welcome Centre (1410 Bayly Street, Unit 3, Pickering)
  - Learn about free programs and services available through the Pickering Welcome Centre.
  - Meet staff and community partners.
  - Discover employment, settlement, housing, language, and community resources.
  - Connect with organizations that can support newcomers’ settlement journey in Durham Region.

The Ajax Welcome Centre is hosting a Municipal Elections Event
- September 16, 2026
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Ajax Welcome Centre (458 Fairall Street, Ajax)

The Ajax Welcome Centre will honor Welcoming Week 2026 through hosting Community Development Council Durham's annual Multicultural Celebration
- September 19, 2026
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Ajax Welcome Centre (458 Fairall Street, Ajax)
  - Enjoy cultural performances, food and refreshments, games and activities, crafts, workshops, and family fun.

The Oshawa/Clarington Welcome Centre is hosting an Open House
- September 17, 2026
- 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
- Oshawa/Clarington Welcome Centre (200 John Street West, Unit B9, Oshawa)

Conseil des Organismes Francophones de la Région de Durham (COFRD)

Service highlights

COFRD is the primary non-profit organization that supports the Francophone community in Durham Region. They provide settlement services for French-speaking newcomers, including assistance with housing, employment, education, and access to community resources.

How the Region supports newcomers

There are several ways the Region supports newcomers. These include:

The Newcomer Advisory Table

Comprised of Durham residents born outside of Canada, the Newcomer Advisory Table (NAT) is a volunteer group that offers insight, guidance and consultation for the Durham Local Immigration Partnership’s various projects and administration.

Learn more about the NAT members.

The Durham Local Immigration Partnership Council

The Durham LIP Council is an advisory body of executives and community leaders lending direction to the work of the Durham LIP Secretariat.

Durham Immigration Portal

The Portal provides information on services to assist with the initial stages of settling in Durham, answers to frequently asked questions, research and reports related to immigration in the region, and a Community Events calendar.

Durham Humanitarian Response Program (DHRP) and Durham Reception Centre (DRC)

Since 2023, the DHRP, led and administered by Community Development Council Durham (CDCD), supports asylum claimants with a range of essential settlement services that help people move toward independent living.

The DRC provides temporary accommodations and settlement services to asylum claimants.

Learn more about the DRC.

Additional Resources

The DLIP works with community partners to develop digital tools and resources about immigration and the newcomer experience in Durham Region.

About Immigration in Durham Region

A Look at Durham - Trends in Immigration and Citizenship

This report contains information about overall immigration trends in Durham Region, such as immigrant population by local area municipality, the demographic profile of immigrants, and immigrant and newcomer outcomes.

The Durham Local Immigration Partnership 2025-2030 Community and Inclusion Plan

The 2025-2030 Durham Community and Inclusion Plan outlines strategic priorities and actions that aim to improve the integration outcomes of newcomers and immigrants in Durham Region.