New research released by The Immigrant Welcome Centre鈥檚 Welcoming Communities Coalition takes a deep dive into what prevents the full integration of new immigrants and refugees in our communities.

The 2023 Needs Assessment Report invited newcomers who have lived in the Campbell River and Comox Valley regions for five years or less to participate in a survey or focus groups to learn more about the barriers and gaps around successful settlement.

鈥淲e believe the findings in this report can help local organizations improve programs and services to better support newcomers as well as others in our communities,鈥� Julie Keumbehdjian, coalition coordinator says.

Some of the key findings include:

鈥� 22 per cent of newcomers said they experienced racism or discrimination in the past five years

鈥� 38 per cent of newcomers said they sometimes or often felt isolated in the community

鈥� 38 per cent of newcomers said they are currently in a job that is lower than or not related to their skills and experience

鈥� 48 per cent of newcomers said their household income is not quite enough for the needs of themselves and their family

More than 200 settled residents (those who have lived here for more than five years) were then surveyed to better understand community members鈥� perceptions around the impact of immigration on our community. Nineteen per cent said they 鈥渄isagreed鈥� or 鈥渟trongly disagreed鈥� that immigration has a positive impact on our community, with the majority of those who disagreed stating that they think there is not a strong enough support system available for settlement and integration of immigrants or that immigration puts pressure on public services.