That's a wrap on OCASI's 2026 Leaders’ Forum!💚 Two days of honest conversations, fresh ideas and renewed commitment to collaboration among colleagues from across Ontario's immigrant- and refugee-serving sector. We are eager to take these ideas forward together. #OCASILeadersForum

Day 2 of OCASI's Leaders’ Forum began with a galvanizing call to action from Charlie Angus. The former MP urged the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector to speak out against hatred and xenophobia and tell the stories of the Canada we want to build. #OCASILeadersForum

Day 1 of OCASI's 2026 Leaders’ Forum brought honest conversations, fresh perspectives and renewed solidarity. The afternoon featured lively discussions and connections across the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector, followed by OCASI's 48th AGM. #OCASILeadersForum

OCASI's 2026 Leaders’ Forum is underway! Opening keynote speaker David Macdonald examined the impact of federal cuts on settlement services, refugee health care and housing support — and urged agencies to make those consequences visible. #OCASILeadersForum

Le Forum des leaders d’OCASI débute demain avec une conférence de David Macdonald sur les conséquences économiques des changements de la politique fédérale d’immigration. Il est encore temps de participer en ligne les 28 et 29 octobre ! Inscription : leadersforum.ocasi.org #OCASILeadersForum

OCASI's Leaders’ Forum starts tomorrow, with an opening keynote by David Macdonald on the economic impact of federal immigration policy changes. 📣There's still time to join the conversation online, October 28–29! Register: leadersforum.ocasi.org/ #OCASILeadersForum

“Municipal services matter to all of us.” As Ontario votes, OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas encourages eligible voters to consider where candidates stand on housing, transit, libraries and accessible services. “Every vote matters.” #YourVoteMatters #MunicipalElections2026

What's happening across Ontario's immigrant and refugee-serving sector? The October issue of OCASI in the Field features Debbie Douglas's reflections on our recent regional meetings, plus policy updates, research, resources and events. Read the latest issue and more: bit.ly/4zxCG0K

What would you like to hear from federal immigration leadership? Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, is the closing keynote at #OCASILeadersForum. Join us Oct. 29 — in person or virtually. leadersforum.ocasi.org

What do we do with the truth once we know it? On #NDTR, a powerful message from today’s Yellowhead Institute gathering: learn the history, listen to Survivors, challenge denialism and protect the truth for generations to come. 🧡 #EveryChildMatters

Today, OCASI honours residential school Survivors, the children who never returned home, their families, and communities. Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility, reflected in how we learn, listen, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. #TruthAndReconciliation

Great to be in Ajax for OCASI’s Central East Regional Meeting — and back in person with members from across the region after seven years of virtual gatherings. Thanks to Community Development Council Durham for the warm welcome. We talked funding, services, health and successful settlement.

People from across Toronto came together at Christie Pits today to stand up and march for migrants' rights and call for end to exploitation and policies that deepen migrants' precarity, a stop to deportations, and the renewal of work and study permits. #StatusforAll #MigrantJustice

Investment in immigrant and refugee settlement and integration is an investment in Ontario. At today’s South Regional Meeting in Hamilton, OCASI members highlighted the strength of collaboration across the region — and why funding and service models should support, not undermine, that collaboration

Toronto brought the energy today ⚡ At OCASI’s Toronto Regional Meeting, members stressed that strong economic outcomes depend on strong social outcomes. Canada cannot afford to lose skilled workers, or employers’ investment in them, because work permits cannot be renewed. #OCASI

When services for immigrants and refugees are cut, the whole community loses. Today’s active, solutions-focused OCASI Central West meeting highlighted the need for stable funding to support services that enable newcomers to contribute their skills and full potential

Today’s OCASI North Regional Meeting in North Bay highlighted the strength of connections across Northern Ontario’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector. Members face funding and policy uncertainty, but strong relationships, shared purpose and solidarity span the region

At OCASI’s West Regional Meeting in Chatham, one message was clear: Ontario’s role in settlement is increasingly critical. Social outcomes — housing, child care, language, trust and belonging — aren’t separate from economic outcomes. They make successful integration possible #OCASI #Ontario

Across Ontario, our member agencies do vital work in challenging circumstances. At today’s OCASI East Regional Meeting, members called for stronger collaboration and collective messaging to challenge anti-immigrant narratives and highlight immigrant contributions @ymcaottawa.bsky.social

“How do we navigate this period of austerity while needs remain and, in many cases, are increasing?” asks Debbie Douglas, C.M in her September blog. Read it in our September newsletter; also see OCASI and sector updates, events, reports and funding opportunities. oca.si/h3j47e

Portage students protested unfair work-permit denials. Calgary Police called CBSA. Ten now face removal orders. Migrants have the right to protest without fear. Today we are joining 250+ orgs to defend it. Join us: MigrantRights.ca/RighttoProtest #DefendRightToProtest @MarkJCarney

"How did we go in less than twenty-four months from dreaming and planning for a broad regularization program ... to this place of increased deportations", writes Debbie Douglas, C.M in her August blog. Read the blog and more in OCASI's August 2026 newsletter at oca.si/318ix5

"In Gratitude and Solidarity" - read the latest blog from Debbie Douglas, OCASI ED, in the July edition of our newsletter, OCASI In The Field. Also read updates from OCASI, sector news, funding opportunities, reports and events. oca.si/kz9ad4

We are proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Debbie Douglas, on her investiture into the Order of Canada on June 25, 2026 at Rideau Hall. Watch the ceremony: shorturl.at/mO8Hc

OCASI calls on the government to strengthen immigrant services, social infrastructure, reduce poverty, and invest in a Canada where everyone can thrive. ocasi.org/ocasi-federa...

www.thestar.com/news/canada/...

Ford government quietly reverses medical residency rule that excluded most immigrant physicians

The rule required candidates to have at least two years of Ontario high school to be considered for first round of matching for residency placements.

thestar.com

Corporate profits hit a new all time high of $676 bil in 2025, besting the previous 2022 record www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo... @policyalternatives.ca

Federal Budget Falls Short on Canada’s Commitment to Immigrants and Refugees: - End limits on settlement services - Stop scapegoating immigrants and refugees - - #Statusforall Read our statement: oca.si/j5c48j

End Poverty! Let's start with: - Healthcare for all - Affordable housing for all - Raise the rates