Newcomer Strategy for London, Ontario

 

Choose London - Innovative, Vibrant and Global: London's Newcomer Strategy

Choose London – Innovative, Vibrant and Global: London’s Newcomer Strategy  is a community-driven strategy, led by the City of London.  It is the product of a broad consultation process with multiple stakeholders, along with statistical and literature reviews. This strategy identifies three strategic priorities:  Enhance Awareness, Facilitate Access and Active Engagement.  Each of these strategic priorities is supported by the activities as set out in the work plan. The activities are aimed at creating a necessary drive towards meeting quantitative targeted outcomes relating to Newcomer attraction and retention to sustain and increase economic growth.

With an aging population and declining birth rates, creating increased supports for the attraction, retention and integration of Newcomers, including international students, foreign trained professionals and multigenerational immigrants, has been identified by the City as a top priority for Londoners, City Council and Civic Administration.

Newcomers to Canada play a vital role in the country's economic, social and cultural success.

Newcomer Strategy

 

Free of Fear Services for All

The City of London provides services to residents regardless of their immigration status.

When you apply for, or use City services, City of London employees will not ask about immigration status or personal information unless there is a legislative requirement to do so. In such cases where immigration status must be documented, staff will not disclose your immigration status to the Canadian Border Services Agency or to the police.

In many cases, City services may be accessed with proof of identification only. Proof of identification or residency is not necessarily an official government document. Depending on the service, proof of identification or residency can be as simple as a telephone bill that shows your address.

Review identification requirements for commonly accessed municipal services in London below or call 519 661-2489 to be transferred to the direct service.  You can also e-mail ASKCITY@london.ca with your question. You do not need to provide any personal information when asking for information.

Free of Fear Policy

Identification Requirements
City of London Services Requiring Proof of Immigration Status

The following services DO require proof of immigration status to access services.

Child Care

Child Care Fee Subsidy

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes

Income Subsidy

Ontario Works

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes

 

Discretionary Benefits

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes

 

Emergency Assistance

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes – at least proof that Refugee Claim is in process

 

Housing Subsidy

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes

 

 

Recreation Fee Subsidy

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

 

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: Yes

 

Vehicles for Hire

Taxis, Limousines and Private Vehicles for Hire

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: No, however work permit is required

Immigration Status: Yes

Municipal Licensing and Standards

Business and Rental Licensing

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes for some categories of licenses

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: Yes, for some licenses

 

City of London Services NOT Requiring Proof of Immigration Status

The following services DO NOT require proof of immigration status to access services.

London Emergency Services

Fire Services/Paramedic and Ambulance (EMS)

Identification Required: No

Name: No

Address: No

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

Municipal Licensing and Standards

By-Law Enforcement Complaints

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: No

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Pet Licensing

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No 

 

Marriage Licence

Identification Required: Yes (photo ID)

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

Information

Public Service Call Centre (complaints)

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Building and Development

Land development and Building Permits

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Property complaints, inspections, and compliance

Identification Required: No

Name: No

Address: No

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

Community and Neighbourhood Services

Recreation Facilities, Classes & General Programs

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Dependent on type of registration

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Community Centres – General Programs

Identification Required: Dependent on activity

Name: Dependent on activity

Address: Dependent on activity

Date of Birth: Dependent on activity

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Early-On Drop in programs (located at Family Centres)

Identification Required: No

Name: Yes

Address: No

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

Subsidized Transit (Bus) Pass

Identification Required: Yes

Name: Yes

Address: Yes

Date of Birth: Yes

Income or Assets: Yes

Immigration Status: No 

Employment Resources

Employment Resource Centres at all sites in the City

Identification Required: No

Name: No

Address: No

Date of Birth: No

Income or Assets: No

Immigration Status: No

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How will this Free of Fear Services for All policy help our community?

  • This policy will encourage all individuals to feel safer and to participate more fully in the community, by using City of London services that are available to them.

What are the limitations of this policy?

  • This policy applies to those services directly provided by the City of London.

Who is a "Non-Status Individual" or an individual with "Uncertain Status"

  • This refers to someone who resides in Canada and whose documents are no longer being accepted, who may have an unknown immigration status, or their current status is not recognized by the state.

What is a non-disclosure practice under this policy?

  • Under the policy Free of Fear Services for All, City of London staff will only enquire about a person’s immigration status directly or indirectly when legally required to do so. This means that City staff will not report a resident’s immigration status to the Canadian Border Services Agency or to the Police (Campus Community Police Service, London Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, or Royal Canadian Mounted Police) , unless legally required to do so.

Free of Fear Flyers - Multi-Languages

 

 

Last modified:Wednesday, January 12, 2022