The history of the Centre reaches back to 2005, when North Bay Economic Development Officer Marla Tremblay sat around a table with a handful of interested volunteers to discuss immigration to the city. From this group, the North Bay Newcomer Network, or NNN, was formed.
The need for a settlement agency was identified as a key priority and Jan. 1, 2008, the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre opened its doors at its original location at 374 Fraser St. with funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and 2.5 staff says a news release from the centre.
Fast forward 10 years and the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre has a prominent downtown location at 100 Main St. E., a satellite office in Timmins, diverse funding, a staff of 10.5 and a coverage area from Parry Sound in the south to James Bay in the north.
As well as providing support and services to newcomers, it coordinates the Local Immigration Partnerships in both North Bay and Timmins.
The Multicultural Centre has led initiatives such as:
- the creation of a Northeastern Ontario immigration portal,
- coordination of Syrian refugee initiatives in the region,
- creation of English as a Second Language classes,
- immigration forums in North Bay, Temiskaming Shores, Timmins, Kirkland Lake and Sundridge,
- Canada Day Multicultural Showcase at the North Bay waterfront,
- an immigrant loan fund,
- an international drumming festival,
- international cooking club,
- the annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination projects in North Bay and Timmins, including Students Who Make a Difference,
- Human Rights Hall of Fame at Canadore College,
- an anti-racism poster contest in the schools and
- an anti-racism lending library.
Over the years it has been recognized as the non-profit of the year by the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, entrepreneurial agency of the year by Northern Ontario Business, and has earned two Newcomer Champion awards from the Ontario government.
Executive Director Deborah Robertson has worked at the Centre for eight of those 10 years, initially as Program Coordinator before taking over the reins from founding Executive Director Don Curry upon his retirement in December 2015. Originally from London, England, she remembers her initial contact with the Centre.
“I first walked into the Multicultural Centre as a client and was so grateful for the support and guidance that was provided,” she said. “I then went on to volunteer before joining the team. The Multicultural Centre has grown so much over the years but at its core remains a caring, dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Strong community partnerships are also an invaluable support to the work that we do.”
Languages spoken by staff members include English, French, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Arabic. Newcomers served by the Centre speak a total of over 65 languages.
The Centre is a registered charity and donations are welcome to sponsor activities not covered by core funder Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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