Calgary Catholic Immigration Society marks 45th anniversary, urges cross‑government response to immigration surge
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society held a June 19, 2026 conference to mark its 45th anniversary and called for coordinated government action, honest public dialogue and stronger community integration.
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) marked its 45th anniversary on June 19, 2026 with a conference that framed a growing influx of newcomers as a challenge requiring coordinated action from municipal, provincial and federal governments.
Speakers, including CCIS staff and former leaders, warned that public confidence in immigration has eroded and urged frank conversations to restore trust.
Organizers said the event combined policy discussion with calls to strengthen settlement services and community welcome to ensure long‑term integration.
Conference opens with call for coordinated solutions
Bamidele Salako, CCIS manager of marketing and communications, told the audience that the scale and speed of recent arrivals demand a sophisticated, multilevel response.
He said governments have already adjusted policy and intake levels in response to past missteps, but that restoring public confidence will take more than incremental changes.
Salako called for listening to the concerns of Canadians across regions while maintaining a commitment to the economic and social gains immigration can deliver.
Panel highlights policy adjustments and accountability
Speakers from all three orders of government took part in panels that explored how policy decisions ripple through communities and frontline services.
Panelists described recent changes intended to address pressures on housing, health care and labour markets, and acknowledged gaps in planning and communication.
The discussion emphasized accountability for implementation and better coordination between settlement agencies and policymakers.
Former CCIS CEO warns against scapegoating immigrants
Fariborz Birjandian, former CCIS chief executive and Friday’s keynote, cautioned that newcomers are often blamed during economic stress because they are an easy target.
He used a household analogy to argue that responsibility lies with those who set the terms of admission and capacity, not with the people who are invited in.
Birjandian stressed that when immigration systems function well, labour markets and communities benefit; when they do not, the consequences are broadly felt.
Settlement and integration placed at centre of debate
Speakers reiterated that arrival is only the start of a longer settlement and integration process that requires housing, employment supports and community connections.
CCIS officials said their frontline work focuses on helping newcomers find homes, access services and build social ties that foster belonging.
Salako noted that a visible sense of ownership and belonging encourages newcomers to invest in their communities and contribute fully to civic and economic life.
Community welcome seen as essential to policy success
A recurring theme was that public understanding of immigration’s benefits must match policy ambitions if programs are to succeed.
Organizers argued that when the economic and demographic advantages of immigration are not clearly felt or communicated, skepticism grows and political backlash becomes more likely.
Conference presenters called for targeted public education, more transparent planning and visible local benefits to help bridge that perception gap.
Recommendations for next steps and collaboration
Speakers proposed a set of practical steps, including better data sharing among governments, clearer communications about admission targets and expanded supports for settlement agencies.
They urged municipalities to be included early in planning discussions and recommended funding models that scale with intake and local needs.
There was also a call for regular, structured dialogue between community groups, employers and elected officials to translate policy intent into effective local practice.
The conference underscored that immigration policy and settlement work are interdependent: policy choices influence local capacity, and community reception shapes long‑term outcomes.
CCIS leaders framed the conversation not only as a response to immediate pressures but as a moment to renew practices that support integration and public trust.
They stressed that while views differ on how to reach shared goals, constructive public debate, better planning and joint responsibility across governments and communities will be necessary to ensure immigration continues to benefit Calgary and Canada.
