Today, just over one in four Montrealers is a first generation immigrant. Montreal has become unquestionably a multi-ethnic city.
The City Council openly acknowledges that all newcomers contribute to confirm the cosmopolitan character of the city, and that their contribution will enrich the cultural and economic life. But in order to realise this diversity advantage, it is important that people can live in adequate multi-ethnic housing and neighbourhoods.
To ensure the city maintains a special focus on this, it set up Habiter la mixité in 1999, the result of collaboration with the City of Montreal and the Department of Immigration and cultural Communities (MICC).
Its main objectives are
- welcoming newcomers,
- promoting exchanges between different cultures,
- allowing them to connect with their environment and encourage them to participate in community life.
The project is implemented in five districts and takes the form of activities designed to:
- break the isolation of people;
- promote intercultural relations;
- encourage immigrants to become familiar with their surroundings and their environment.
- Commitment of local organizations
Many of the activities are set up with community organizations at the centre. This provides the advantage of allowing newcomers to discover the resources and community services available in their neighbourhood. Activities can take various forms, such as individual meetings with families, outings in the city or outside, community meals, workshops and parties, to name a few.