It’s the strength of our community that makes Chatham-Kent the first official welcoming community in Canada. 
Jason Stubitz from the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership says it’s a team effort.
“Other communities have applied, but Chatham-Kent received that first designation, and is the only one to date,” Stubitz says. “It does speak to all the work that community groups are doing, sponsorship holders, businesses, everyone in the community really pulling together.”
The LIP says our natural amenities, affordability, and recreation makes Chatham-Kent a great place to settle into Canadian life.
The Welcoming Community designation was given to Chatham-Kent by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada this fall.
The municipality has welcomed several Syrian refugee families, who are settling in to their new lives in the community.