20 Journeys Photo Exhibit at Markham Civic Centre
Showcases stories of immigrants and their paths to employment success

Markham, ON ~ The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) in partnership with the Town of Markham presents 20 Journeys: A Visual Essay of the Immigrant Experience from March 17 to 20 at the Markham Civic Centre The exhibit is free to the public. Mayor Frank Scarpitti will host a launch reception in the Great Hall on Monday, March 17 at 10 a.m. Media are invited to attend.

TRIEC’s 20 Journeys is a traveling exhibit of powerful photographs and stories of immigrants entering the labour market. It details the experiences of skilled immigrants, their journeys to achieving success, and the programs and employers that have shared in their milestones. The exhibit features immigrants from India, Sri Lanka, China, Columbia, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Switzerland, the UK and the Ukraine.

“Our partnership with TRIEC is an important one,” says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the success stories of new Canadians in the workplace and to build our skills at the Town of Markham so we can take a more active and effective role in helping other newcomers as they start on their journeys to success in Canada.”

WHAT: 20 Journeys exhibit launch

WHEN: Monday, March 17, 2008
10 to 11 a.m.

WHERE: Markham Civic Centre, Great Hall
101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario

WHO: Frank Scarpitti, Town of Markham Mayor
Tony C. Wong, Markham Regional Councillor
Logan Kanapathi, Markham Ward 7 Councillor
Elizabeth McIsaac, Executive Director, TRIEC

“20 Journeys reflects the experience of many immigrants who bring valuable skills, education and talent to the Town of Markham each year,” says Elizabeth McIsaac, executive director of TRIEC. “We hope this exhibit will help to broaden public awareness on the benefits of including newcomers in our economy and society.”

In 2006, 56.5% of Markham’s population was foreign-born. Only the City of Richmond in the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA) had a higher proportion of foreign-born in Canada. Between 2001 and 2006, 18,900 new immigrants settled in Markham.

Recent immigrants in Markham are adding to the already diverse population. In 2006, the vast majority (84.3%) of newcomers were born in Asia and the Middle East. All top five source countries were in Asia: the People's Republic of China, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Philippines.

20 Journeys is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is part of TRIEC’s ongoing public awareness work. TRIEC's primary goal is to help integrate skilled immigrants into the local labour market by breaking down the barriers they face when looking for employment.

Visit www.triec.ca/20journeys for more information.