Calgary, Alberta – The Calgary Airport Authority and the Calgary Newcomers Collaborative (CNC) powered by Gateway celebrates the newly established Immigrant Arrival Centre at YYC Calgary International Airport today.

Sparked by the influx of Ukrainian nationals to Calgary but designed to support all newcomers, the centre is a booth where immigrants and refugees can comfortably ask questions, seek support, and establish connections to services immediately upon arrival. 

“We’re the first airport in Canada to host voluntary immigrant services in-terminal,” said Chris Miles, VP of Infrastructure and Operations with the Calgary Airport Authority. “Calgary is a collaborative and welcoming city – The Calgary Newcomers Collective Immigrant Arrival Centre reflects the diverse communities we serve.”  

In a first-of-its-kind partnership with The Authority, eight newcomer-serving organizations that constitute the CNC collaborated to launch the centre—

• Action Dignity
• Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
• Calgary Immigrant Women's Association
• Centre d'Accueil pour Nouveaux Arrivants Francophones
• Centre for Newcomers
• Immigrant Services Calgary
• La Cité des Rocheuses
• Portail De L'Immigrant Association; and
• The Immigrant Education Society.

The centre is located near door 12 on the Arrivals level between international and domestic terminals. CNC representatives staff the booth every day from 2 to 10 p.m. where they welcome newcomers as they land and inform them about resources available to help them start building their new lives in Canada.

“The Immigrant Arrival Centre allows us to respond to the needs of newcomers right at the point of their arrival and ensures they receive essential support at the beginning of their settlement process. This innovative approach decreases the chances of newcomers slipping through the cracks or missing important resources that could significantly benefit them. We are optimistic that the Immigrant Arrival Centre will have far-reaching positive impacts on new Canadians as they adjust to their new home,” said Anila Lee Yuen, Chair of the CNC, and CEO of Centre for Newcomers.

ABOUT THE CALGARY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta and is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Springbank Airport (YBW). The Authority’s commitment to safety remains a top priority and our #FlyHealthyYYC program has received the Airport Health Accreditation by Airports Council International. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. The Authority was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2021.

About Calgary Newcomers Collaborative (CNC)

The Calgary Newcomers Collaborative (CNC) powered by Gateway is a collaboration of newcomer-serving agencies working to respond to the needs of immigrants and refugees in Calgary and the surrounding area. The founding members of the CNC include Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, Centre d'Accueil pour Nouveaux Arrivants Francophones, Centre for Newcomers, Immigrant Services Calgary, La Cité des Rocheuses, Portail De L'Immigrant Association, and The Immigrant Education Society.