CC LLLLLLLSADTSEE “I SE ee 0 duly 26, 2024 Stratford Times Stratford judged for this year’s Communities in Bloom competition CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter International Communities in Bloom judges Susan Ellis and Bob Ivison recent- ly toured Stratford to evaluate the city for this year’s Communities in Bloom compe- tition. Stratford is competing in the Interna- tional Challenge - Medium category along with: Brooks Region, Alberta, Sone, Quebec, Szentes, Hungary, and Ti Meath County, Ireland. The judges looked at things like com- munity appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscaped areas and plant and floral dis- plays. Ellis and Ivison were also in attendance at the Stratford city council meeting on July 22, where they spoke the Festival City’s praises. “We've had a really thorough visit of Stratford and we are delighted to be here,” Ellis said, pointing out that Stratford has a distinction not many share: it has been a part of Communities in Bloom for 30 con- tinuous years. “That's a very unique and dignified and eu neues club that you are in,” she aid. Mayor Martin Ritsma thanked the two for coming and the work that Coun. Brad tery manager, do for the annual competi- tion. This year is the 30th year of Commu- LOVE & HOPE GROW HERE Communities in Bloom judges are shown through the Ted Blowes Memorial Pollinator Peace Garden for this year’s competition. nities in Bloom. The (eat ol rans Edward Island. is being hosted in Charlottetown, Prince Next year, the symposium returns to Stratford. (CITY OF STRATFORD PHOTO) MAPH sounds alarm on job security, opportunities CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Multicultural Association of Perth Huron (MAPH) is calling attention to a lack of job security and oppor- tunities for newcomers to Canada — be they refugees or immigrants. Kelly McGarrell, a board member of MAPH, said that it has been a long standing issue but just recently it has felt especially worrying. “Tf you look at what’s going on in the world, there are so many different ... crises simultaneously happening,” Maximize your return. Conservative Advice for Intelligent Decisions Franklin E. Hinz 196 Ontario Street Stratford, Ontario N5A 3H4 519-273-1633 _ franklinehinz.com Donna L. for newcomers McGarrell said. “The need now is because you look at Syria, you look at Ukraine, Uganda, Sudan, the Pales- tinian situation, if you can call it that, right now ... it’s reaching a tipping point because there’s more crises and there are no solutions. “T started with the organization in 2012,” McGarrell further stated. “This is so much different now than it ever was before.” McGarrell explained that there are a number of factors contributing to newcomers’ difficulty finding employ- “There's no work history here,” McGarrell said. “So it becomes increasingly difficult to justify their skills here in our country ... in the organization (we have the) ben- efit of a very strong network, and we try our best to help people find meaningful employment based on the people that we already know and interact with. But that can only last for so long before those connections run out.” Aside from a lack of in-country experience, language barriers and driving licences are big hurdles as well. Yonas Gebrekiros, one of the newcomers that MAPH has been assisting, pointed out that many jobs require a driver’s licence but newcomers have to get a G1 and then wait a year for even their G2, let alone their full licence. Steve Landers, a MAPH volunteer, said that employ- ment is an important issue facing newcomers, but it is one of many interconnected problems. “People are eating at food banks right now,” he said. “Which is okay, but that shouldn’t be a permanent solu- tion. People are having trouble getting accommodation. ee re having trouble getting work. It’s all tied togeth- ooThey have to feed their families,” McGarrell said. “They have to be able to live here once they come.” McGarrell believes that if the government brings refu- gees and other ii immigrants into Canada then it needs to have more supports put in place to make sure that they can land on their feet. Anything less, she said, is irre- sponsible. Landers went a step further and called it a form of cru- elty. In light of these expounding challenges, the organi- zation is asking the community to open their doors and reach out if there are any positions available. “And take chances on really hard working, willing peo- ple,” McGarrell said. MAPH is currently assisting around 80 families, presi- dent and founder Geza Wordofa said, though the organi- zation has helped hundreds more settle into Canada over the years. WWW.STRATFORDTIMES.COM