Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Multicultural Connections Program (MCP) helps introduce newcomers in Canada to their local natural environment.
MCP staff provide in-person or online environmental presentations for English as a Second Language (ESL) schools, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres, Canadian Citizenship preparation classes, newcomer groups and faith-based organizations.
MCP staff also coordinate discovery walks and newcomer events, and provide interactive booth displays for cultural and faith-based events.
To book an in-person or online presentation, contact:
Lisa Ward, Coordinator, Multicultural Program
Toronto, Region of Peel, and York Region
lisa.ward@trca.ca
(437) 880-2266
Multicultural Connections Program Presentations
ONLINE & IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS
The Multicultural Connections Program’s online & in-person presentations are available for English as a Second Language (ESL), Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), and newcomer audiences.
The MCP presentations are designed to introduce English language learners to new words, terminology, and concepts about native plants, local wildlife, environmental issues, Canadian history, conservation actions, and more.
MCP online & in-person presentations are free of charge. The costs are covered through the generous support of our regional funding partners.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Participants will learn about the Toronto and Region Conservation Park’s role in protecting nature, and operating conservation parks in the Greater Toronto Area.
Foods of Canada
Participants will learn about traditional Indigenous foods, regional foods, and Canadiana foods.
Participants will answer Test Your Knowledge questions during the presentation.
Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Participants will learn about the various Indigenous peoples and nations across Canada prior to European contact.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
Introduction to Black History in North America
Participants will learn about slavery in North America, and its impact on the captive Black Africans brought to Canada and the United States during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Participants will learn about legendary Black people in Canada.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
Pollinators in the Garden
Participants will learn about the importance of pollinators in their daily lives.
Participants will learn how to identify native pollinators.
Participants will learn about friendly pollinator practices for the seasons.
Participants will answer Test Your Knowledge questions during the presentation.
Protecting and Visiting Natural Areas in Canada
Participants will learn about how the three levels of government protect natural areas in Canada.
Participants will learn about National Parks, Ontario Parks, Conservation Authorities, and local parks.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
The Contact Period
Travel through the history of the New World with a focus on the early history of North America.
Participants will learn about European colonization and its impact on the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
The Indigenous Peoples in Canada presentation is recommended as a prerequisite for this presentation.
The Meadoway – A Story of Ecological Restoration in Toronto
Participants will learn about the importance of healthy ecosystems, and the role that they play in maintaining biodiversity and beneficial ecological services.
Participants will learn about the role that ecological restoration plays in an urban environment.
Participants will learn about The Meadoway, a vibrant and award winning 16-kilometre stretch of restored urban meadowlands in Toronto.
Participants will answer questions about ecological restoration during the presentation.
The Value of Water
Participants will learn about the importance of water in the natural environment and in their daily lives.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
Understanding Our Climate Emergency
Participants will learn about climate change terminology, climate change issues, local organizations, activists, and ideas for responding to the global climate emergency.
Participants will answer Test Your Knowledge questions during the presentation.
Waste Management
Participants will learn how waste (garbage, recycling, organics, household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and medical waste) is managed in their municipality.
Wildlife in the City
Participants will learn how to identify the local wildlife in the Greater Toronto Area.
Participants will learn how to appropriately interact with the local wildlife in the Greater Toronto Area.
Participants will learn how community organizations are working to protect wildlife in an urban environment.
Women of Impact in Canada
International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, held on March 8.
In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual month-long celebration of the outstanding achievements of women throughout Canada’s history.
Participants in this presentation will learn about women of impact in Canada both past and present.
Participants will answer Canadian citizenship questions during the presentation.
New Presentations for LINC Level 1-4
Celebrating Canada’s First Peoples
Participants will learn about the unique Indigenous peoples and nations across Canada.
Participants will answer Test Your Knowledge questions during the presentation.
The Importance of Water ~ Connecting the Drops
Participants will learn about the importance of water in their daily lives.
Participants will learn about water conservation tips for around the home.
Meet Our Wildlife Neighbours
Participants will learn how to identify the local wildlife in the Greater Toronto Area.
Participants will learn how to appropriately interact with the local wildlife in the Greater Toronto Area.
Seeds to Foods
Participants will learn what is a seed, shapes and types of seeds, conditions for seed growth, and more.
Participants will learn how important seeds are to humans, animals, and global biodiversity.
Waste Management
Participants will learn how waste (garbage, recycling, organics, household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and medical waste) is managed in their municipality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do presentations cost?
In-person and online presentations are free of charge. Presentation availability is based on regional funding.
How do I book an in-person presentation?
You can book an in-person presentation by email or phone. The in-person presentation will be arranged by MCP staff. Contact us to make a booking.
How do I book an online presentation?
You can book an in-person presentation by email or phone. The online presentation will be arranged by MCP staff and hosted on Zoom. Other media platforms are also available for presentation delivery. Contact us to make a booking.
How long is an in-person presentation?
An in-person presentation delivered to an ESL-LINC class is 2-2.5 hours, and includes the regular scheduled ESL-LINC classroom break.
How long is an online presentation?
An online presentation delivered to an online ESL-LINC class or newcomer audience is 90-minutes with no break.
An online presentation delivered to an in-person ESL-LINC class or classes is 2 hours with a 10-minute break.
Is there a limit to the number of participants?
- In-person:
Ideally, an in-person presentation is delivered to one ESL-LINC class in their classroom.
For multiple ESL-LINC class to participate in an in-person presentation, a suitable room is required that can accommodate all participants safely and comfortably. - Online:
There is a minimum of 10 participants per online presentation.
An online presentation can also be delivered to one class or multiple classes via a Smartboard in the classroom.
Contact us to learn more.
How do I know which dates and times are available?
Please contact the program coordinator for available dates and times.
What language levels can participate?
In-person and online presentations are designed to support adult students enrolled in ESL (English as a second language) and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) programs, with intermediate to advanced English language levels.
New presentations designed specifically to support LINC levels 1-4 are now available.
Presentations are not suitable for literacy language level classes.
Please consult with the program coordinator about the presentation content to ensure the perfect fit for your group.
Are there on-site requirements for in-person presentations?
For one ESL-LINC class, the classroom is suitable for presentation delivery.
For multiple classes, a boardroom or auditorium space that can safely and comfortably accommodate everyone is suitable for presentation delivery.
The presenter requires access to a Smartboard or projection system for presentation delivery, and a table for MCP equipment, materials, and props.
Please let the program coordinator know if the required presentation equipment is not available on-site during the booking process, so that other arrangements can be made.
How does one prepare for a MCP presentation?
Language teachers who have confirmed a presentation will receive a lesson plan with vocabulary and questions that can be reviewed with the students prior to presentation delivery.
Lesson plans also include additional resources that can be used for pre- and post-activities.
Group leaders who have confirmed a presentation for a community group / organization will receive a handout from the program coordinator that can be reviewed by the participants prior to presentation delivery. Hand-outs also include additional resources.
Please consult with the program coordinator about presentation content to ensure that English language learners and newcomer participants are properly prepared for the presentation delivery.
Beyond the Classroom
Outdoor recreational activity is important to newcomers in Canada. Being outdoors in nature can improve mental well-being, provide socializing, and present unique opportunities to learn about local plants and wildlife (flora and fauna).
Discovery Walks:
Discovery Walks are coordinated seasonally by MCP staff.
Newcomer participants will learn about connecting with nature beyond the classroom at a TRCA facility or local park.
Discovery Walk themes include local history, tree identification, wildflower identification, wildlife in the city, and more.
Contact us to learn more.
Newcomer Events:
Newcomer Events, hosted seasonally at TRCA facilities or local parks, offer newcomer participants the opportunity to learn about connecting with nature through outdoor activities.
Contact us to learn more.
Cultural and Faith-based Events:
If your organization is hosting a cultural or faith-based event, MCP staff may be available to attend with an interactive booth display.
Contact us to learn more.