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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do presentations cost?
In-person and online presentations are free of charge.
How do I book an in-person presentation?
You can book your 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 your in-person presentation by email or phone. You can book your online presentation by email or phone. The online presentation will be arranged by MCP staff using Zoom. Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are also available for presentation delivery. Contact us to make a booking.
How long is an in-person presentation?
An in-person presentation requires 2 to 2.5 hours to include scheduled ESL-LINC classroom breaks.
How long is an online presentation?
An online presentation is 90 minutes in length.
Is there a limit to the number of participants?
- In-person: In-person presentations are only delivered to one class per presentation. Teachers are expected to attend the in-person presentation with their ESL-LINC class.
- Online: There is a minimum of 10 participants per online presentation. Teachers/group leaders are expected to attend the online presentation with their ESL-LINC class or newcomer group. An online presentation can also be delivered to a class or multiple classes via a Smartboard.
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 typically 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 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels 1-4 and will be introduced for the Fall of 2025!
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?
A large classroom, boardroom, or auditorium space that can comfortably and safely accommodate all participants is ideal for the in-person 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.
What should we do as a class to prepare?
Language teachers who have confirmed a booking will receive a lesson plan from the program coordinator. Reviewing the vocabulary and questions in the lesson plan is an essential part of the preparation for the presentation.
What will participants learn?
Participants will learn about local history, Canadian citizenship preparation, local environmental issues, and the importance of conservation and conservation actions at home and in their community.
Are there follow-up activities?
Resources will be provided in the lesson plan which the teacher can share and review with students.
Can newcomer & faith-based groups book presentations?
Yes. Please contact the program coordinator for more information, as requirements are different than for ESL-LINC classes.
Beyond the Classroom
Outdoor recreational activity is important to newcomers in Canada to enhance their mental well-being and provide socializing.
Discovery Walks:
Discovery Walks are coordinated seasonally by MCP staff. ESL-LINC 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 participants the opportunity to learn about connecting with nature through outdoor programming.
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.