Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has designed a range of programs for new Canadians, including education for post-secondary students, bridge training for environmental professionals, and opportunities for newcomers to discover and explore their local natural environment.
Multicultural Connections Program
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Multicultural Connections Program (MCP) helps introduce new Canadians to their local natural environment.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) regrettably announces that changes have been made to programming and activities offered through the Multicultural Connections Program (MCP) to proactively protect staff and newcomers from the potential risk of contracting COVID-19.
All in-classroom presentations, transportation subsidies and field trips are cancelled until further notice.
Online presentations are available for English as a Second Language (ESL), Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), and newcomer audiences.
ONLINE PRESENTATIONS
The Multicultural Connections Program’s online presentations are free of charge. The costs are covered through the generous support of our regional funding partners.
To book an online presentation, please contact:
Toronto, Region of Peel and York Region:
Lisa Ward,
Coordinator, Multicultural Program
416-661-6600 ext. 5854
lisa.ward@trca.ca
To learn more about TRCA presentations, please check out our FAQs.
Online Presentations Available:
| Indigenous People in Canada
Participants will learn about the various Indigenous peoples and nations across Canada prior to European contact. Participants will answer Canadian Citizenship questions linked to the information presented 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 and unknown Black people in Canada. Participants will answer Canadian Citizenship questions linked to the information presented during the presentation. |
| Pollinators in the Garden
Participants will learn about the importance of pollinators in their daily lives, and how to identify native pollinators and their nesting habitats. Participants will learn about friendly pollinator practices for the seasons. Participants will answer true or false questions linked to the information presented 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 The Meadoway, a vibrant 16-kilometre stretch of restored urban meadowlands in Toronto. Participants will answer Canadian Citizenship questions focusing on Canadian history, geography and symbols during the presentation. |
| Solid Waste Management
Participants will learn how solid waste (garbage, recycling, organics, household hazardous waste and electronic waste) is managed in their municipality. |
| 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 people of Canada. Participants will answer Canadian Citizenship questions linked to the information presented during the presentation. The Indigenous People in Canada presentation is recommended as a prerequisite for this 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 linked to the information presented 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 true or false and multiple-choice questions linked to the information presented during the presentation. |
| Women of Impact in Canada
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. Women’s History Month includes International Day of the Girl on October 11 and Persons Day on October 18. Participants will learn about legendary and unknown women of impact in Canada both past and present. Participants will answer Canadian Citizenship questions linked to the information presented during the presentation. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What do the online presentations cost
The online presentations are free of charge.
2. How do I book an online presentation?
You can book your online presentation by email or phone.
The online presentation will be arranged by MCP staff using Zoom.
Contact us.
3. How long are the presentations?
An online presentation is 90 minutes / 1.5 hours in length.
4. Is there a limit as to how many students / participants can participate at once?
There is a maximum of 30 students / participants per online presentation to allow for interactions between the presenter and the audience.
Teachers / group leaders are expected to attend the online presentation with their ESL-LINC class or newcomer group.
5. How do I know which dates and times are available to book presentations?
Please contact the program coordinator for available dates and times. Contact us.
6. What language levels can participate in the program?
The online presentations are designed for adult students with an intermediate to advance English language level. The online presentations are not suitable for literacy and lower language level classes. Ask the program coordinator about the presentation content before you book.
7. What should we do as a class to prepare for the online presentation?
Language teachers who have confirmed a booking will receive a lesson plan prior to the online presentation from the program coordinator. Reviewing the vocabulary and questions in the lesson plan is an essential part of the preparation.
8. What will participants learn during the online presentation?
Participants will be learning about local history, Canadian Citizenship preparation, local environmental issues, and the importance of conservation and conservation actions at home and in their community.
9. Are there any follow up activities after the presentations?
Resources are provided in the lesson plan which the teacher can share and review with the students.
PAIE Bridge Training Program
Professional Access into Employment (PAIE) is an innovative bridge training program designed to help internationally-trained environmental professionals launch their careers in Engineering, Geoscience, Environmental Science and Planning here in Canada.
The one-year PAIE program equips participants with an understanding of the local labour market, and supports them as they seek to secure employment and gain the Canadian experience required for professional licensing and certification.
PAIE offers participants:
- Unlimited employment and job search coaching.
- Over 150 hours of professions-specific and soft skills training.
- Access to a mentor in their field.
- Post-hire and retention support from staff.
