By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Chatham‑Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) celebrated CK Welcome Week 2026 from September 9 to 20, highlighting the municipality’s cultural diversity, the contributions of newcomers and immigrants, and Chatham‑Kent’s designation as Canada’s first official Welcoming Community in 2016.
“CK Welcome Week is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that strengthens Chatham‑Kent and to recognize the many individuals and organizations working together to foster belonging for newcomers,” said Naty Ramirez Reyes, CK LIP Council Co‑Chair and Executive Lead, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti‑Racism (EDIA‑R) at Chatham‑Kent Health Alliance. “Creating a welcoming community helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and feel connected.”
The week began with a flag‑raising ceremony at the Civic Centre on September 9. Events throughout the week connected newcomers with services across the municipality and promoted diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Mohsin Abbas, Co‑Chair of the CK LIP Immigrant Advisory Group and a member of the Tilbury Business Improvement Association, congratulated communities across Chatham‑Kent for supporting the celebration.
“This event brings communities closer,” he said.
“It’s time for immigrant communities to take an active part in assimilating into Canada to help move the country forward. Immigrants can play a great role, and Chatham‑Kent is a great place with a lot of potential.”
The closing event, CK Welcomes: A Community Showcase, took place September 20 in Kingston Park and featured cultural performances, local organizations and opportunities for residents to learn how to get involved in community initiatives.
Christine Long, project coordinator for CK LIP, said the showcase reflected the spirit of the week. “The afternoon featured local organizations, cultural performances and opportunities to get involved in Chatham‑Kent,” she said. “It highlights what makes Chatham‑Kent a great place to call home. Thank you to all partners and community members for continuing to support a successful CK Welcome Week.”
A full schedule of CK Welcome Week events is available at www.chatham-kent.ca/CKWelcomeWeek. Residents can view highlights on Facebook at ChathamKentLIP and share experiences using #CKWelcomeWeek and #CKWelcomeWeek2026. To get involved, CK LIP can be reached at cklip@chatham-kent.ca.
The Chatham‑Kent Local Immigration Partnership is a network of more than 40 local and regional organizations that collaborate on settlement strategies and coordinated approaches to newcomer integration. The Municipality of Chatham‑Kent is the agreement holder for CK LIP, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).