Two days ago, I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Richmond Local Immigration Partnership (RLIP), an initiative led by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. that brings together organizations across our city who share a common hope: that newcomers to Richmond will not only arrive safely, but truly find a home here.

I left the meeting with a deep sense of gratitude. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has taken on the important work of convening partners from many sectors—non‑profits, faith communities, service providers, educators, and civic leaders—so that we can think together about what immigrant integration really requires. Their leadership creates a space where collaboration is not just possible but natural, where we can listen to one another, share what we see on the ground, and discern how to support newcomers with dignity and care. I am honoured to be part of this partnership.

I will not enter into debates about federal immigration or refugee policy. What I do want to name is something much simpler and more human: if we welcome people into our country, then we also carry a responsibility to help them settle, find employment, and feel that they belong. Without that support, the challenges only grow—socially, economically, and emotionally. But when we accompany newcomers well, when we help them navigate systems, build relationships, and discover their gifts, the entire community benefits. New immigrants bring energy, skills, culture, and perspective that enrich our shared life in countless ways.

Sitting around the RLIP table, I was reminded again that integration is not a task for one agency or one sector. It is a communal effort. It requires patience, imagination, and a willingness to see newcomers not as problems to be solved but as neighbours to be welcomed. Richmond has always been shaped by waves of migration, and our future will be no different. The question is whether we will meet that future with fear or with generosity.

I am grateful to be part of a group choosing generosity. And I look forward to continuing this work—slowly, faithfully, and together.