GPLIP Council
The GPLIP Council will strive for diverse representation of members on it. This includes diverse sectors, geographic representation, diverse immigrant representation, and diverse opinions. Council will be made up of between 15 and 19 members representing a combination of immigrants, community sector representatives (health, education, social services, justice, ethno-cultural groups), employers/business, local funders, municipal and immigrant service providers.
Members on Council would be expected to connect with all their groups and circles of influence, both locally and beyond, to ensure they bring various perspectives to Council, and take information back to the community.
GPLIP Mission:
The GPLIP Council will provide strategic leadership to the Local Immigration Partnership in Grande Prairie. The Council is responsible for ensuring the Community Action Plan outcomes are achieved, championing the work of the Immigration Partnership, enabling system and strategic planning, advocacy, and governance of the Immigration Partnership. The overall objective of the Council is to promote shared awareness and leadership and create enabling environments for collective action.
GPLIP Council Members
| Member Name | GPLIP Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant | Chair | |
| Leah Holler | Past Chair | Women Building Futures |
| Maureen Edomwonyi | Vice Chair | GPIA - Grande Prairie Intercultural Association |
| Arnie Ramos | Council Member | GPCN - Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers |
| Beverley Lavender-Marsh | Council Member | Alberta Labour and Immigration |
| Candace Hrdicka | Council Member | RCMP - Crime Prevention |
| Cecilia Mzvondiwa | Council Member | AHS - Talent Development - HR |
| Darrell Wiens | Council Member | GPCLL - Centre for Lifelong Learning |
| Donat Mpunga | Council Member | GPCN – Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers |
| Dounia Lahroud | Council Member | Alberta Health Services |
| Helen MacDonald | Council Member | St. Joseph Refugee Committee |
| Laurie Nirwal Singh | Council Member | Bengtsson Immigration Consulting |
| Michelle Margarit | Council Member | ACFA – Alberta Francophone Assoc. |
| Paul Rovin | Council Member | CPDCI - Canada in Progress |
| Pauline Ruel-Wyant | Council Member | Catholic School Board |
| Samina Smith | Council Member | IAT Chair |
| Yad Minhas | Council Member | Grande Prairie City Council |
| Dianna Wright | Council Member | GPLIP Coordinator |
Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT)
The IAT is working group solely made up of immigrants who are representative of the Grande Prairie community. Since integration is a two-way process that encourages adjustments on the part of both immigrants and the host Canadian society, it is important to engage immigrants to learn first-hand of the successes and challenges that they face when they arrive in Canada. Ultimately, the goal is to support them to become fully engage in economic, social, political and cultural life of Canada.
IAT Members
| Member Name | IAT Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Samina Smith | Chair | VSB- Volunteer Services Bureau |
| Conor Coney | Vice Chair | City of Grande Prairie |
| Virginia Tang | IAT Member | Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant |
| George Sarkodie | IAT Member | CLL- Centre for Life Long Learning |
| Rachel Nyransengiman | IAT Member | GPCN- Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers |
| Arnie Ramos | IAT Member | GPCN- Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers |
| Mieke Degroot | IAT Member | Alberta Spinal Cord Injury |
| Mieke Degroot | IAT Member | CPDCI - Canada in Progress |
| Alexandra Ehrle | IAT Member | Operational Worker City of Grande Prairie |
| Alia Eltayeb | IAT Member | Private Community Member |