Monday, April 27, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – Newcomers to the region are invited to learn more about the Halifax Regional Municipality and gain a better understanding of how municipal government works at a free public session this Thursday, April 30.

This is the first time the municipality has offered welcome workshops and information booths for newcomers. Attendees will learn about opportunities to be a civic volunteer, as well as the programs and services, including solid waste, that the municipality provides them as residents of the Halifax region.

The session begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd., and will run until about noon. The municipality will provide interpretive services in several languages, as well as free childcare for individuals and families in attendance.

Several Halifax Transit bus routes provide service to the new library, including routes 1, 10, 14, 20, 21, 23, 53, 59, 68, 80 and 81. For individual schedules and route maps, please visit Halifax Transit’s web page.

Every year more than 2,000 new immigrants from around the world migrate to the Halifax region. Newcomers help build vibrant neighbourhoods, and a welcoming community plays a big part in helping new residents build a life here. Everyone has a role to play in creating welcoming and inclusive communities. For more information on how you can welcome your new neighbours, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/newcomers/Documents/WelcomingNewcomers.pdf.

Additional resources and information for newcomers are available on the municipal government website at http://www.halifax.ca/newcomers/index.php.

Source: Release