A key highlight for the BCIS office in April was a Census Informational Session delivered in collaboration with the City of Brooks. The session was led by Robyn Klassen, Inclusion Coordinator for the City of Brooks, and Amanda Goodnough, MSW, RSW.
More than 25 clients attended, representing Amharic, Spanish, Somali, Arabic, and Afar-speaking communities in Brooks. The session provided participants with first-hand information about what to expect from the upcoming Census and how to prepare for May 12.
Many attendees were newcomers who had not previously experienced the Census process in Canada. As a result, they brought a range of questions, assumptions, and misconceptions. The two-hour session included a detailed presentation followed by an open discussion, during which participants shared experiences from their home countries, compared processes, and asked thoughtful questions.
Participants were guided through the application forms and received clear, step-by-step instructions. Interpretation in Arabic, Somali, and Spanish was provided by BCIS counselors Abdullah Oweir, Mohamed Sayid, and Diana Sanchez, ensuring that clients with lower English proficiency could fully understand the information and actively participate in the discussion.
Overall, the session was highly engaging and informative, helping participants build confidence and awareness of the Census’s importance and how to complete it successfully.
