Who we are

The Metropolis Institute

The Metropolis Institute is Canada’s premier independent think tank specializing in migration, integration, and inclusion. Through research, policy dialogue, and knowledge mobilization, it supports evidence-based understanding of immigration and newcomer experiences in Canada, North America, and across Francophone countries. Its work uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine immigrant integration, settlement, social determinants of health, intersecting identities, diversity, citizenship, and national belonging. 

The Metropolis Institute also provides major platforms and services that connect research, policy, and practice. These include national and international conferences; the bilingual publication Canadian Diversity; the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion; program evaluation and impact measurement services for the settlement and non-profit sectors; and uMetropolis, an online learning platform offering practical, multimedia courses for professionals working in immigration, settlement, and inclusion. 

Metropolis Conferences

Recognized nationally for the Metropolis Canada conference, the largest annual conference on immigration and settlement in Canada, the Metropolis Institute is recognized for its track record of connecting researchers, policy makers, and representatives of prominent advocacy and non-profit organizations to foster conversation on emerging issues. It collaborates with these groups to help inform policy on key topics such as migration, identity, integration, and inclusion.

About Metropolis Events

Metropolis Canada

The National Metropolis Canada Conference is the largest annual gathering of researchers, policy makers, and representatives from community and settlement organizations working in the field of immigration and settlement in Canada.

The event connects over 1,000 delegates from across the country every March to discuss emerging issues, exchange latest data and study results, share lessons learned, identify and set research priorities, and inform policy regarding immigration, refugees, settlement and integration in Canada. Through plenary panels featuring distinguished speakers, workshop and roundtable sessions, and poster presentations, Metropolis Canada examines how immigration policies and systems can respond to Canada’s evolving social, economic, demographic, and humanitarian realities.

Recurring topics include:

• Effective allocation of resources and implementation of policies and programs to ensure successful newcomer settlement and integration
• Changes in immigration levels, migration patterns, and policy targets 
• Evolving public perspective and narratives on immigration
• Aligning policies and practices with economic, social and humanitarian goals
• Shaping a sustainable, effective and inclusive immigration system
• Strengthening collaboration and coordination among policymakers, settlement service providers, and researchers in migration planning
• Promoting meaningful inclusion of the voices and perspectives of newcomers in decision-making processes

Metropolis Identities

The annual Metropolis Identities Summit welcomes up to 500 delegates from across the country who join to take part in the conversation about identity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada. The conference aims to foster collaboration and advance research to advance understanding of identity, integration, immigration, and the social changes shaping Canada.

Metropolis Identities examines:

• The roles and responsibilities of the key actors and stakeholders who oversee migration and shape the conversation on diversity and identity in Canada
• The societal changes brought about and amplified by migration to and within the country, including its broader impacts on Canadian institutions and communities 
• The evolution of discrimination and prejudice in Canada, as well as the measures being taken to push back against them
• The meaning and the place multiculturalism and interculturalism in Canada, and how immigrants and diversity in continue to shape who we are as Canadians

Metropolis Francophonie Mondiale

Metropolis Francophonie examines the economic, social, political, cultural, and linguistic impacts of migration to, from, and through Francophone nations. This event convenes researchers, policy makers, civil society organizations, and international institutions originating from or affiliated with Francophone countries to discuss shared challenges and opportunities across the Francophone world. It also offers a space to explore how dialogue and knowledge sharing can improve understanding, strengthen collaboration, and support more effective approaches to migration, integration and settlement across the Francophone space.

Metropolis North America

Metropolis North America is a multidisciplinary forum gathering researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of immigration and settlement from across North America to advance multilateral conversation on migration issues. It aims to create a space to identify shared challenges, exchange knowledge and data, and explore potential avenues for collaboration in response to evolving migration realities.

Over the many iterations of Metropolis North America, discussions have addressed issues such as migration and border management, refugee admission, migrant rights, settlement and integration, public attitudes toward immigration, and changing migration patterns.