The Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with the interim Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council, celebrated the launch of the Durham Community Immigration Portal—www.durhamimmigration.ca—an integrated web-based resource to attract, welcome and support new immigrants and businesses to the region. This project was made possible with a funding contribution of $535,600 from the Ontario and federal governments. This funding is part of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to support municipalities in attracting newcomers and helping them settle in their communities.

Canadian homebuilders remain cautiously optimistic about the year ahead as they put 2009 behind them and shovels in the ground for new developments across the country in 2010.  That’s the national view at home in Durham Region from Victor Fiume, General Manager of Durham Custom Homes, who assumed the presidency of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) at a ceremony in Victoria early in March 2010. Assuming leadership of the Canadian Home Builders Association, while prestigious, is just the latest honour bestowed on the affable Mr. Fiume and Durham Custom Homes. Earlier this year, he was given an EnergQuality Hall of Fame Award for his advocacy of sustainable building practices and he’s a past-president of the Durham Region Home Builders Association and the Ontario Home Builders Association.