Pour obtenir des renseignements sur la CdP SEBAA en français, cliquez ici.
The information provided on this page is current as of May 27th, 2026. NET LIP cannot guarantee accuracy or currency of the information provided.
About the NAARS Communities of Practice (CoPs)
The Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services (NAARS) Communities of Practice (CoP) are collaborative networks of organizations working together to strengthen how newcomers access settlement and community services across Ontario and Canada.
The CoPs are part of IRCC’s broader NAARS Transformation Initiative, which aims to improve consistency, coordination, and client experience in newcomer settlement and referral services by:
- Implementing a National Standardized Assessment Template (NSAT) including a GARs template,
- Establishing a NAARS National Advisory Table (NAT),
- Standardizing portable settlement plans,
- Establishing of Communities of Practice (CoPs), and
- Transitioning to a Dedicated NAARS Service Provider (DNS) model.
The formation of CoPs is mandated by IRCC but led by the community. Specifically, IRCC-funded NAARS Recipients in a geographic zone convene to form the CoP, designate a lead Recipient to coordinate and administer the CoP, and agree on zone boundaries (CoPs propose/validate draft zones; IRCC provides guidance and feedback). The lead Recipient organizes meetings, sets agendas with CoP members, develops priorities, and shares resources.
IRCC maintains an arm’s-length but active presence in CoPs by providing the framework and guidance for CoPs: it leads consultations, offers principles/feedback and strategic advice on zones/DNS plans, participates (without setting agendas), supports activities and info-sharing via the NAT, helps map service providers, clarifies expectations/reporting and timing, and ensures Official Languages compliance.
About The Dedicated NAARS Service Provider (DNS) Model
What is a DNS?
- DNS is a single independent Recipient providing NAARS (and language assessments) in a zone to act as an impartial intermediary for referrals to IRCC-funded and non-IRCC services.
What is the DNS role?
- DNS role is to ensure fair, eligible, needs-based referrals and refer to neighboring zones or online providers if local services are unavailable
When will the DNS model be implemented?
- DNS models may be ready by the next funding cycle, with early transitions possible subject to regional approval.
The North East Toronto NAARS CoP
The North East Toronto NAARS CoP is convened by the North East Toronto Local Immigration Partnership and brings together a wide range of partners who support newcomer settlement journeys in North York and Scarborough.
Participants include NAARS service providers, other IRCC funded settlement and language service providers, agencies with provincially funded settlement programming, Francophone organizations, Toronto representative from Le Réseau en Immigration francophone Centre-Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario (RIFSCO), resettlement and language service providers, as well as organizations from the health, education, employment, social service, and community sectors.
The purpose of the North East Toronto NAARS CoP (NET NAARS CoP) is to achieve the following within the designated service delivery zone:
- Improve access to NAARS and related settlement services,
- Determine consistent local NAARS methods,
- Strengthen collaboration and coordination across sectors,
- Share knowledge, resources, and promising practices,
- Support equitable and client-centred referrals,
- Enhance newcomer experiences through more connected service systems,
- Ensure portability of settlement plans by developing and signing MOUs,
- Plan and transition to DNS by establishing a DNS working group and nominating a DNS for the service delivery zone
BACKGROUND
The NAARS CoP for North East Toronto met on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:30 PM in a hybrid format at Fairview Library and via Zoom. Attendees included IRCC-funded and non‑IRCC partner organizations with interpretation provided in English, French and ASL. The key purpose of the meeting was to inform the Community of Practice vote to select a lead.
At this meeting, the NET LIP presented its self‑nomination to serve as CoP lead. The CoP agreed an anonymous voting process setting quorum at 50% plus one of eligible organizations and an endorsement threshold of 80% of votes cast. For full meeting minutes click here.
Following the meeting, 76% of the eligible organization cast their vote through a secure anonymous online voting platform and 100% of those who voted endorsed NET LIP to be the lead of the NAARS CoP. The results of the vote were announced via email to CoP members on March 9th, 2026.
What Is Coming Up?
Currently, 4 meetings of the NET NAARS CoP are planned at quarterly intervals in 2026-2027 starting in June 2026.
How To Get Involved
If your organization is interested in participating in the North East Toronto NAARS CoP, please reach out to Srna at North East Toronto LIP at srna@torontonorthlip.ca.