Bay of Quinte Immigration logo has the words Bay of Quinte Immigration in black stacked to the left and a blue wavy line indicating water on the right.

Bay of Quinte Immigration Stories

Newcomer Stories

Get to know many different newcomers and learn about their personal experiences immigrating to this region, what resources and services they used, challenges they overcame or what they like about life in Canada. 

Have a story to tell? Email [email protected]

  • Filter Stories by Community
A group of people standing in a row facing the camera.

Subia Mahmood: Pakistan

When Subia Mahmood arrived in Belleville from Pakistan, she was full of questions. “For newcomers, the initial period of transition from their home country to Canada can be full of...
Read More
A photo of a person sitting on a wood stump in front of a bunch of pumpkins.

Yuliia Bondar: Ukraine

Yuliia Bondar and her family moved to Canada from Ukraine in 2022. When they arrived in their new country, QUIS was there to ease their transition. “QUIS provided me with...
Read More
A photo of a group of nine people some sitting and some standing behind with decorated Christmas trees around them.

Tony Van: An Entrepreneurial Story

If you are looking for VIP service, check out VIP Nails in Belleville! This salon, known for its friendly staff and professional work is owned by Tony Van, a Canadian...
Read More
A photo of a person in a white dress with embroidery detail around the neckline and cuffs standing beside a painting.

Emebet Belete: Ethiopia

Emebet Belete is from Ethiopia and has lived in Canada for 22 years, six of them here in the Bay of Quinte. Her husband’s job brought their family to the...
Read More
A person in metal framed glasses looking up through another pair of glasses they are holding in the air.

Alain Kechichian: Lebanon

Alain Kechichian is from Lebanon and has lived in the Bay of Quinte region for 20 years. He came here for work and met the love of his life. He...
Read More
A veterinarian standing in a dark room holding a brown Labrador retriever.

Dr. Jinni Demine: Russia

Dr. Jinni Demine is from Russia and has lived in Canada for 22 years, 17 of them in the Bay of Quinte region. She is a veterinarian and the owner...
Read More
A person holding a bunch of large fireworks in both arms with a lit match in their teeth.

Mark Phillips: Jamaica

Mark Phillips is from Jamaica and has lived in Canada for 40 years, sixteen of them in the Bay of Quinte region. He is the owner of Mystical Distributing Company...
Read More
A photo of a person sitting in front of an easel with markers in their hand.

Blas Villagomez: Bolivia

Blas Villagomez is from Bolivia and has lived in Canada for three years, all of them here, in the Bay of Quinte region. He is a visual artist and illustrator...
Read More
A photo of a person with short brown hair in a white shirt and tie.

Sukhan Bains: India

Sukhan Bains is an accountant who left India in 2001 and moved to Bancroft in Hastings County, where his cousin was already living. He had originally planned to move out...
Read More
A photo of a person looking into the camera sitting in an office with windows behind them.

Paul Tobias: Philippines

Paul Tobias visited Prince Edward County with his wife Mel and knew it was a place where he wanted to move and raise his family. His business, Idle Wild PEC...
Read More
A photo of two people about to speak and looking into the camera.

Littlejohn Farm: Agriculture & Culinary Experiences in PEC

Luhana Littlejohn, originally from Brazil, and her husband Zach bought a farm in rural Prince Edward County, where they offer sustainable agriculture and culinary experiences. Their goal is to connect...
Read More
A black and white photo of a person in a winter jacket holding a to go cup of coffee standing in front of a wall with squiggly lines on it.

Nick Empson: United Kingdom

Nick Empson first came to Canada in February of 2012. Nick was living in the UK, working for a company that had locations in both the UK and Canada. After...
Read More

To translate this website, copy the URL and click here.

Bay of Quinte Immigration logo has the words Bay of Quinte Immigration in white stacked to the left and a blue wavy line indicating water on the right.

Welcome to Bay of Quinte Immigration. We are here to help newcomers to Canada learn about life in Southeastern Ontario. From geography and job opportunities to the local lifestyle, we’ve got you covered. Your go-to resource for finding your new home in Canada.

This page is managed by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board. For more information visit bayofquinte.ca

The Bay of Quinte Region is situated on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Mississauga, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee Indigenous Peoples including the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) with whom we work in direct partnership. To learn more about the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory click here.

©2024 Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board
Site Developed By: SNAP 360

Quinte Immigration Services logo that has those words and a curved row of outlined people figures above in blue.
Quinte Local Immigration Partnership Logo with those words plus tagline ...a better community for everyone.
The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board logo with those words and icons above. A tractor, lighthouse, plane, city hall, feather headdress, snowshoes and ferry boat.
Bay of Quinte Immigration logo has the words Bay of Quinte Immigration in black stacked to the left and a blue wavy line indicating water on the right.

Site Search
An aerial photo of the Trent Port Marina and surrounding water with rows of docks and boats.

QW:
Quinte West is located on the Bay of Quinte at the mouth of the Trent River, serving as the gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway which connects Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. Boating, fishing and other watersport activities are very popular here. This community has a mix of urban and rural living, with an abundance of opportunities to get outdoors and active in the parks and green spaces.

Learn More