The 2019 International Metropolis Conference took place from June 24-28 in Ottawa and Gatineau, Canada – and as of 2026, it remains one of the most cited benchmarks in migration policy dialogue. Hosted by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (now Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), the event brought together more than 1,000 delegates from academia, government, and civil society across 60+ countries. In the years since, the conversations sparked at this gathering have shaped national frameworks on refugee integration, economic migration, and cross-border cooperation.
Looking back from 2026, the conference’s core themes – inclusion, economic growth, and global cooperation – feel more urgent than ever, as global displacement has reached approximately 117 million people (UNHCR, 2024) and international migration continues to reshape cities, labour markets, and communities worldwide. The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCASI) and partner agencies played a vital role in connecting the academic program to on-the-ground realities in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This retrospective review highlights the key outcomes of the 2019 Metropolis gathering and contextualizes them within the evolving global migration landscape of 2025-2026.
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Key Aspects of the Conference
The Metropolis Conference’s central theme was “The Promise of Migration: Inclusion, Economic Growth, and Global Cooperation.” This framing positioned migration not as a burden but as a driver of prosperity – a perspective that has since gained broader acceptance in OECD policy circles. The event attracted over 1,000 participants, including university researchers, government officials from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and community organizations such as the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization. The International Metropolis platform enabled dialogue across disciplines rarely found in a single venue.
Conference & Migration Statistics
| Metric | 2019 Conference | Global Migration Context (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Attendees | 1,000+ | – |
| Countries Represented | 60+ | – |
| Sessions & Workshops | 100+ | – |
| International migrants globally | – | ~281 million (IOM, 2024) |
| Refugees & displaced persons | – | ~117 million (UNHCR, 2024) |
| Economic contribution of immigrants (Canada) | – | ~$1 in $5 of GDP |
Program and Theme of the Ottawa Conference
The congrès métropolis / Metropolis conference program spanned five days and covered an ambitious range of current migration topics. From policy panels to research presentations, the agenda addressed how countries work together on migration governance, how immigration affects economic output, and how emerging technology is transforming mobility patterns.
The International Metropolis Conference format – blending plenary sessions, workshops, and study tours – has since become a model replicated by events like the 2024 Kuala Lumpur gathering. Participants examined how immigration can foster economic growth, promote social inclusion, and strengthen multilateral cooperation, offering insights relevant to the Metropolis Canada network and beyond.
Pre-Conference Activities
Workshops and Seminars
Before the main conference, a workshop called Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) focused on measuring newcomer settlement outcomes – a methodology that has since been refined and adopted by multiple Canadian provinces. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada also held a dedicated workshop to explain recent policy reforms in Canada’s migration management framework, giving practitioners direct access to federal updates. For those seeking official support, the CIC immigration contact number and online portals remained key touchpoints for both delegates and the broader immigrant community.
PhD Workshop
Young researchers had the opportunity to engage with immigration datasets and learn how to translate academic findings into accessible insights for policymakers and the public. This pipeline between university research and real-world application remains a hallmark of the Metropolis model, and alumni of the 2019 PhD workshop have since contributed to national immigration reviews in Canada, Germany, and Australia.
Schedule and Structure
Each day of the Metropolis Conference offered a dense program of keynote addresses, plenary discussions, and breakout workshops, supplemented by cultural events, receptions, and guided tours. This blend of intellectual rigor and experiential programming has become a defining feature of international Metropolis events globally. The Shaw Centre in Ottawa served as the primary venue, with satellite activities extending into Gatineau, including visits to Gatineau City Hall and surrounding community hubs.
Plenary Sessions
- The plenary sessions at the International Metropolis Conference 2019 offered substantive engagement with the most pressing issues in global migration. Key sessions included:
- Global Governance and Compacts: Examined how the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration – adopted just months earlier in December 2018 – could reshape multilateral migration governance.
- South-South Migration: Focused on migration between developing countries, a growing but often underreported dimension of global mobility.
- The Economic Impact of Immigration: Explored immigration’s contribution to host-country GDP, labour markets, and innovation, with Canadian case studies featuring data from Immigration internationale flows.
- Non-State Actors in Migration: Examined the expanding role of NGOs, the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation, and private-sector partners in migration management – a topic increasingly relevant as governments partner with civil society.
- The Effects of Technology on Migration: Addressed how digital platforms, AI screening tools, and biometric systems were reshaping the migration journey – themes that became central to the 2024 Kuala Lumpur conference’s focus on ‘Migration Futures: Evolving Challenges in a Digital Age.
Keynote Speakers
The Metropolis Conference featured government officials, international migration scholars, and civil society leaders as keynote speakers. Among the confirmed speakers, Associate Keith Neuman delivered insights on public attitudes toward immigration. Director Debbie Douglas of OCASI participated in the plenary session on Cities and Migration, and Ekra served as organizer, moderator, and panelist at the session on Negotiating Identities in Canada: Being Francophone in a Transnational and Bilingual Context. These contributions underscore the breadth of expertise that defines the métropolis gathering model.
Study Tours and Cultural Activities
Study Tours
Conference delegates participated in guided tours of Ottawa and Gatineau that illustrated how local organizations support newcomer integration. Organized in partnership with Capital Cruises Ottawa and heritage institutions, these tours offered a firsthand view of Canada’s settlement ecosystem. Key destinations included:
- A bus tour with Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP) and Heritage Ottawa
- A visit to Jewish Family Services of Ottawa
- A tour of Villa Marconi
- A visit to Tungasuvvingat Inuit, an Inuit community organization
These tours gave people a chance to see firsthand how communities support newcomers.
Cultural Activities
Beyond the academic programming, the Metropolis conference offered cultural experiences that celebrated Ottawa-Gatineau’s diversity. These included a welcome reception, a ceremony led by Aboriginal peoples, and a special evening at the Canadian Museum of History. Such programming reflects the ethos shared by organizations like Puro Canada and Project TV 24, which document and celebrate immigrant contributions to Canadian culture.
Workshops and Thematic Sessions
Smaller working groups at the metropolis conference allowed deep dives into specific topics:
- Best ways to help immigrants integrate
- How migration can help grow the economy
- How to help refugees
- Building public trust in migration
These sessions allowed people to dig deep into specific topics and share new ideas.
Many workshops encouraged people to participate actively, not just listen. Attendees could share their own experiences and explore new ideas together. This approach helped people learn from each other and think of practical solutions.
Organizational and Logistical Information
The Metropolis conference was coordinated by a team led by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, with support from a wide network of sponsors and community partners. Travel discounts were provided by Air Canada (15% off) and VIA Rail (10% off) to facilitate attendance. International delegates were reminded to verify visa requirements well in advance – a process managed through immigration internationale portals and the CIC immigration contact number. The Shaw Centre served as the main venue, with discounted accommodation options ranging from university residences to downtown hotels. Given Ottawa’s summer tourism peak, early booking was strongly advised.
About the International Metropolis Conferences
The International Metropolis Conferences are the world’s foremost annual gatherings on migration, integration, and diversity. Since 1996, the congrès métropolis has convened researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe to exchange ideas and chart new directions. Each Metropolis Canada-linked event combines plenaries, hands-on workshops, study tours, and cultural programming – creating conditions for both intellectual exchange and lasting professional networks.
All Past Conferences
The International Metropolis Conferences have traveled the world, with each event bringing fresh perspectives on migration from different corners of the globe. Here’s a look at some of the recent stops:
| Year | Location | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Migration Futures: Evolving Challenges in a Digital Age (upcoming event). |
| 2023 | Washington, DC, USA | Explored how migration patterns have shifted in the post-pandemic world. |
| 2022 | Berlin, Germany | Continued the discussion on the changing dynamics of global migration. |
| 2019 | Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada | Focused on the positive power of migration with the theme “The Promise of Migration: Inclusion, Economic Growth, and Global Cooperation.” |
| 2018 | Sydney, Australia | Tackled the challenges of migration and diversity during turbulent times. |
| 2017 | The Hague, Netherlands | Delved into the role of global justice in shaping migration policies. |
| 2016 | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan | Highlighted the importance of building trust in migration and integration processes. |
| 2015 | Mexico City, Mexico | Migration: Key Players in the 21st Century. |
| 2014 | Milan, Italy | Migration, Energy, and Wealth. |
| 2013 | Tampere, Finland | The Global Economic and Financial Environment. |
| 2012 | Auckland, New Zealand | Pathways to Metropolis in the 21st Century. |
| 2011 | Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal | Migration Futures: Perspectives on Global Changes. |
| 2010 | The Hague, Netherlands | Justice and Migration: Paradoxes of Belonging. |
| 2009 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Migration and Mobility: National Responses to Cultural Diversity. |
| 2008 | Bonn, Germany | Mobility, Integration, and Development in a Globalized World. |
| 2007 | Melbourne, Australia | Migration, Economic Growth, and Social Cohesion. |
| 2006 | Lisbon, Portugal | Paths & Crossroads: Moving People, Changing Places. |
| 2005 | Toronto, Canada | Our Diverse Cities: Migration, Diversity, and Change. |
| 2004 | Geneva, Switzerland | Co-operative Migration Management: International, National and Local Answers. |
| 2003 | Vienna, Austria | Gaining from Migration: A Global Perspective on Opportunities for Economic and Social Prosperity. |
| 2002 | Oslo, Norway | Togetherness in Difference. |
| 2001 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Migration policies, Citizenship, Equality and Diversity, Local Integration Policies, Migration and the Cultural Transformation of Cities. |
| 2000 | Vancouver, Canada | Building Social, Cultural, and Economic Capital: The Case for Migration. |
| 1999 | Washington DC, USA | Building Community: Civil Society and Citizenship. |
| 1998 | Zichron, Ya’acov, Israel | Immigration, Integration, and Ethno-Racial Diversity. |
| 1997 | Copenhagen, Denmark | (Event theme not listed). |
| 1996 | Milan, Italy | Urban Economic Restructuring, Social Integration, Demographics and Social Cohesion, Diversity Management. |
Looking Ahead: 2024-2026
The 27th International Metropolis Conference was held November 14-17, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – marking the first time the metropolis conference traveled to Southeast Asia. Hosted by the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) at the National University of Malaysia, it explored the theme ‘Migration Futures: Evolving Challenges in a Digital Age,’ with deep dives into how Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things are reshaping migration and integration processes.
As of March 2026, preparations for the next international Metropolis gathering are underway, with details expected to be announced via the official Metropolis Canada channels. The legacy of Ottawa 2019 – its emphasis on cross-sector collaboration, community-level evidence, and the positive framing of migration – continues to inform how the Metropolis platform approaches these evolving challenges.
Viewed from 2026, the 2019 International Metropolis Conference in Ottawa-Gatineau stands as a pivotal moment in global migration discourse. It arrived at a critical juncture – just after the adoption of the UN Global Compact on Migration – and provided a forum where academic rigor met policy urgency and community wisdom. The métropolis model it exemplified: mixing plenaries with participatory workshops, study tours, and cultural programming, remains the gold standard for migration conferences worldwide.
Organizations like the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation, and Tungasuvvingat Inuit gave the conference its human dimension. As international migration continues to grow in scale and complexity, the themes debated in Ottawa – who directed metropolis conversations toward inclusion and shared prosperity – are as relevant as ever for governments, researchers, and communities navigating an era of unprecedented mobility.