Join us in welcoming newcomers to our community

Refugees Welcome Here

We’re building a Calgary where diversity is celebrated and newcomers feel at home.

Not everyone feels comfortable with change. Some people react to newcomers with fear or hostility. This can show up as racism, xenophobia, or Islamophobia—and it hurts everyone in our community.

We all have a role to play in creating welcoming spaces. When you hear harmful comments or see discriminatory behaviour, you can safely step in and show support.

How to Step In Safely: The 4 D’s

These are simple actions you can take to be an active bystander when you witness harassment or hate:

1. Direct

Speak up if it’s safe to do so. Calmly tell the person their words or actions are harmful, or check in with the person being targeted:

“That’s not okay.”
“Are you alright?”

Speak as a group if possible. Stay calm, clear, and respectful.

2. Distract

Create a diversion to defuse the situation. Start a conversation, ask a question, or help the person being targeted leave safely:

“Excuse me, do you have the time?”
“I need to talk to you about something—can we step over here?”

3. Delegate

If you don’t feel safe stepping in, get help. Ask someone else to act or notify staff. Most places have zero tolerance policies for harassment.

4. Delay

If it’s not safe to intervene in the moment, check in afterward:

“I saw what happened—are you okay?”
You can also report it later. It’s never too late to show support.

📖 Learn more:
Be an active bystander – University of Cambridge

Learn More & Take Action

Right to Be

A global movement to end all forms of harassment. Right to Be empowers people to safely step in and support others using practical tools like the 5Ds of bystander intervention. They focus on standing with women, LGBTQ+ communities, people of colour, and anyone experiencing marginalization.

👉 Take Action with Right to Be

Action, Chinese Canadians Together (ACCT)

ACCT builds leadership in the Chinese Canadian community to advance equity across Canada. They bring people together to address barriers, host conferences, and celebrate the contributions of Chinese Canadian leaders past and present.

Explore their work and upcoming initiatives:
🌐 acctfoundation.ca

Let us all speak up, support each other, and help make Calgary a place where everyone belongs. 💫