Facing new rules, a new language and sometimes a whole new way of life often present huge challenges for prospective immigrants or those who have recently arrived.

To help make the transition for newcomers to Canada easier, Peel Region is gearing up for the launch of the Peel Immigration Web Portal (www.immigrationpeel.ca), an online resource tool aimed at connecting people with critical information they need to settle in.

Region officials and community stakeholders will mark the launch of the new web portal during a dinner and networking event slated Nov. 24 in Mississauga.

Peel Region is one of 13 municipalities to apply for and receive funding from Queen's Park to develop a municipal immigration web portal to support the integration of new Canadians into the community.

To oversee and manage the work, a project team comprised of a wide range of region staff and community stakeholders was formed.

The primary goal of the web portal is to help the newly arrived, and those thinking of coming to Canada, to make an informed decision in considering Peel as a site to settle in, prepare them effectively before immigrating to Peel and help access services and supports available for newcomers when they arrive.

The project team undertook detailed analysis of a wide range of immigration-focused web portals and undertook usability reviews to determine the kinds of information (content) that was of greatest value and highest importance to newcomers.

Out of that exercise, seven "critical topic areas" for the web portal were identified including employment, housing, education and healthcare.

Monday's event will begin 5:30 p.m. at Mississauga Grand Banquet and Convention Centre, 35 Brunel Rd., and feature addresses by Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan, Brampton-Springdale MPP Linda Jeffrey and Shekher Puri, regional vice president, Royal Bank of Canada.

After the keynote speeches and official launch of the online tool, various kiosks will be setup for demonstrations.