SOLIDARITY PRIZE 2026

North American Towns and Cities already nominated for the Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize 2026

Several Canadian towns have already been nominated for the 2026 Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize

Nominees from North America

The Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize celebrates towns and cities that show how people of diverse backgrounds can live together in harmony, creating communities where everyone feels at home. We’re now inviting nominations for places, large or small, that deserve recognition for fostering inclusion and belonging.

The winner of the Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize will not be decided by a panel of experts or a jury, but by members of the public. With the Solidarity Prize Project, we wish to show the human generosity of ordinary people. We hope you will take part.

The shortlist and winner will be announced in 2026. (See our introduction for more details.) Shortlisted communities will have demonstrated a powerful ability to bring people together across differences. The Immigrant Times will feature the most inspiring among them.

Please nominate a place where people of all backgrounds stand by one another 

Please email us with the following information

• Your name or how you would like to be known. (We only publish your first name and the initial of your last name.)

• Your place of residence (city and country)

• Name of the town or city, including country, you wish to nominate for the Solidarity Prize.

• Please insert the name of your nominee in your email’s subject line.

• Reasons why you feel your suggested town or city should be shortlisted. (Please provide specific examples rather than generalisations.)

North American cities already nominated for the Solidarity Prize

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Suggested by Patrick F., Burnaby

The superintendent of the apartment building in Burnaby was a white, English-speaking Canadian. He insisted on removing his shoes before entering my apartment. It meant he respected the homes of his tenants.

I borrowed a few appliances and furniture items from his storage locker. He told me many renters arrived from Asia with just a suitcase of clothes and laptop computer. When I left, I gave some useful furniture items to his collection. Make life easier for the next person.

Please send us your comments if you support Burnaby.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Suggested by Tracy K., Canada

I photograph dancers. Edmonton's Heritage Days Festival is a celebration of culture, foods and dances from more than 85 cultures from around the world. Our culture is immigration.

From before Canada was a country, there were people who saw the latest, and most visible immigrants as 'invaders'. And this is still true today. But the truth is clear - Canada's culture is immigration. Those who suggest that immigration is destroying our culture are simply continuing this same fear. They are caught up in their personal situations and their present moments.

Many countries would benefit from our ability to accept others, to embrace other cultures, to learn from them. The world is multicultural, and that is good. Canada is one of the few countries that recognises this fact. When the rest of the world recognises and accepts its own citizens, and all of its cultures, it will be more like Canada.

Please send us your comments if you support Alberta

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Suggested by Patricia F., Vancouver

It’s so usual that we encounter different cultures in our daily lives that I feel uncomfortable being in a situation where I don’t see someone of a different race. A restaurant where there’s NOT ONE Asian or South Asian person? Weird. Biracial couples are the norm. Mixed race kids? NBD. It’s just the way it is, and we like it.

Please send us your comments if you support Vancouver.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Suggested by Andy W., Grimsby, Ontario

We Mexicans. We are the same because we are human beings. We get treated by Americans the same way. We just wear sweaters. Americans think we Canadians are Mexicans with sweaters. I would imagine Americans think of Mexicans as Canadians with suntans. The reality is we are all in NAFTA together, and it has worked for a long time to the benefit of all.

Please send us your comments if you support Toronto.

General observation

By Hans M., California, USA

I believe that immigrants are the most valuable asset that America can acquire. The people who immigrate to this country are, and have been for several hundred years, the most energetic, adventurous, imaginative, and industrious people in the societies they left. And they come here to do well -- yes, for themselves, but that enriches us all in many ways.

It seems sad that, by this process, we deplete the energy of so many countries, but, to the ambitious folks who come, we apparently offer something that can't be found at home.

So, the US prospers as immigrants add their energies and their ambitions to our society. They have cost us very little over the centuries while adding great wealth, both financially and culturally, to our nation. And, consistently, the people who are already here, however recently arrived, have divided themselves into two groups.

On other pages: Introduction to the Solidarity Prize || North American towns and cities nominated for the Prize || European towns and cities nominated for the Prize ||

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