Pathways to Delta: Celebrating Our Stories
The Pathways to Delta project celebrates the lived experiences of Delta staff members who came to Canada as immigrants and now call the City of Delta their professional home. We are excited to share their stories with you as they share their unique journeys—navigating new cultures, building careers, and finding connection in Delta.
Pathways to Delta was developed as part of Welcoming Week, a national initiative that celebrates the people and values that create inclusive communities. As a municipality, we are committed to fostering an inclusive community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Pathways to Delta highlights the stories of just some of the incredible people who contribute to this shared vision.
For information on the City's Community Pop-Up Sessions and other Welcoming Week events, visit delta.ca/Events.
Jing: One year with the City; Moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2008
If you ask Jing what she loves most about Delta, she ans- wers without hesitation: “It’s so beautiful here! It’s a very nice place and there’s a lot of potential.”
Today, Jing is Manager of Records, Information and Privacy at the City of Delta, building on an impressive ca- reer across the Lower Mainland. Yet her journey began far from here. “We came to Canada on March 22, 2008, before the Winter Olympics.” She recalls. Her husband, a civil engineer, was the principal applicant, but despite Canada’s need for engineers, there wasn’t work waiting for him, until he went back to school to earn his Canadian certification.
Seeking ways to support her family, Jing also embarked on a mission to reignite her career.
“I’ve always worked in documentation, policy and compliance – I was hesitant to leave home because I was established there, and I had to give it all up.” Jing quickly learned that Canadian regulations were different from those in the Philippines, and she would need multiple certifications to continue in her field. At the same time, she was raising her son and balancing her schooling. Despite these challenges, Jing persevered, steadily advancing her career through roles at TransLink, City of Surrey, and City of New Westminster before joining Delta.
When asked about what advice she would give other newcomers, Jing’s answer is simple:
“When you go to a new place, be open to learning all that’s there. And if you think you have the skills, don’t apply for a job just for the money: apply because you have the skills and you have something to offer. I’m at the place where I want to share my story. I hope that other immigrants will also see that it could be challenging at first, but it’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
Jas: Two years with the City; Moved to Canada from India in 2021
As a Community Energy Specialist at the City of Delta, Jas enjoys the best of both worlds: working towards energy efficiency across Delta while also connecting directly with the community. “I offer educational programs for new im- migrants in Delta—sharing the differences between Canada and their home countries from a climate action standpoint.”
Having moved to Canada in 2021 on a study permit, Jas is no stranger to adjusting to a new country, or to being flexible based on that country’s regulation. “It took me three days to get to Canada,” Jas recalls with a laugh, recounting the adventure. Moving to a new country in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic was already difficult, but to add an additional challenge, Canada wouldn’t accept Jas’s Indian COVID test. “I had to go to Dubai for transit, then I went to Egypt and stayed in Cairo for two days. I got my COVID test done in Cairo, then flew to Frankfurt, then Toronto, and finally Vancouver.”
With BC as a leader in climate action for Canada, Jas was motivated to complete his schooling in Vancouver and make his home here. Now working in Delta, Jas is excited to contribute to achieving both Corporate and Community Climate Action targets for net-zero emissions by 2050. His best advice to newcomers seeking employment like his: “Be strategic,” Jas says. “Keep fine-tuning your resume, always add a cover letter, read the job description carefully. Being a new immigrant, sometimes you think it’s difficult to get a job. But I’m an example that it’s not difficult if you’re strategic—it just takes time.”
Wendy: Fourteen years with the City; Moved to
Canada from Hong Kong at age 10
As a child flying with Cathay Pacific, Wendy always re-
membered one small but powerful gesture. “They would give you an envelope on the flight for UNICEF and it
would show you how dire the situations were in different
parts of the world. I was drawn to help.”
That simple act planted the seed for a lifelong dream: to work in emergency preparedness. It stayed with her through her childhood and even after her family immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada when Wendy was 10.
With most of her relatives already settled in Canada, the transition was smoother than she expected. “I’d been visiting every year and all my relatives were here. My cousins spoke English to me, so I was familiar with the language and the culture.” The biggest challenge came when Wendy entered a Canadian school halfway through the year. “Everyone already had their routines, projects, and friend groups. I felt out of place, not knowing how to catch up socially or academically.”
Adjusting took time, but Wendy found her footing in BC. She completed her undergraduate degree and began her career in Delta. “I started as an auxiliary in Development, and I was really lucky—within a year, I became a full-time, permanent employee for the City.”
14 years later, Wendy is still growing with Delta. Today, in her role as Executive Assistant to the Director of Facilities & Major Projects, Wendy is helping to shape a new team. “I love working for Delta. Everyone is supportive and welcoming—I knew it was a place I could grow.”
With growth in mind, Wendy’s advice to newcomers to Delta is to remain open-minded. “As the world changes, being curious and willing to learn can open new doors and help you feel more confident in your journey.”
And that childhood dream of emergency preparedness? “I’m in school now for public health. After graduating during the recession, I thought that dream was gone. But it’s back now, and I’m working towards it.”
Katya: Four years with the City; Moved to Canada
from Ukraine in 2001
When Katya first stumbled across Ladner Village 10
years ago, she had no idea how prophetic that wrong
turn would be. “I was driving from North Delta and
missed the highway turnoff. Instead, I ended up in
Ladner Village. I looked around and thought, it’s so little, so cute! How did I miss this? So I parked and walked
the village. Being European, I missed the old architec-
ture, the old feel and then I discovered this gem.”
Katya had immigrated to Vancouver from Ukraine in 2001. The seaside location reminded her of home, but the cityscape took some getting used to. “I had never seen a high-rise in my life,” she recalls. For Katya, a trained architect, the contrast in architecture was especially startling. Fortunately, she didn’t make the move alone. “It was a family decision—my mom, dad, sisters, aunt, and all their families. It was all of us, or none of us.”
While homesickness and loneliness took their toll at the beginning, Katya embraced a philosophy that guided her journey: “Home is the place you where you build ties and attachments. Once I built that attachment to Vancouver, it became my hometown.”
That same forward-thinking spirit eventually drew her to Delta. “It was always my goal to be a planner, but you need an accredited diploma. I wanted to move from architecture into a municipal setting.”
Katya worked with the Planning Institute of BC to have her education and experience recognized. At the same time, she joined the City as a Planning Assistant. Within two years, she became a Planner. “Now I process applications in Delta, and I get to guide applicants and apply my design and architectural skills.”
Her curiosity has always fueled her success, and her advice to newcomers is simple:
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out. Knock on doors, and they’ll open.”
Amandeep: Two years with the City; Moved to Canada from India in 2014
Amandeep arrived in Canada, in his own words, “with big dreams, two heavy suitcases, and a lot of uncertainty.” Born and raised in Punjab, India, the decision to study abroad was a big one, both emotionally and financially. “Leaving home was not easy—especially saying goodbye to my parents and the life I was used to,” he recalls.
“When I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar—the fast-
paced lifestyle, the food, the cold weather.”
Landing in Kitchener, Ontario, Amandeep was quickly immersed in Canadian life with little time to adjust. Homesickness, the change in pace, and his first experience of a Canadian winter made the transition challenging. But connecting with new friends and meeting people of diverse backgrounds helped him find his footing.
After time spent in both Kitchener and Alberta, Amandeep made BC his home in 2022. “It’s much better here,” he laughs. “More greenery, better weather.”
With a degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from home, Amandeep pursued further post-graduate studies in Kitchener. His growing expertise led him to Amazon, where he worked alongside high-level engineers on fast-paced technical projects. In 2023, he brought that experience to the City of Delta.
Now serving as a User Support Specialist, Amandeep is an in-house IT detective—troubleshooting hardware and software issues, pinpointing root causes, and finding solutions. While he enjoys the technical side, it’s the human connection that brings him the most satisfaction. “The best is when you solve the issue, and it makes the user happy. Providing support to make someone’s life easy…when someone is happy, that gives me happiness too.”
When asked what advice he’d give to newcomers, Amandeep’s passion for community and support shines through. “Take full advantage of the many community resources Delta offers,” he encourages. “You don’t have to do it all on your own. Reach out, ask questions, connect early. Come to City Hall—you’ll get lots of help.”