Minister releases discussion paper on immigration

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, released today a discussion paper, An Immigration Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador: Opportunity for Growth. "We know that immigrants make very real contributions to the towns and cities where they settle," said Minister Burke. "Immigrants offer new ideas, cultural experiences, and specialized skills. We already have excellent examples of immigrants to our province who have established successful business ventures and are employing local residents. Immigration is a resource that we want to explore as one means to revitalize some areas of the province."

The discussion document provides an overview of immigration in Canada, the Atlantic Provinces, and Newfoundland and Labrador and outlines why the province is developing an immigration strategy at this time. Challenges and opportunities relating to the attraction, retention, and integration of immigrants are also outlined. In addition, the paper highlights the role of stakeholders, the need to expand settlement services, the need to improve mechanisms for foreign credential recognition, and the importance of a "welcoming communities" strategy.

• View Discussion Paper (PDF)

Newfoundland and Labrador attracts only about 400 immigrants annually, and according to Statistics Canada, the province retains only about 36 per cent. Most immigrants to Canada settle in urban areas such as Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary, where they contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of those cities.

Other jurisdictions in Canada now view increased immigration as one means to address issues such as a declining population and skill shortages in the labour market. The Atlantic premiers have agreed to work together to promote the region to increase the numbers of immigrants who settle in the Atlantic provinces. "We have a number of demographic challenges including a declining and aging population that immigration can help to address. We need to promote the province and tell potential immigrants that Newfoundland and Labrador is a great place to live, to work, to study, and to raise a family," noted Minister Burke.

The province will be working closely on the development of an immigration strategy with various organizations that are already active on this front. The Association for New Canadians (ANC), a settlement agency funded largely by the federal government, has been providing quality settlement and integration services to newcomers for over 25 years. There is also a Coordinating Committee for Newcomer Integration (CCNI) with representation from a number of federal and provincial government departments, the Harris Centre of Memorial University, the ANC, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the City of St. John�s.

Consultations will be held with key stakeholders throughout the province in the fall. There will be a consultation session in each of the nine regions of the Rural Secretariat. The general public can also provide feedback on the document An Immigration Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador: Opportunity for Growth by submitting written comments to Immigration Policy and Planning, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, P.O. Box 8700, St. John�s, NL, A1B 4J6 , by e-mail at immigration@gov.nl.ca

The province acknowledges the support of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for this initiative and a funding contribution from the Labour Market Development Agreement which is co-managed by the province and HRSDC. Media contact: Jacqueline Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624

2005 06 28                            10:35 a.m.