Province hosts a successful and informative Immigration Symposium

Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and minister responsible for immigration, is extremely pleased with the level of community participation at the province�s inaugural Immigration Symposium.

"The symposium was an excellent forum to bring together province-wide representatives from municipalities, business and labour, community-based agencies, educational institutions, and various interested stakeholders and government officials," said Minister Shelley. "Through this forum we have shared many new ideas, discussed a broad range of immigration issues, and most importantly increased our overall awareness of the need for an immigration strategy in the province."

"Throughout our history, Newfoundland and Labrador has benefited from immigration," said Minister Shelley. "Today, it is recognized to be an increasingly important part of the province�s future economic, cultural and population growth."

There are many positive aspects associated with increased immigrant settlement into the province. Immigrants bring a wealth of new ideas, experiences and skills. They are actively involved in their communities. Immigrants help establish new businesses and create employment for other residents. Newcomers add to a community�s diversity by bringing new customs and traditions. Immigrants also bring a wealth of connections to other regions of the world and can help to form new trade links within the global marketplace. Jurisdictions, such as Manitoba, are realizing positive growth in these and other areas through an active and focused provincial immigration strategy.

"Government recognizes the need to establish an immigration strategy which, over the medium to long term, will form an integral part of our overall approach to challenges arising from skill shortages in the labour market, the aging workforce and declining population," noted the minister.

An immigration strategy will serve to inform government policy in its relations with the Government of Canada on immigration matters. It will guide government�s approach in terms of attracting and retaining a larger percentage of the total number of immigrants who enter the country. As well, it will direct the development of programs and services, in partnership with the community, to assist newcomers settle and integrate into our province.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has a lot to offer and government will continue to work with its community partners to raise the province�s profile and note its advantages as a preferred destination of choice for newcomers.

"I look forward to reviewing the results of the symposium and to use this vital information to both inform government as we move forward with our planned immigration strategy and to further the general public�s understanding of the increasingly important role that immigration will play in the future of our province," said Minister Shelley.

The symposium builds on over a year of work within the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment along with community partners to move forward with the development of an immigration strategy. This work included the release of a discussion paper, followed by public consultations and a companion �What we heard� consultation report. As well, the department launched an immigration web site and issued a newsletter dedicated to immigration matters.

Interest in the symposium was so high that the number potential participants exceeded available conference capacity of 250 delegates.

Conference proceedings will be available over the coming months through the department�s immigration web site at: //www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/immigration/

Media contact: Ed Moriarity, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 728-9623

2006 09 19                                                         2:05 p.m.