I rise today to inform this Honourable House that the provincial nominee program is fully integrated into the goals and objectives of the $6 million provincial immigration strategy. Under the management of the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, the strategy is yielding tremendous results. As a result, the provincial nominee program is attracting more people from around the world to our province.

The number of nominations has grown by 36 per cent over the previous fiscal year. Since the launch of the strategy, a total of 162 new nominees this year are choosing Newfoundland and Labrador as their new home. These are highly skilled professionals who make a contribution in many different areas. I am pleased to note that 56 per cent of all nominees are choosing to settle outside of the St. John�s metropolitan area.

These include entrepreneurs involved in small business creation in our rural communities. We also see the positive contribution being made by immigrants who work to educate the next generation at our post-secondary education and training institutions. Other newcomers are active in building research capacity in support of further innovation and economic growth. In recent years Newfoundland and Labrador has attracted an average of 450 immigrants annually and indications are that this number is increasing.

Within five years, the Provincial Government�s goal is to triple the number of immigrants to our province. Currently, the provincial nominee program has the occupational and skilled worker, immigrant entrepreneur and immigrant partner categories. We support an expanded and more accessible program to realize this immigration strategy goal.

Recently, the Provincial Government significantly reduced application fees under the program. In the coming weeks, it will be further enhanced with the addition of two new nomination categories. These categories will open the program to international students who have graduated from our educational institutions, and it will enable existing immigrants to bring other members of their family to the province.

We are now one year into the implementation of the immigration strategy. In that period, we have established a fully staffed Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism and are making strong improvements to the provincial nominee program. I am confident that continued implementation of the strategy will help attract and retain needed skills and talent as we realize greater prosperity in our province.

2008 03 12                                               2:15 p.m.