Advanced Education and Skills
August 12, 2016
Supporting the Attraction and Retention of Immigrants
Provincial Government Invites Residents to Help Develop Immigration Strategy
Online and in-person consultations will be held with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, as the Department of Advanced Education and Skills works to develop a new provincial immigration strategy. The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, attended the first roundtable discussion today at the Association for New Canadians in St. John's.
"Understanding the need for a renewed focus and strategic approach to provincial immigration, we are engaging in a discussion with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador on ideas to further increase the attraction and retention of immigrants. We welcome your ideas, either in person or through a written submission."
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills
Roundtable discussions will also be held in Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony. People can also contribute to the strategy by completing the fillable discussion document available at www.aes.gov.nl.ca and returning it to immigration@gov.nl.ca by September 30, 2016.
"Immigration is a viable solution to problems associated with our aging population and population decline. Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador supports the provincial immigration strategy's goal of attracting and retaining immigrants to our communities, which then may lead to their long-term residency."
- Mayor Karen Oldford, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
The new immigration strategy will build on the Provincial Government's ongoing partnership with the Federal Government, and further supports the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which aims to attract and retain more immigrants to the region to address economic, labour market and demographic needs.
A full list of roundtable discussions can be found in the attached backgrounder. More information about the consultations and how to participate is available at www.aes.gov.nl.ca/immigration_strategy.html.
QUICK FACTS
- Roundtable discussions are being held to help develop a new provincial immigration strategy.
- The first roundtable discussion took place today in St. John's. Additional in-person sessions are scheduled for Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony.
- Newfoundland and Labrador has been experiencing growth in immigration. In 2015, the province welcomed over 1,100 new permanent residents, a new record.
- For more information on immigration, visit the Provincial Government's Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism at www.facebook.com/nlimmigration
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Media contacts:
|
John Tompkins
Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Gail Woodfine
Communications and Public Relations Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6822, 725-1440 gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Schedule for Immigration Strategy Roundtable Discussions - August 2016
To register, visit www.gov.nl.ca or call 709-729-6607.
| Date | Location | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 12 | St. John's | Association for New Canadians (ANC), 10 Smithville Crescent | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, August 16 | Grand Falls-Windsor | College of the North Atlantic Cafeteria, Grand Falls-Windsor Campus | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday, August 19 | Corner Brook | Room 1015, College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook Campus | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, August 23 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Room 106, College of the North Atlantic, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, August 24 | St. Anthony | College of the North Atlantic, St. Anthony Campus | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
2016 08 12 1:40 p.m.