Showing posts with label Nova Scotia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nova Scotia. Show all posts

Atlantic Canada Looks for Immigrants

Four provinces in Canada’s east coast, commonly known as the Atlantic Provinces, have launched major initiatives to boost immigration.
As part of the strategy, the Premiers (who are the elected leaders of the provinces in Canada) of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island (PEI) want to talk to Canada’s federal government about relaxing the cap on the so-called Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The PNP allows individual provinces and territories to select their own immigrants based on the needs of that particular province or territory. The federal government, through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), together with a province or territory imposes a cap for every year for PNP immigration.
According to CIC, the national quota for PNP for this year is between 17,500 and 18,800 principle applicants.
But the PNP annual quota differs from province to province and some officials from the Atlantic provinces have been unhappy about that. They point out that New Brunswick, for example, has a population of 750,000 and is allocated a PNP cap of 625 every year while Manitoba, in the west, is allowed 5,000 under the PNP for a population of 1.2 million.
It is not clear, though, how many immigrants the four provinces want to bring under the PNP.
Attracting new immigrants has become critical for many of Canada’s provinces and territories. It is even more critical for the Atlantic provinces for four key reasons: keep population growing, keep pace with the developments in rest of Canada in terms of immigration, attract people with knowledge and attract fresh cash.
As one observer put it, the general population trend of Atlantic Canada is old, white and declining while in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia it is young, multicultural and growing.
Some of the provinces have already launched separate programs to boost immigration. For example, earlier this month, Nova Scotia launched an ambitious program to double its annual immigrant intake, to reach 7,200 immigrants by 2020, and part of the plan is to increase the PNP from the current 500 to 1,500.
One of the challenges faced by region is that many of the immigrants who move there do not remain there; they emigrate within Canada, mostly to major hubs such as Ontario or British Columbia after a few years.
But this might be changing. One study done by the St Mary’s University in Halifax, in Nova Scotia, found out that while 54 percent of the immigrants who had moved to the Atlantic region during the five years ending in 2001 were still in the region, this had gone up to 65 percent by 2006. Nova Scotia, in its new immigration strategy, plans to increase the retention rate to seventy percent.
Officials from the region say that immigrants generally fare better there, than in the major hubs. Some studies do show immigrants moving to the Atlantic provinces tend to get jobs appropriate to their professions faster and also earn more than immigrants moving to provinces such as Ontario.
Links to Atlantic Canadian Provincial Immigration Sites:

Let’s make room for the ‘bright’ immigrant

Harbour of Peggys Cove, Nova ScotiaImage via WikipediaBy RACHEL BRIGHTON JUST BUSINESS 



When my husband and I applied for permanent residency in Canada in 1996, one of the questions asked on the application form was whether we were "bright" or "dull." We indicated we were bright and they opened the door for us.
We were also considered suitably young, educated and affluent, but more importantly, to us, we were "free" immigrants. We did not enter the country and the province through an economic immigration stream that bound us to work for a particular company or take a particular job on a prescribed list. We were free to make our living as we chose and where we chose.
We chose Nova Scotia because we liked its contours on a map. We stayed because we liked the lay of the land when we saw it and the laid back way of life.
Moving here is harder now, because of the regimented immigration system that channels applicants through narrow corridors into provinces, sectors and occupations.
For example, the federal skilled-worker stream lists 29 eligible occupations and accepts up to 1,000 applicants in each occupation per year, up to a total of 20,000 applicants.
In a 10-month period ending April 19, Canada had filled its quota in some occupations, such as pharmacists and registered nurses, but fell far short in other occupations. Only 49 plumbers and seven crane operators wanted to immigrate to Canada.
Imposing such strict controls may not be the best way to attract immigrants with sought-after skills.
When Nova Scotia launched its new immigration strategy this week, it set out a flexible approach that will still try to match skills and jobs but without a strict list. It will also try to balance the short-term needs of employers, who are looking for people with very particular skill sets, with self-sufficient skills that immigrants bring, such as being able to operate machines and heavy equipment.
The government hopes to attract 7,200 immigrants a year by 2020 — double the rate now. Half would come through the provincial nominee program, or as family members of these nominees, and half would come through federal immigration streams.
But the province says to meet these targets the federal government must release its tight grip on immigration to this province. The federal government will only consider up to 500 applications a year through Nova Scotia’s provincial nominee program.
The premier said Friday that immigration was an economic driver and the federal cap was setting "a limit on that development."
As the premier seeks to free up the immigration process at the federal level, he should also strive to ensure there is sufficient freedom in the provincial process.
It makes some sense to stream immigrants into economic categories, such as highly skilled, semi-skilled and temporary workers, or agricultural entrepreneurs, as the new strategy will do.
But Nova Scotia should always welcome a knock at the door from more romantic types who can’t be classified by narrowly defined labels. We could shut out some "bright" immigrants if our vision is too dull.
Rachel Brighton is the editor and publisher of the regional magazine Coastlands: The Maritimes Policy Review.



N.S. wants to double number of immigrants by 2020

View toward halifax, Nova Scotia as the ferry ...Image via Wikipedia
Nova Scotia announced a new immigration strategy that aims to double the number of immigrants entering the province each year by 2020.
At the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21 in Halifax on Friday, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter released the province's new strategy, which sets a target of 7,200 new immigrants by 2020, double what the province had previously aimed for.
The immigration strategy will be bolstered by an additional $790,000 for immigration efforts and targets a 70% retention rate.
"Welcome Home to Nova Scotia is the province's most ambitious and focused immigration plan ever, and one of the most comprehensive strategies in the country," Dexter said in a release.
"By focusing on attracting immigrants with the right skills and experience, this new strategy will make our immigration programs more responsive to employers' needs," Immigration Minister Marilyn More said.
In 2007, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia signed a new immigration agreement to give the province the ability to nominate more skilled immigrants for quicker processing by the feds in an attempt to help counter declining population trends in communities across the province.

Sask., Man., lead population growth

Pie chart of the area of provinces and territo...Image via Wikipedia

Immigration in 2010 highest since '50s

Saskatchewan and Manitoba emerged as the country's growth leaders in population numbers released by Statistics Canada Thursday.
The agency estimated that Canada's population grew by 1.1 per cent in 2010 to total 34,278,400 as of January 1, 2011.
But Saskatchewan's rose by 1.5 per cent and Manitoba's increased 1.4 per cent, helped by strong economic growth prospects.
Movement from other provinces helped Saskatchewan while immigration was a strong factor in Manitoba's growth.
The growth of 40,400 from October 1, 2010 was lower than in the same period in 2009, when the number of Canadians grew by 55,900.
While growth due to natural increase was relatively stable, net international migration declined from 25,400 to 10,900.
"This decline in net international migration can be explained by a larger decrease in non-permanent residents living in Canada," it said.
Canada received more than 280,000 immigrants in 2010, the highest level recorded since the 1950's. This was 28,500 more immigrants than in 2009

 (Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
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Canada and Nova Scotia to Work Together on Temporary Foreign Workers

Geopolitical map of CanadaImage via Wikipedia
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 20, 2011) - Temporary foreign workers in Nova Scotia will be better protected as a result of an agreement between Canada and Nova Scotia that gives the province a role in managing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
"Temporary foreign workers make a key contribution to the Canadian economy and we are taking the necessary steps to protect them from exploitation," said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. "We are ensuring that temporary foreign workers are treated with respect, with agreements such as this, and with the new regulations that take effect nationwide on April 1."
The agreement, an annex to the Agreement for Canada-Nova Scotia Cooperation on Immigration, provides a framework for closer co-operation between the two governments to better educate employers and potential workers about their rights and responsibilities.
"The Government of Nova Scotia has a central role in protecting workers, including temporary foreign workers, from mistreatment, and this agreement formally recognizes that role," added Minister Kenney.
Nova Scotia will also have a greater role in helping employers access the labour and skills they need, and will be able to recommend the entry of some temporary foreign workers without requiring an assessment of whether there are Canadians or permanent residents available to fill the vacant positions.
"This agreement is an important step in making the program more responsive to Nova Scotia's particular labour needs," added Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"Attracting temporary international workers to Nova Scotia will help ensure there is enough skilled labour available for our businesses and industries," said Marilyn More, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education and Minister of Immigration. "Temporary international workers have technical skills and international contacts our companies and communities need in order to remain innovative, productive and competitive, the key priorities outlined in the Government of Nova Scotia's jobsHere plan to grow the economy."
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is driven by employer demand and aimed at filling identified labour shortages when sufficient, suitable Canadian workers or permanent residents are not available. For more on the regulations that take effect on April 1, 2011, please see the news release of August 18, 2010.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada
For more information, please contact
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Minister's Office
Alykhan Velshi
or
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Communications Branch
Media Relations
613-952-1650              613-952-1650     
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
or
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Minister's Office
Michelle Bakos
819-994-2482           819-994-2482     
or
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Media Relations
819-994-5559              819-994-5559     
or
Office of Immigration
Media Relations
Tom Peck
902-424-3742              902-424-3742     
peckto@gov.ns.ca


January job gains dwarf expectations

Citizens of CanadaImage by ItzaFineDay via Flickr
OTTAWA — Canada's job growth was almost five times stronger than expected last month.
Statistics Canada on Friday said there were 69,200 additional people working in January, much more than the 15,000 in job gains economists had been predicting.
The unemployment rate rose to 7.8 per cent from 7.6 per cent in December, as more people joined the job hunt. Economists had expected the jobless rate to remain the same.
The unexpectedly high rate of job gains for January means the labour market has gained back all the positions lost during the recession, and then some. Recent revisions to the data had put the job count down 30,000 from before the downturn, despite previous data showing all recession-related job losses had been recovered.
"Canadian employment came flying out of the chute to start 2011, posting a whopping rise of 69,200 jobs in January, with gains spread evenly across sectors and job types," said Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist with BMO Capital Markets.
Porter said the January jobs report "reinforces the point that the economy regained momentum around the turn of the year."
Full-time workers were up 31,100 in January and part-timers were ahead 38,000.
Private-sector employment grew by 22,700 people, public-sector work was up 26,400 and 20,100 more people were self-employed.
There was, however, a disproportionate number of job gains among women 25 and older, who saw gains of 55,400.
Some of the industries for which employment grew included public administration, agriculture and specialized-service occupations. Declines were seen in transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and food services. Manufacturing job numbers were essentially flat, despite fears it would lose ground after seeing exceptionally high growth of 66,000 in December.
Notable employment gains were seen in Ontario and Alberta, though there were declines in British Columbia and New Brunswick.
Porter noted that a rise of 106,400 in the number of people seeking work — which pushed the unemployment rate higher — was one of the biggest gains on record.
Despite the impressive job numbers for January, some experts pointed out the economy remains challenged.
"The number of full-time jobs continues to sit about 100,000 positions short of its level prior to the downturn, while both the employment-to-population ratio and the labour-force participation rate remain under water by some one to two percentage points," said David Burleton, deputy chief economist with TD Economics. "Lastly, the jobless rate was plumbing the depths at about six per cent as recently as mid-2008."
Burleton said he expects job growth to moderate to a pace of about 15,000 to 20,000 a month for most of 2011, which should be enough to bring the jobless rate down to 7.3 per cent by year's end.
Postmedia News
Twitter.com/derekabma
TABLE
Unemployment rates by province in January:
Newfoundland and Labrador 12.4%
Prince Edward Island 11.3%
Nova Scotia 9.5%
New Brunswick 9.1%
Quebec 7.9%
Ontario 8.1%
Manitoba 5.0%
Saskatchewan 5.4%
Alberta 5.9%
British Columbia 8.2%
Overall 7.8%
Source: Statistics Canada


Read more: http://www.canada.com/business/January+gains+dwarf+expectations/4223489/story.html#ixzz1D32IEAVt





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Deal to smooth firms’ access to overseas workers

View toward halifax, Nova Scotia as the ferry ...Image via WikipediaOttawa, N.S. agreement does away with market survey



Companies that may need overseas workers for big projects will have an easier time bringing them in under an agreement the province will sign with Ottawa.
Employers wanting to bring in temporary foreign workers now need a federal labour market opinion from Service Canada that says they’ve exhausted efforts to hire qualified Canadians or permanent residents and must look elsewhere.
Elizabeth Mills, executive director of the province’s Office of Immigration, said the new agreement will allow the province to write to Citizenship and Immigration Canada in support of the employer, allowing the employer to skip the step of the labour market opinion.
"In certain circumstances where the province . . . sees that an employer needs workers in a particular big project or economic development initiative, then we will write a letter of support requesting a temporary work permit be issued for a worker or workers in that area," Mills said Tuesday.
"We may also support a group of foreign nationals in a specific occupation. So, for example, if there’s a big project going on, the company is unable to hire people locally, and they need a group of workers to come over with specialized skills, then we can write a letter of support for that."
Another aspect of the agreement will grant a work permit to the spouse and working-age children of the foreign worker.
A third new measure deals with Canadians or permanent residents who marry foreign nationals. Mills said the foreign nationals will be able to get a work permit while temporary residents and waiting for their applications for permanent residence is being processed.
She said about 2,500 foreign workers come to the province annually.
Mills said the changes on temporary foreign workers come out of a 2007 agreement on immigration that the province signed with Ottawa. An annex to that agreement was to cover that group.
She said most other provinces have, or are working on, similar agreements with Ottawa.
Mills said she isn’t sure when the agreement will be signed, but hopes that will happen before the next federal election.
Well-known Nova Scotia immigration lawyer Lee Cohen lauded the move as a good step toward strengthening the economy because there are shortages of various levels of skilled workers.
"What was happening was Nova Scotia was bringing into the province more and more highly skilled people while positions for lesser skilled people were not being filled," Cohen said in an interview Tuesday.
"So instead of only seeking higher skilled workers, they wanted to seek workers in demand," he said. "It’s a fantastic thing. It’s a great step in the right direction."
Cohen said Nova Scotia has too many people who are highly educated but are being told they’re overqualified for positions, and conversely, not enough people to fill other openings, such as those found in the hospitality industry. "Hotels are finding it impossible to get room attendants."
The Halifax lawyer said he’d been told a few months ago that this change was underway, and hopes the next level to be addressed will be that of the entrepreneur.
"What I’ve been waiting for from these guys for such a long time is some kind of entrepreneurial category."
( djackson@herald.ca)



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Immigrants staying in Atlantic Canada: study

Saint Mary's University, main entranceImage via WikipediaNew research indicates immigrants are no longer using the Atlantic provinces merely as an entry point to Canada but are making the region a long-term home.
A study of Statistics Canada information at Saint Mary's University in Halifax found newcomers who settle in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island fare better than people who settle in traditional immigration hubs such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
The East Coast immigrants are more likely to have work and earn more than recent immigrants in Ontario, the study found.
Dr. Ather Akbari, an economics professor at St. Mary's University who was involved in the research, said the Atlantic provinces are more likely to see immigrants who have been targeted for specific jobs, than immigrants who simply choose this part of Canada for a new life.
"People who come here, because they are intended to fill in specific jobs, chances are that they will get fair market value for their work, [better] than in other provinces."
The Atlantic provinces tend to recruit professionals to staff hospitals and similar high value positions, while immigrants who aren't targeted in this way tend to go to Ontario, primarily to join their families.

Good jobs means people stay

Once living on the East Coast and holding good jobs, an increasing number of immigrants decide to stick around rather than take the traditional path west, Akbari said. In fact, more immigrants are now trying Toronto first and then moving to Atlantic Canada than the reverse.
In 2001, about 54 per cent of immigrants who arrived in the Atlantic provinces in the previous five years were still in the region. This figure had risen to about 65 per cent by 2006, Akbari said.
At a meeting of the Association for New Canadians on Friday in Newfoundland, a class full of newcomers shared stories and discussed settling into a new country.
Natalia Volkozha moved to Canada from Israel with her family a decade ago. They tried to settle in Montreal, but it did not work out. She heard good stories about life in Newfoundland and so she and her family moved to the island.
Her background in education gave her a foot in the door as a daycare teacher. Eight years later, she is a few months away from completing her master's degree in education.
"We are planning to stay here," she said. "We are new homeowners so I have roots, growing roots here."
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Panel ponders how to strengthen region's economy

Map highlighting Atlantic CanadaImage via WikipediaThe economic future of Atlantic Canada may depend on developing a brand, according to the president of the University of Prince Edward Island.
"That question of brand is really critical," Wade MacLauchlan said during a panel discussion in St. Andrews on Friday. "It takes us to the question of how do we think about ourselves and what our expectations are, and what we think we have that is a basis for having competitive excellence in the world."
The P.E.I. mussels are one brand that has worked for the region, said MacLauchlan during a discussion on the economic future of Atlantic Canada. The session was part of a three-day Ideas Festival conference, hosted by the Fredericton-based 21inc. and Ottawa's Public Policy Forum.
MacLauchlan noted that P.E.I. mussels show up on menus across the world, and food could be a potential area where the region can achieve global excellence.
"The good news is that we already have global players here that are showing us how to do that," said MacLauchlan, referring to the international success of the region's food companies such as McCain Foods Ltd. and Oxford Frozen Foods.
The economic future of Atlantic Canada could also lie in increasing the international export of food, said Karen Oldfield, the president and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority.
During the panel, Oldfield told the audience of a pilot project recently completed by her port.
In collaboration with CN Rail and a Montreal-based container company, the port authority transported grains products from Saskatchewan to Halifax, and then shipped that grain to overseas markets looking for Canadian goods. With Atlantic provinces now growing plenty of crops, such systems can allow for the export of these products to the world.
"This is a true Atlantic success story - we are taking soybean product from P.E.I., we are taking soybean product from Nova Scotia, and we are creating a whole new market for a whole new product. It's going to be one of the products for the future - food."
During the session, Oldfield also touched upon the immigration, and the need for Atlantic Canada to create a more welcoming environment for immigrants. She said Atlantic Canada is not doing enough to integrate immigrants into communities.
"It's easier to be a global business when you can draw upon the experience of your own workforce to help you to understand a particular market or culture," said Oldfield, speaking to the value of employees coming from abroad.
While the panel focused on the future of the region, Monique Collette, the senior advisor to the privy council office in Ottawa, spoke to the past success of the region.
Collette said one of the assets of Atlantic Canada is the ability of the region to bounce back. While Ontario continues to struggle with the breakdown of the manufacturing industry, Collette noted that Atlantic Canada is doing relatively well in recovering from the recession.
"We are a very resilient people, and resiliency is not given to everybody," Collette said.
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Nova Scotia hoping to attract more immigrants

Hants County, Nova ScotiaImage via WikipediaNova Scotia officials want to lift immigration caps for the province in order to attract more skilled newcomers but face opposition from the federal government even though Immigration Minister Jason Kenney does agree more newcomers may resolve the province's labour shortage.

"I think it’s admirable that Nova Scotia is focused on growing its population," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney according to the Chronicle Herald. "Immigration is part of the solution to the challenge of shrinking population in general and in Atlantic Canada in particular."

The eastern province has a rapidly shrinking population and therefore has been a keen supporter of newcomers moving to the province. In the past decade, officials have spent millions of dollars trying to persuade immigrants to relocate to Nova Scotia under the provincial nominee program and increased spending for settlement programs.

Last year 2,2424 immigrants moved to Nova Scotia and officials would like to see that increase to 7,200 each year by 2020. However, in order to do that they need the federal government to remove cap restrictions on immigration. A notion that minister Jason Kenney isn’t too keen to do just yet citing growing needs by other areas in Canada.

"In general it’s a positive goal, but every province needs to remember we need to work together in the federation," he said. "We can’t have 10 provinces arbitrarily setting their own goals, because ultimately there’s one pipeline for immigration, if you will, and that runs through the government of Canada, through my ministry."

The provincial nominee program gives newcomers the opportunity to work in positions that are unfilled by Canadians.
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N.S. faces uphill battle on immigration

Harbour of Peggys Cove, Nova ScotiaImage via WikipediaFeds don’t want to raise cap on numbers of newcomers

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS:
Source countries for immigration to Nova Scotia in 2009:


U.K.382
China 242
Iran 215
U.S.A. 210
Israel 111
Germany 102
India 76
U.A.E. 75
Philippines 68
Egypt 53
OTTAWA — Nova Scotia is benefiting from greater immigration, but the federal immigration minister isn’t sure that Ottawa can increase the numbers as quickly as the province would like.
Since 2006, Ottawa has increased funding for immigrant settlement in Nova Scotia to $7.1 million from $2.1 million, and also boosted the number of skilled workers brought in under the provincial nominee program to 833 in 2009 from 326 in 2005.
"I think it’s admirable that Nova Scotia is focused on growing its population," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney in an interview Wednesday. "Immigration is part of the solution to the challenge of shrinking population in general and in Atlantic Canada in particular."
But the province may not be able to continue increasing its intake of skilled immigrants as quickly as it would like. In 2009, 2,424 immigrants moved to Nova Scotia. The province would like to have 7,200 arrive every year by 2020. But in order for that to happen, Nova Scotia needs the federal government to lift the cap on the number who can arrive under the provincial nominee program, which is set at 500.
After a meeting in Pictou two weeks ago, the Atlantic premiers called on Ottawa to do more.

"As a first step, the Atlantic premiers call on the federal government to remove the cap on their provincial nominee programs," they said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Kenney said that may not be realistic.
"In general it’s a positive goal, but every province needs to remember we need to work together in the federation," he said. "We can’t have 10 provinces arbitrarily setting their own goals, because ultimately there’s one pipeline for immigration, if you will, and that runs through the government of Canada, through my ministry."
Ottawa plans to let 265,000 immigrants in next year, a number the government doesn’t want to increase. So if more go through provincial nominee programs, Ottawa would have to reduce the number of people who arrive under the much bigger federal economic-immigrant program, or cut back on refugees or family reunification, Kenney said.
He said he must balance competing interests.
"Ontario is pushing us for increases in the skilled worker program but Nova Scotia and other provinces are pushing us for increases in the nominee program.
"The refugee lobby is pushing for increases in the number of refugees. Many immigrants are pushing for increases in family class. And we just can’t meet everyone’s objectives at the same time."
NDP MP Megan Leslie, who represents Halifax, the riding where most immigrants to Nova Scotia settle, said the answer may be to raise the overall number.
"Provinces know what they need," she said. "If they say they need more skilled workers, we should be following their advice. Minister Kenney says it’s tricky. It is, but it’s not unsolvable."
Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison, a Liberal, said the federal government needs to respond to Nova Scotia’s demographic problems.
"The federal government needs to recognize the dire situation Nova Scotia is in with zero population growth, teetering on population decline," he said.
A poll released Wednesday by Abacus Data found that about 49 per cent of Canadians believe there are too many immigrants allowed in yearly. Only 42 per cent of Atlantic Canadians agreed, the lowest level in the country.
Kenney said there is no reason for anybody to oppose the provincial nominee program since it’s designed to provide immigrants to take jobs that are going unfilled by Canadians.
"My message would be that the provincial nominee program ensures that we’re not taking jobs away from Canadians or Nova Scotians."
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Nova Scotia: Agri-Food Sector Stream

Nova Scotia Province within Canada.Image via WikipediaThe Agri-Food Sector stream is aimed at immigrants interested in agri-food primary production and/or value added production. The stream gives the opportunity to strengthen rural communities by creating jobs and growing the economy by bringing agricultural skills to Nova Scotia. The Agri-Food Sector pilot is a joint venture between the Office of Immigration and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.
To be eligible to apply under this stream, the applicant must:
  • have legal status in the country of residence
  • be between the ages of 21 and 55
  • have completed the equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma with a minimum of 12 years of education and/or training from a recognized institution and/or authority
  • provide proof of sufficient English or French language proficiency to be employable and functional in Nova Scotia upon arrival based on documentation of language proficiency
  • have a minimum of 3 years experience in farm ownership, farm management OR practical farming experience with skills relevant to Nova Scotia farming conditions.
  • have marketable skills to supplement farm income (or his/her spouse)
  • demonstrate that you have sufficient settlement supports and financial resources, including transferable funds in your name, in order to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses (if applicable) and to successfully establish yourself and your family in the agri-food sector.
  • have a minimum personal net worth of $150,000 (after relocation to Nova Scotia - before the farm is purchased).
  • make a minimum equity investment of $100,000 in a new or existing farming operation in capital assets (land, machinery) or working capital.
  • plan to establish a farm, purchase a farm or become partner in an existing farm business. If you invest in an existing farm business, you must control at least 33.33% and take an active part in the operation of the business.
  • submit a detailed agri-business plan with your application form. A template can be found at   http://gov.ns.ca/agri/bde/news/pdfs/AgriBusinessPlan.pdf
A qualifying farming business must demonstrate a minimum annual revenue of $10,000 CAD. Hobby farms are not eligible.
You need to come for a minimum of one 5 working days exploratory visit for Nova Scotia to explore farming opportunities. During this visit, you will meet with representatives of the Department of Agriculture who will inform and guide you in the Nova Scotia agri-food sector. You will also have an interview with a nominee officer from the Office of Immigration who will provide you with information about the application process.

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Province wants immigrants

Newfoundland and Labrador logoImage via WikipediaCompared with other provinces in Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador is experiencing greater difficulty attracting immigrants. The provincial government’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism is looking to get communities in on the effort, including Gander.
Topics :
Statistics Canada , Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism , Newfoundland and Labrador , Canada , Nova Scotia
Jamie Valvasori, the central region’s representative for the office, met with the Town’s economic and social development committee on Aug. 23 to speak about efforts to retain immigrants in the area.
According to notes from the meeting, Mr. Valvasori said the province is attracting many professionals who choose to move to larger centres. His office is now working on ways to make communities more welcoming to immigrants faced with living in a new place.
The Town has committed to working with his office on hosting a three-day workshop focusing on creating a welcoming community through specific initiatives.
According to Statistics Canada, 565 immigrants came to Canada from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. In the same time frame, the remaining three Atlantic Provinces welcomed many more immigrants. Nova Scotia attracted the most with 2,377, while New Brunswick welcomed 1,922 immigrants. Even Prince Edward Island, with almost one-quarter the population of Newfoundland and Labrador, managed to attract more immigrants – 1,793.
“While the numbers may be lower than other Atlantic provinces, we believe we’re seeing great progress.” - Minister Susan Sullivan
Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said she could not speak to the approach those provinces are taking.
“We’ve chosen to focus on skilled individuals who will make an economic, social, and cultural contribution to the province,” said Minister Sullivan. “We’re looking for people who are able to make that contribution and also people who have demonstrated a strong interest in staying in the province, and we think this approach will serve the immigrants and our province well.”
A major component of that approach is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which seeks to recruits immigrants with specialized skills that are also in demand. The minister said 53 per cent of immigrants that came through the program are living in St. John’s.
Numbers up
Since 2007, Minister Sullivan said immigration numbers have been increasing, moving from an average of 400 per year to over 600 in 2009 – with 700 expected in 2010.
“While the numbers may be lower than other Atlantic provinces, we believe we’re seeing great progress,” she said.
A Statistics Canada publication from February 2010 found Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest match rates in Canada for foreign-educated immigrants working in the field they were trained for at 60 per cent. Nova Scotia placed second in Canada with 40 per cent, while Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick were tied at fourth with 37 per cent. The Canadian average was 33 per cent for data collected in the 2006 Canadian census.
Minister Sullivan said this shows the province is a good option for immigrants looking to work in their chosen profession.
Rather than offer specific selling points as a province, she said the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism is using immigrants already here to sell Newfoundland and Labrador to others who may consider making a move. Its website currently offers video testimonials.
“They’re really inspiring examples of why it is that people have chosen to come and then decide to stay here,” said the minister.
She said a low population density constitutes a major attraction for foreigners coming to Newfoundland and Labrador, as many only have experience living in crowded cities. The videos also show people extolling the virtues of living in a place with a lower crime rate.
The efforts to create welcoming communities is being spearheaded by employees at the regional offices, said Minister Sullivan, as becoming a part of the community goes a long way in ensuring an immigrant will stay in an area.
“The workshops engage key stakeholders in the community who have an interest in the topic,” she said, adding the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism has already held a number of successful ones in other areas.
“What we’re learning form them is the stakeholders who’ve taken the opportunity to go and participate have all reported that these have exceptionally helped them in terms of understanding the immigration process, and helping those who come to settle into their communities.”
info@ganderbeacon.ca
By Andrew Robinson
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