Tool Box of Ideasfor Smaller Centres: Attracting, Welcoming & Retaining

Immigrants to Your Community

Funded by the Government of Canada

Prepared by the National Working Group on Small Centre

Strategies

Snapshots of Rural Canada Opportunities

Why is Rural Canada Important Importance of Immigration to Rural Canada Statistical Snapshots of Immigrants in Rural

Canada Welcoming Newcomers to Rural Canada

Why is Rural Canada important?

A significant proportion of Canadians live and work in Rural Canada 19.8% of Canadians live in rural communities and represent 24% of Canada’s

total employment In some regions, more than 50% live in Rural Canada (e.g. Atlantic

Region/Saskatchewan) Rural communities are a strong contributor to Canada’s economy and

prosperity 95% of Canada’s natural and environmental resources are in Rural Canada: Of the 1916 resource-reliant communities in Canada, 1686 or 88%, were located

in rural Canada Resource-based sectors represent: 21% of Canada’s Gross Domestic

Product, 50% of Canada’s exports, which contributes substantially to Canada’s positive trade balance

Rural Canada has a proven capacity to innovate with 60% of new small businesses start in rural communities

Rural areas provide the location of many recreational and natural amenities enjoyed by rural and urban

Why is immigration important toRural Canada? Historically, immigration/newcomers has impacted rural

population growth and depopulation Resource-based industries (forestry, fishing, energy, mining and

agriculture) provided many opportunities for employment Technological and economic developments reduced labour

demands Today, rural communities are facing many additional pressures

in population decline – aging of the active population, youth outmigration and falling birth rates.

Decreasing the size of the potential labour pool Smaller tax base for municipalities Rural communities are looking to immigration/newcomers as a

means to stimulate economic development and social institutions and curb population loss

An Introduction to the Tool BoxAn Introduction to the Tool Box

Some Tips on How to Become a Some Tips on How to Become a “ “Welcoming Community”Welcoming Community”

Contents & Benefits of the Tool Contents & Benefits of the Tool BoxBox

Tool Box PresentationTool Box Presentation

This Presentation will provide you with…

Created in 2005 by National Working Group Created in 2005 by National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies and funded by on Small Centre Strategies and funded by Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC)Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC)

Designed to help small centres that Designed to help small centres that wish wish to attract, welcome and retain to attract, welcome and retain newcomer newcomer immigrants and refugeesimmigrants and refugeesProvides ideas, resources, strategies & Provides ideas, resources, strategies &

tools for small centres to grow and tools for small centres to grow and prosper by attracting immigrantsprosper by attracting immigrants

What is the Tool Box?

Who Uses the Tool Box?

is for any self-identifying “small is for any self-identifying “small centre” region that wishes to attract, welcome centre” region that wishes to attract, welcome and retain newcomer immigrantsand retain newcomer immigrants

can be a province, territory or can be a province, territory or town town such as:such as:

• Newfoundland & Labrador Newfoundland & Labrador

(province)(province)

• Red Deer, Alberta (small city)Red Deer, Alberta (small city)

• Trail, British Columbia (small Trail, British Columbia (small

town)town)

Small Small CentersCenters

The Tool BoxThe Tool Box

Benefits of the Tool Box

is:is:

User FriendlyUser Friendly

Resourceful and PracticalResourceful and Practical

Designed for use by a variety of community Designed for use by a variety of community groups, organizations, government officials, etc.groups, organizations, government officials, etc.

Flexible and AdaptableFlexible and Adaptable

A resource that can be used at any point in the A resource that can be used at any point in the development of your community’s population development of your community’s population strategystrategy

The Tool BoxThe Tool Box

Small Centres: Tool Box Users

Small Centres that wish to attract new residents and have support

& consensus from key community residents & stakeholders

Who Uses the Tool Box?Who Uses the Tool Box?

Key Community Key Community StakeholdersStakeholders► Community Service GroupsCommunity Service Groups

► BusinessesBusinesses► Settlement AgenciesSettlement Agencies► Faith based organizationsFaith based organizations► Local government officialsLocal government officials► School boards, universities, collegesSchool boards, universities, colleges

CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER 1: Introducing the Tool BoxIntroducing the Tool Box

Did You Know?

Due to Canada’s decreasing birth rate, immigration will

account for Canada’s net population growth after 2020

Includes:• Purpose and Background of the Tool Box

• Global and National Population Trends and Context

• Website links to national & global immigration trends

• Strategies and Reality Checks for your Community

CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: Building the FoundationsBuilding the Foundations

Did You Know?

In 2006 251,511 new immigrants arrived in Canada BUT

less than 10% settled in rural areas

Includes:

• Strategies & Steps to Build Support in Communities

• Refugee and Immigration Trends in Canada

• Immigration Information- how it works & who is eligible

CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 3: Key Factors to ConsiderKey Factors to Consider

Did You Know?

Providing cross-cultural or inter-cultural training for staff of local

businesses, government & service organizations can contribute to

your community meeting the needs of international newcomers

Includes: • Information on how to identify & promote key

factors such as family ties; employment or housing

• How to identify & manage barriers that may

discriminate against newcomers

CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: Attracting MigrantsAttracting Migrants

Did You Know?

Immigrants enter Canada under one of 7 different categories

including: Skilled Worker; Business; Provincial

Nominee Program;

Live in Caregiver; Family; Refugee; or “Other”

Includes:• How to promote your community to immigrants

• Canada’s Immigration Categories

• Information on International Students & Temporary

Foreign Workers

Includes:

Chapter 5:The Welcoming Community

Did You Know?

English or French as a Second Language instruction & acquisition is

critical in the successful adaptation & integration of newcomers.

• Resources to welcome newcomers in your community

• Cultural Competency Checklists for business & government

• Promotional Ideas and Events for your community to use

• Practical Steps to welcome newcomers in your community

2009 Permanent Residents to Canada

Total number of permanent residents to Canada: 252,179.

Percentage breakdown by province (top 4): Ontario (44.9); Quebec (18.3); B.C. (17.8); Alberta (9.8).

Top 3 source countries: China (29,044); Philippines (27,271); India (26,118).

Other top 10 source countries: USA, UK, France, Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Morocco.

Percentage breakdown by immigration category: Economic (45.8); Family (39.4); Refugees (8.3); Other (6.5).

2009 Permanent Residents in Alberta

2009 Total Immigrants to Alberta: 27,017

Family Class - 12611 Economic Class - 25915 Refugees - 1633 Other - 1579

2009 Permanent Residents Top Destinations

Medicine Hat 169 Lethbridge: 483 Calgary: 13,708 Edmonton: 8,508 Red Deer: 537 Other: 3,612 Alberta Total: 27,017

Become a “Welcoming Community”Become a “Welcoming Community”

What would a diverse & growing town look like?

What could immigrants contribute to your town?

What would keep newcomer immigrants here once they arrive?

What are some ways to attract and welcome immigrants to your town?

Key questions to consider as first steps towards becoming a “Welcoming Community…”

““Welcoming Community”Welcoming Community”

Barriers to successful settlement Barrier Factors

Official language ability Labour market integration:

Credential recognition Workplace communication

skills Canadian work experience

Lack of accurate and timely information

Social networks and engagement

Two types: Individual level

Language abilities Life skills Community networks

Systemic barriers Credential recognition Workplace culture Recognition of work

experience

What is Your Community’s Vision?

Benefits Challenges

ForImmigrantNewcomers

For the Community

Note: Optional slide to be used if presenter has time to ask audience to “brainstorm” and consider the benefits and challenges of Welcoming Newcomers

Steps taken by small communities in the Alberta Northeast Region toward becomingWelcoming Communities

Implementing a Welcoming and Inclusive Community

-Community events (potlucks, Canada Day breakfast)

-Publications (Welcome to Bonnyville)-Information sessions for newcomers-Research (community focus group) 

Attracting and Retaining Immigrants: A Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres, 2nd Edition

Immigration is important for Canada. It may be vital for your community. Help is available based on current best thinking.

A number of government and non-government immigration professionals from across Canada have developed a Tool Box of information and practical ideas to help your community attract and retain new people. The Tool Box will help you understand the challenging environment of laws and realities in which in-migration can happen. It is available for free.

Prepared by the National Working Group on Small Centre StrategiesFunded by the Government of Canada (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)

Tool Box of Ideas: Access & Information

To order the Tool Box please contact:Inter-Cultural Association of Greater VictoriaInter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria

930 Balmoral Road Victoria, BC V8T 1A9930 Balmoral Road Victoria, BC V8T 1A9

• Email: Email: info@icavictoria.org

• Phone: (250) 388-4728Phone: (250) 388-4728

• Fax: (250) 386-4396Fax: (250) 386-4396

• Internet: Internet: www.icavictoria.org

•Or click on the following link:Or click on the following link:•http://integration-net.ca/english/ini/wci-idca/tbo/index.htm

Funded by the Government of Canada

Tool Box

This is only the beginning, the end result and success of a Welcoming Community will come with a great deal of efforts from this group and the other ones who will join later.

“Welcoming Communities are the reflection of the community itself and the commitment of its members to become one”.

Tool Box

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!

If you have any question or inquiries regarding today’s presentation on: Attracting, Welcoming & Retaining Immigrants to Your Community Tool Box, you can contact:

SERGIO GAGGEROAE&I Business Industry Liaison SpecialistEdmonton Region – West Area.PHONE # 780-415-6343