Strategies for retention top priority at immigration meeting in Moncton

Immigration officials, academics and community organizations are convening at the Delta Beauséjour, in Moncton this week, to look at strategies to grow New Brunswick’s population through immigration.

The full day meeting on November 16th includes presentations from the province’s Chief Economist, David Campbell, and the newly appointed Assistant Deputy Minister for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Robert Kelly.

Through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, launching in January 2017, New Brunswick hopes to welcome more than 640 additional immigrants, along with their families, to address shortfalls in the labour market.

“This project is going to require all New Brunswickers, including the employers, the ‎settlement agencies and municipalities, to work together” said Mike Timani, President of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.

“The key measure of success is going to be retention, but the ground work is already started for this: we have had excellent collaboration between all levels of government and community for welcoming our Syrian neighbours, and now we just need to build on that momentum,” added Timani.

‎Presentations will also look at experiences of immigrant women in New Brunswick; how school environments are adapting to increasing diversity; strategies to increase francophone immigration in our province; selection criteria for immigrants who perform well in New Brunswick; and many more.