June 19, 2019 - Halifax, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Attracting and retaining newcomers is critical to increasing Atlantic Canada's skilled workforce, strengthening the cultural diversity of communities and growing the regional economy. New immigrant employees and their families are more likely stay if they feel welcomed and valued as an integral part of their chosen community. That is why the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) is working with businesses across the province to implement a welcoming and onboarding process for new immigrant employees.
ISANS has hired a four-person mobile team to provide customized services and resources to employers. Team members based in Truro, Kentville, Yarmouth and Bridgewater will work in partnership with local communities to help employers hire, welcome and retain new immigrants. They will also support the settlement of newcomers and their families in Nova Scotia. Services will include cultural competency training, a range of print and online toolkits, employer assessments, and addressing language and communication needs.
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, announced federal support for this project on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will create good, middle class jobs in our country. It is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"The Government of Canada is pleased do its part to help attract and retain new immigrant workers and their families to Nova Scotia, and make them feel welcome so they can prosper in their new home. ISANS' efforts support the objectives of the Atlantic Growth Strategy to help build inclusive communities where all people can participate and businesses can thrive in a global economy."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The Atlantic Immigration Pilot was created to help employers attract newcomers to come and stay in Atlantic Canada. This support will help people coming from all over the world make Nova Scotia their forever home."
- The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
"Last year, Nova Scotia saw its highest numbers of immigration in over 20 years. This is great progress; however, we must ensure that newcomers get the support they need to settle in and call our province home. This new onboarding program will help achieve that as we continue to grow the population to contribute to a successful economy."
- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
"Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia is pleased to work with businesses in communities throughout Nova Scotia to welcome and retain immigrant talent. With this funding, ISANS will be able to expand its innovative business services in small and rural centres, while building a community where all can belong and grow."
- Jennifer Watts, Chief Executive Officer, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Quick facts
-
The ISANS program looks to facilitate the hiring of immigrant workers for the many small and medium-sized enterprises that have limited human resource capacity to support onboarding initiatives. This approach also helps integrate the newcomers' families into the local community.
-
The program hopes to engage over 190 employers in mainland Nova Scotia.
-
The Government of Canada is providing non-repayable contributions of $228,332, through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund, and $157,106 from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, for the project.
-
The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
-
The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
