MANITOBA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM FOR BUSINESS

August 2, 2013

Improvements Designed to Strengthen Program: Melnick

Improvements designed to significantly strengthen the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B) were announced today by Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick.
“Through this program, a significant number of newcomers have already successfullyestablished their businesses in Manitoba, creating jobs and contributing to the economic prosperity of our province,” said Melnick.  “The improvements announced today significantly strengthen our program and ensure that it is well positioned for immigration success for years to come.”
The program improvements introduce a new process whereby potential applicants will have the opportunity to submit an expression of interest and then be placed in a qualification group to be assessed against a points based system.  The strongest applicants will be invited to submit a complete application.  This process replaces the previous application system that required all applicants to first undertake an exploratory visit to Manitoba before applying.
The program changes respond to recent recommendations from the auditor general and are in addition to the strengthened integrity and quality assurance reviews that the department implemented in 2011 and include:

• establishing more stringent procedures to verify the validity of applications
•  providing more efficient monitoring of applicants once they arrive. 
• increasing the deposit required to $100,000 from $75,000, and
• introducing a new Farm Recruitment Initiative to facilitate the recruitment of farmer immigrants who are most likely to succeed in Manitoba.

“The changes are intended to attract quality entrepreneurs with the strongest commitment to Manitoba and the highest potential to contribute to the economic growth of the province,” said Melnick.  “We believe that these changes will strengthen the integrity of our program as well as the number of business startups and retention rate.”

The improvements will come into effect in the fall of 2013.  There will be a pause placed on the submission of new applications until the new criteria are in effect which will allow for the continued processing of the many interested people who have already applied to the program.  While Manitoba is responsible for selecting those who are invited to apply to the program, the federal government ultimately processes and approves all applications for permanent residency.
Since the introduction of the MPNP-B program there have been over 593 businesses started and over $214 million in investments in the province.  This is a major contributor to maintaining vibrant regional communities in Manitoba with 31 per cent of investments made outside of Winnipeg including $98 million invested in farming.
More details on program improvements are available online at www.manitoba-canada.com.

- 30 -

September 16, 2012

PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW PRE-ARRIVAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES FOR PROVINCIAL NOMINEES

Shanghai—Premier Greg Selinger has announced a new pre-arrival strategy to better help prepare provincial nominees for labour-market integration before they arrive in Manitoba.  Selinger made the announcement here today at a pre-arrival settlement orientation and labour-market preparation session for provincial nominees destined to Manitoba.
“Already a leader in attracting and integrating provincial nominees, our government has been working to help provincial nominees arriving in Manitoba succeed and build a life there,” said Selinger.  “As part of this plan, Manitoba is pioneering the development of a series of pre-arrival initiatives that will assist provincial nominees to begin their employment and settlement planning prior to their arrival in Manitoba.”
As part of the initiative, provincial nominees destined for Manitoba will have access to the following pre-arrival programs and resources:

• A new settlement plan as part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program application process which will help potential nominees start planning how they will settle and find employment before they arrive in Manitoba.
• A new pre-arrival planning guide, which will empower nominees to take charge of their employment success by making an action plan for finding a job soon after arrival in their intended and alternate occupations, leveraging guided research into qualifications recognition and labour-market conditions and building on the plans made at time of application.
• Prior to arriving to Manitoba, provincial nominees will now be linked to Manitoba Start where they will be able to interact with employment councillors.  Once they arrive in Manitoba, they will continue their labour-market integration process at Manitoba Start.
• Access to pre-arrival settlement orientation and labour-market preparation services in China and 25 other countries through the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP).  Services include the development of a career plan based on Manitoba-specific, labour-market information and guidance on qualifications recognition procedures.  

Nominees will also continue to have access to Manitoba’s successful English Online language program which provides facilitated English-language training using Manitoba specific scenarios.  Students are able to interact with adult English-as-an-additional-language teachers based in Manitoba, who provide one-on-one guidance throughout the student’s training. 

“Our goal is to have our nominees working in their fields as soon as possible after arriving,” said Selinger.  “The more informed and prepared provincial nominees are before they arrive, the more likely they are tosucceed in finding employment quickly and to contribute immediately to Manitoba’s economy.”
CIIP is a partnership between the Province of Manitoba and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and is funded by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
Immigration from China has more than doubled since 2007; to 1,307 in 2011 from 609 in 2007.  In 2011, 91 per cent of total immigrants from China arrived through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

- 30 -