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.

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Refugees inject new life into empty places of worship

Canada has to thank newcomers for all the ways in which they energise the Canadian population and economic landscapes with their colours, foods, business-know-how and also for their spiritual enthusiasm.Many newcomers find solace in churches, mosques and temples which hitherto were threatened with closure to make way for more purposeful use.
    Newcomers not only find community in Churches but the Church appears to be a place where many needs and wants are fulfilled and appears to  make it a big part of their lives. Belief in God is stronger among newcomers than Canadian born or people who have lived here a long time.
  According to recent research the Presbyterian Church is a champion of sponsoring refugees and it has sponsored a significant number of the more than 200,000 refugees who came to this country over the past 25 years.  These refugees later become members of the Church and  help to keep many church doors open.  Church sponsorship has been eclipsed for the time being as the federal government attempts to deal with the backlog of applications.  However for now newcomers interest in matters of the spirit will keep their doors open for some time to come.
  

Immigrants fare better in rural areas

Although many immigrants like to settle in urban areas where they have more access to all kinds of services, community support and jobs opportunities, research shows that immigrants who live in small urban centres and rural areas tend to achieve economic integration much faster than immigrants living in large cities. The study by Stats Canada, also indicated that the income gap between immigrants and Canadians living in similar areas closed faster over time in smaller communities.
Think about that people.