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CIC News / 2016 / October / Rural Areas and Small Cities Across Canada Eager to Attract More Newcomers

Rural Areas and Small Cities Across Canada Eager to Attract More Newcomers

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morden-mbThe latest Canadian government statistics reveal that more active immigration strategies at a local level may be necessary in order to attract more immigrants to rural areas. Several small cities and towns in central Canada have already created local immigration strategies to attract newcomers. Now, other municipalities across the country are taking note of the positive results.

In 2015, more than three-quarters of new permanent residents to Canada landed in just seven cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. The government of Canada is looking to change that, however. Fortunately, the provinces are also on board.

Canada’s Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, has stated that — in addition to the record numbers of new immigrants who have landed over the past year — the government hopes to welcome even more newcomers to Canada. But the government hopes to lure these immigrants to other locations, with Minister McCallum citing labour market shortages and aging populations as reasons to populate certain regions.

“We would like to spread the immigrants across the country relatively evenly. The last thing we want is that every immigrant either goes to Toronto or Vancouver,” said McCallum at a recent roundtable discussion. “There’s a significant feeling that Canada does need more immigrants, partly because we have an aging population, and so we need more young blood to keep our economies going.”

The situation is urgent in Atlantic Canada, where population growth from 2011 to 2014 was close to zero in all provinces except Prince Edward Island. Over the past couple of years, Nova Scotia has reacted by developing a dynamic and growing Provincial Nominee Program (the Nova Scotia Nominee Program). Earlier this year, Canada’s Atlantic provinces announced a new pilot program to facilitate the entry of more immigrants through the PNPs. The plan is part of a new Atlantic Growth Strategy.

Of the larger provinces, in 2015 new immigrants generally settled in urban areas:

  • In British Columbia, 88.6% of immigrants settled in Vancouver, Victoria, or Abbotsford-Mission.
  • In Alberta, 84.8% of immigrants settled in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, or Lethbridge.
  • In Saskatchewan, 67.3% of immigrants settled in Regina or Saskatoon.
  • In Manitoba, 83.2% of immigrants settled in Winnipeg.
  • In Ontario, 94.2% of immigrants settled in Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, or Windsor.
  • In Quebec, 91.6% of immigrants settled in Montreal, Quebec City, or Trois-Rivières.

urban

Governments (federal and provincial) believe that these settlement patterns drive up property prices, create demographic challenges, and are not as responsive to labour market needs as could be the case.

A case study: Morden, Manitoba

A small city in southern Manitoba, Morden, with a population of just over 9,000, is bucking the national trend in its effort to attract and retain new immigrants. The Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative (MCDII) has so far been a great success, with immigrants arriving to this Pembina Valley community for two main reasons: quality of life and jobs.

In 2011, Morden’s population was just 7,800. Since then, the population of the area, including the neighbouring city of Winkler, has increased by 3,000, thanks in part to immigration initiatives like the MCDII.

Operating at a local level, the criteria for selecting newcomers are rather different from those used by the federal government. The MCDII favours community connections, and candidates who may not be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), or other federal programs, may be eligible to apply within the scope of the MCDII, which identifies potential candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

Morden targets workers in certain occupations. At the time of writing, these occupations include manufacturing jobs, cabinetmakers, factory sewing machine operators, and heavy vehicle mechanics. For a full list of eligibility requirements, click here.

Examples to follow

“Morden is the canary in the coalmine. Other municipalities across the country are looking at how its immigration drive brings positive results, both for the labour market and the community, and seeing whether similar strategies would work for their own towns and cities. Ultimately, these sorts of initiatives are what is needed, both for the existing communities and new immigrants alike,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“At a provincial level, Nova Scotia is certainly leading the way. It has recognized the challenge of changing demographics and a shifting labour market and has reacted with gusto. It has successfully lobbied for a larger PNP allocation and is now trying to reach out to towns and cities outside Halifax to bring them into the decision-making process.”

To learn more about your Canadian immigration options, please fill out a free online assessment today.

© 2016 CICnews All Rights Reserved

 

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Comments

  1. HOW TO KNOW WHEN A PNP PROGRAM OPENS AND CLOSES. FOR HOW LONG WILL IT BE OPEN.

  2. HI sir
    i did Master’s degree and computer Literate
    and my wife is Senior Head Nurse in children hospital here in Karachi Pakistan her working experience
    is 28 yrs and recently she did her BSc-Nursing degree program kindly accommodate us there and oblige
    thanks and waiting for your sweet response thanks sir

  3. I am at extreme odds with the U.S. government. There are extremely evident and serious and systemic (as well as niche pockets of) corruption and isolationist unethical behavior. I am a certified pharmacy technician with a sound and comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy profession from an arts and sciences standpoint. I would welcome relocation to even a rural area of Canada if my immigration could be sponsored or facilitated accordingly. I am a U.S. citizen and born a U.S. citizen. The state of affairs between the established leadership and especially the authorities and the civilian population (I am a citizen without armed forces or policing experience) is one of isolationist hostility and growing discontent and irrevocable alienation, especially along the color line. (I am not a minority, yet I routinely experience reverse discrimination, testament to the divisiveness which goes unabated and unaddressed with any legitimate and sustainable solution.)

  4. How do I get Canadian Visa from Nigeria.
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    Pls, I would like to know steps to take to get the Visa at a shortest possible time.
    Thanks

  5. Hi,please i would like to get a job in one of these rural areas.I am an optometrist looking for an optometrist assistant job in any city or community in canada.I am very hardworking and willing to relocate.I lld be very grateful if you can be of help.Thank you sir

  6. still I think .. that its a flawed law here today in the year2016 there I’m sorry to say this here. I’m from the us of a and I’m trying soooo hard to reside there as I am performing artist ,singer etc etc etcccc ! what can I do to make my self profitable in your country there.? I’m totally confused !!

  7. I like to work in a country like canada…..

  8. I am trying desperately to move to Canora, Saskatchewan. I got informed I could not even go visit my fiance at the border as I was turned away. If anybody has any idea how I could get a temporary resident visa so I can become a full citizen I would appreciate the help.

  9. can i apply for rural area in Canada.

  10. Hello sir, we are a family of 4 persons me 61 wife 56 son 28 and his wife 27.
    We are having funds about 35 lacs indian currency. Can we settle in rural Canada Alberta city.
    Thanks

  11. Hello I would want that you urge to help me to take advantage of this program of immigration Canada because I dream of his(her,its) for a long time about it for I request your help(assistant).

  12. It is the best idea for the economy of canada.I have applied for immigration to canada. Mr. Devid cohen responded. I hope I will be there as soon as possible.

  13. Please I want to find out the small cities and locals in Manitoba that are in need of civil engineering for her provincial nominations as am a Civil Engineer with 5years of experience in management, construction, supervision and monitoring with great knowledge in QHSE.

  14. Good day,
    I am a Nigerian, chartered ACCOUNTANT(ACA). chartered banker(ACIB) with well over 10 years experience in financial services industries in Nigerian. My wife is a registered Nurse and midwife. She has 9 years experience in nursing and midwife practice covering orthopedic, dialysis, etc. We are interested in coming to Canada. We have strong appetite for our profession and agriculture. We intend further our studies and also work. How may be helped in achieving this? I am 42 years old and my wife is 36 years.

  15. Greeting to citizens of Canada who welcome other people from an other part of the world. I can’t wait for someone to tell me Canada because I’m now trying my best on how I will be able to come to Canada. I’m also wishing to find a love partner in Canada

  16. My daughter has done MBBS( medical graduation). She is a doctor .She wants to move to Canada for post graduation.Please advise us how and where to apply and the requirements.

    Regards

  17. Hello my dear ! I am a medical laboratory from Congo and would like to migrate to Canada may you please assist me for immigration and I am currently in botswana.please I need your assistance. Thank you in advance

  18. Which program is available now?

  19. Hloo sir I am working as lecturer in college and have experience of 6 years. I have done m phil in chemistry. Can i have immigration to vancouver. Pls reply me

  20. Hi sir..
    can i apply for work visa rural area in Canada with LMAI process.I am graduate of economics & commerce from University, I have skill development & marketing experience knowledge.
    Pls, I would like to know steps to take to get the Visa at a shortest possible time.
    Thanks

  21. Hello,
    I am a real estate appraisal and a registered Estate surveyor and valuer in Nigeria.l am presently working with a government establishment but will like to work and acquire more knowledge in my profession .Please how can I start the processing of getting a visa to Canada.

    Thanks.

  22. Thanks for this information. I will fill in for d free on line assessment form .

  23. I m from India I want my children study ni Canada they are 9 and 13 year old how to process

  24. Sir,
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  25. Hi sir,i am father of five children and a wife having an experience of 31years of furniture and any carpentry work and my wife is a teacher and a midwife of 23years of experience and and a graduate children a college and university as well and looking forward for canada stay.please i will be looking forward your goodwill reply thanks.

  26. Hi
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    Professional cooker pastry chef
    12 years in the kitchen
    I want to life work in Canada
    Thanks

  27. am Akin from Nigeria. am a Business man. i want to come to canada to invest. please contact me with good company in canada that can help me.

  28. i want to immigrate in canada im mechanical engg.and an enterpreneur.kindly help me

  29. I’m a doctor from Bangladesh. I want to know in the meantime I’ll appear in MCCEE exam, which type of work I can do there, in Canada? And, Which immigration process I should apply ? And, one more query is, can I get any scholarship in any medical field? Thanks in advance.

  30. I have experience driving trucks/lorries for 10 years, driving bus for about 8 years and taxi for 5 years. I strongly believe that with my experience I am employable in any part of Canada. Since I am a bachelor I would like to migrate to Canada. Your advise and assistance is very much appreciated.

  31. I want come to Canada.please help me for visa,with my family

  32. Dear Sir
    I am MBA graduate studied in UK , National Louis University- USA Degree, 42 years old Bangladeshi Origin, Living and working in UAE since 13 years. Working in Bank Customer Service Manager ( Loan Officer) 10 years. I have IELTS average 6. WES credential evealuation obtained.
    I am looking forward to migrate to Canada any provinsional program like NOVA SCOTIA,Rural Areas and Small Cities Across Canada. with my existing portfolio.
    I am Married, My spouse 39 years old is also gradute from British Columbia Open University- Canada ( Distance Degree) she has IELTS average 7. I have 3 children ( 11 years/ 7 years/ 1.5 Years old).
    please advice any option open for me with my profile.

  33. I have been in Canada for 7 years and would like to move in a small town. I just don’t know where. Where could I find more information on town and areas who want to attract immigrants?