Released on November 6, 2006
The Government of Saskatchewan is partnering with the Battlefords business community to improve settlement supports for newcomers in the area.As part of this partnership, the province is contributing $10,000 to fund a part-time Immigration Co-ordinator position on a one-year pilot-project basis. This contribution will be matched by the Battlefords business community.
"Through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, the province is working with employers and businesses to bring in the skilled labour required to meet the demands of a growing economy," Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson said. "But settling and retaining newcomers in our communities is as important as recruiting them.
"This new position serves as an example of how government and businesses are working together to support communities and encourage economic growth."
"Businesses in the Battlefords have been using the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program to address their growing labour market needs." Battlefords Chamber of Commerce president Rob Rongve said. "The Battlefords business community welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with the provincial government on local immigration initiatives. By cost-matching provincial funding for the Immigration Co-ordinator position, employers will be able to provide our community a competitive edge when it comes to attracting and retaining immigrants."
Over the past year, the immigrant community in the Battlefords has grown substantially. Once all the applicants' family members arrive, over 120 newcomers will have made the Battlefords their home.
The Immigration Co-ordinator will work out of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Battlefords Immigration Committee. Building on the ongoing efforts of the Ruthenian (Ukrainian) community in the Battlefords, the Immigration Co-ordinator will assist recent and new immigrants with settlement issues, which will encourage recent arrivals to make the Battlefords their permanent home.
The Battlefords Immigration Committee, a volunteer committee that was established in the spring of 2006, has been working closely with the Immigration Branch to ensure appropriate supports are in place to facilitate community efforts to settle and integrate newcomers into the social and economic life of their community as quickly as possible.
The Government of Saskatchewan has launched a bold strategy to attract 5,000 immigrants to the province annually, by 2008. The province is on-track to exceed its goal of 800 nominees for 2006-2007.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Jill Tzupa Advanced Education and Employment Regina Phone: 306-787-1331 Email: jtzupa@sasked.gov.sk.ca |