Tool Box of Ideas
for Smaller Centres:
Attracting, Welcoming & Retaining
Immigrants to Your Community
Prepared by the National Working
Group on Small Centre Strategies
Funded by the Government of Canada
Snapshots of Rural Canada
Opportunities
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Why is Rural Canada Important
Importance of Immigration to Rural Canada
Statistical Snapshots of Immigrants in Rural
Canada
Welcoming Newcomers to Rural Canada
Why is Rural Canada important?
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A significant proportion of Canadians live and work in Rural Canada
19.8% of Canadians live in rural communities and represent 24% of Canada’s
total employment
In some regions, more than 50% live in Rural Canada (e.g. Atlantic
Region/Saskatchewan)
Rural communities are a strong contributor to Canada’s economy and
prosperity
95% of Canada’s natural and environmental resources are in Rural Canada:
Of the 1916 resource-reliant communities in Canada, 1686 or 88%, were
located in rural Canada
Resource-based sectors represent: 21% of Canada’s Gross Domestic
Product, 50% of Canada’s exports, which contributes substantially to Canada’s
positive trade balance
Rural Canada has a proven capacity to innovate with 60% of new small
businesses start in rural communities
Rural areas provide the location of many recreational and natural amenities
enjoyed by rural and urban
Why is immigration important to
Rural Canada?
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Historically, immigration/newcomers has impacted rural
population growth and depopulation
Resource-based industries (forestry, fishing, energy, mining and
agriculture) provided many opportunities for employment
Technological and economic developments reduced labour
demands
Today, rural communities are facing many additional pressures
in population decline – aging of the active population, youth
outmigration and falling birth rates.
Decreasing the size of the potential labour pool
Smaller tax base for municipalities
Rural communities are looking to immigration/newcomers as a
means to stimulate economic development and social institutions
and curb population loss
Tool Box Presentation
This Presentation will provide you with…
 An Introduction to the Tool Box
 Contents & Benefits of the Tool Box
 Some Tips on How to Become a
“Welcoming Community”
What is the Tool Box?
Created in 2005 by National Working Group
on Small Centre Strategies and funded by
Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC)
Designed to help small centres that wish
to attract, welcome and retain newcomer
immigrants and refugees
Provides ideas, resources, strategies & tools
for small centres to grow and prosper by
attracting immigrants
Who Uses the Tool Box?
The Tool Box
is for any self-identifying “small centre”
region that wishes to attract, welcome and
retain newcomer immigrants
Small Centers
can be a province, territory or town
such as:
• Newfoundland & Labrador (province)
• Red Deer, Alberta (small city)
• Trail, British Columbia (small town)
Benefits of the Tool Box
The Tool Box
is:
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User Friendly
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Resourceful and Practical
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Designed for use by a variety of community groups,
organizations, government officials, etc.
Flexible and Adaptable
A resource that can be used at any point in the
development of your community’s population strategy
Small Centres: Tool Box Users
Who Uses the Tool Box?
 Small Centres that wish to attract new residents and have support
& consensus from key community residents & stakeholders
Key Community Stakeholders
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Community Service Groups
Businesses
Settlement Agencies
Faith based organizations
Local government officials
School boards, universities, colleges
CHAPTER 1:
Introducing the Tool Box
Includes:
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Purpose and Background of the Tool Box
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Global and National Population Trends and Context
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Website links to national & global immigration trends
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Strategies and Reality Checks for your Community
Did You Know?
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Due to Canada’s decreasing birth rate, immigration will
account for Canada’s net population growth after 2020
CHAPTER 2:
Building the Foundations
Includes:
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Strategies & Steps to Build Support in Communities
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Refugee and Immigration Trends in Canada
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Immigration Information- how it works & who is eligible
Did You Know?
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In 2006 251,511 new immigrants arrived in Canada BUT
less than 10% settled in rural areas
CHAPTER 3:
Key Factors to Consider
Includes:
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Information on how to identify & promote key
factors such as family ties; employment or housing
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How to identify & manage barriers that may
discriminate against newcomers
Did You Know?
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Providing cross-cultural or inter-cultural training for staff of local
businesses, government & service organizations can contribute to
your community meeting the needs of international newcomers
CHAPTER 4:
Attracting Migrants
Includes:
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How to promote your community to immigrants
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Canada’s Immigration Categories
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Information on International Students & Temporary
Foreign Workers
Did You Know?
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Immigrants enter Canada under one of 7 different categories
including: Skilled Worker; Business; Provincial Nominee Program;
Live in Caregiver; Family; Refugee; or “Other”
Chapter 5:
The Welcoming Community
Includes:
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Resources to welcome newcomers in your community
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Cultural Competency Checklists for business & government
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Promotional Ideas and Events for your community to use
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Practical Steps to welcome newcomers in your community
Did You Know?
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English or French as a Second Language instruction & acquisition is
critical in the successful adaptation & integration of newcomers.
2009 Permanent Residents to
Canada
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Total number of permanent residents to Canada:
252,179.
Percentage breakdown by province (top 4): Ontario
(44.9); Quebec (18.3); B.C. (17.8); Alberta (9.8).
Top 3 source countries: China (29,044); Philippines
(27,271); India (26,118).
Other top 10 source countries: USA, UK, France,
Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Morocco.
Percentage breakdown by immigration category:
Economic (45.8); Family (39.4); Refugees (8.3); Other
(6.5).
2009 Permanent Residents in Alberta
2009 Total Immigrants to Alberta: 27,017
Family Class - 12611
Economic Class - 25915
Refugees - 1633
Other - 1579
2009 Permanent Residents Top Destinations
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Medicine Hat
169
Lethbridge:
483
Calgary:
13,708
Edmonton:
8,508
Red Deer:
537
Other:
3,612
Alberta Total: 27,017
Become a “Welcoming Community”
Key questions to consider as first steps towards becoming
a “Welcoming Community…”
 What would a diverse & growing town look like?
 What could immigrants contribute to your town?
 What are some ways to attract and welcome
immigrants to your town?
 What would keep newcomer immigrants here once
they arrive?
“Welcoming Community”
Barriers to successful settlement
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Barrier Factors
Official language ability
Labour market integration:
 Credential recognition
 Workplace communication
skills
 Canadian work experience
Lack of accurate and timely
information
Social networks and engagement
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Two types:
Individual level
 Language abilities
 Life skills
 Community networks
Systemic barriers
 Credential recognition
 Workplace culture
 Recognition of work
experience
What is Your
Community’s Vision?
Benefits
Challenges
For
Immigrant
Newcomers
For the
Community
Note: Optional slide to be used if presenter has time to ask audience to “brainstorm” and consider the benefits and challenges of Welcoming Newcomers
Steps taken by small communities in
the Alberta Northeast Region toward becoming
Welcoming Communities
Implementing a Welcoming and Inclusive
Community
-Community events (potlucks, Canada Day
breakfast)
-Publications (Welcome to Bonnyville)
-Information sessions for newcomers
-Research (community focus group)
Attracting and Retaining Immigrants: A Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller
Centres, 2nd Edition
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Immigration is important for Canada. It may be vital for your community.
Help is available based on current best thinking.
A number of government and non-government immigration professionals from
across Canada have developed a Tool Box of information and practical ideas to
help your community attract and retain new people. The Tool Box will help you
understand the challenging environment of laws and realities in which inmigration can happen. It is available for free.
Prepared by the National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies
Funded by the Government of Canada (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Tool Box of Ideas:
Access & Information
To order the Tool Box please contact:
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
930 Balmoral Road Victoria, BC V8T 1A9
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Email: info@icavictoria.org
• Phone: (250) 388-4728
• Fax:
(250) 386-4396
• Internet: www.icavictoria.org
•Or click on the following link:
•http://integration-net.ca/english/ini/wci-idca/tbo/index.htm
Funded by the Government of Canada
Tool Box
This is only the beginning, the end result and success of a
Welcoming Community will come with a great deal of efforts from
this group and the other ones who will join later.
“Welcoming communities are the reflection of the
community itself and the commitment of its members
to become one”.
Tool Box
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!
If you have any question or inquiries regarding today’s presentation
on: Attracting, Welcoming & Retaining Immigrants to Your Community
Tool Box, you can contact:
SERGIO GAGGERO
AE&I Business Industry Liaison Specialist
Edmonton Region – West Area.
PHONE # 780-415-6343