The first workshop in the "Welcoming Communities Series" was a huge success, with a crowd of almost 30 people turning out to hear from program delivery and business speakers. The 2-hour session was opened by Regional Immigration Navigator Tanya Felix, who provided a brief update on newcomer settlement services available in the region. Vida Davis of the Service Canada Foreign Worker Unit provided an overview of the Temporary Work Permitting process that prompted a lively question and answer session with local businesses and stakeholders at the session. The session wrapped up with insights on the program from a business perspective from Godfrey Marchand of Halifax Biomedical in Mabou. Watch for announcements for the next in our series of "Welcoming Communities" workshops coming to a community near you!

Right to left: Speakers Godfrey Marchand, Halifax Biomedical and Vida Davis, Service Canada Foreign Worker Unit

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
February 8, 2010

Newcomer Settlement Project launching series of workshops

The Newcomer Settlement Project is hosting a series of free workshops to increase the profile of the regional immigration navigator and the positives that come with newcomers to our area. The first workshop, “Hiring temporary foreign workers” will be in Antigonish on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at the Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre in conference room A on the St. Francis Xavier University campus from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Vida Davis from Service Canada’s Foreign Worker Unit will cover hiring a temporary foreign worker to fill a skills storage and hiring to meet a labour shortage specifically in the seasonal agricultural workers program. Godfrey Marchand from Halifax BioMedical will speak as an employer who has experience in hiring temporary foreign workers. Information regarding work permits, matching skill sets, workplace and community activities to welcome and integrate new employees, and more will be covered.

“These workshops will be a great learning opportunity for our communities,” says Tanya Felix, regional immigration navigator. “We plan on hosting four of these sessions in total – one for every county and the topics will differ at each. Upcoming sessions will focus on settlement and integration, conducting business internationally, and creating welcoming communities.”

The Newcomer Settlement Project is an initiative shared by the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, the Antigonish Regional Development Authority (ARDA), and the Guysborough County Regional Development Authority.

The role of the regional immigration navigator is to provide support to newcomers as they make their transition to life in Canada. Felix acts as a starting point for anyone considering a move to the quad-county region that is Inverness, Richmond, Antigonish, and Guysborough counties. She also works with community groups, employers, and organizations in trying to make our communities more welcoming for newcomers and discusses options for hiring internationally.

This is the third year for the regional development authorities to be involved in the Newcomer Settlement Project and having a regional immigration navigator for the quad counties. This year, the project was proud to distribute a Relocation and Settlement Guide.
“The research for the guide started last year and was designed with immigrants and newcomers in mind,” says Felix. The guide includes information on climate, history and geography, culture and lifestyle, local amenities and services, and more.

“We distributed the guide throughout the four counties,” says Alisha Grant, development officer at ARDA. “It went to all of the municipalities, the university, community college, and the Strait Regional School Board, the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library, and even the realtors. The response has been amazing.”

“I must say that I was extremely happy to see that such a document exists,” says Heather MacKay, director of public relations at the Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority (GASHA). “GASHA will be using this guide electronically as part of our recruitment efforts – especially for physicians. We have recruitment fairs in Halifax and Toronto in the coming months and this guide will be a wonderful resource for anyone looking to settle in GASHA.”

The Relocation and Settlement Guide and other project related information are available at the regional development authorities or online at www.immigrationnavigator.ns.ca and www.antigonishrda.ns.ca/comingto.

Anyone who is interested in attending the “Hiring temporary foreign workers” workshop in Antigonish is asked to RSVP by Friday, February 12th. RSVP by phone: 863-3330 or by e-mail: arda@antigonishrda.ns.ca. There is no cost to attend and a light lunch will be provided.

For more information, please contact:

Tanya Felix
Regional Immigration Navigator
Phone: 902-625-3929, ext. 6
E-mail: tanya.felix@immigrationnavigator.ns.ca.