Webinar agenda Immigrant Futures: Regional Strategies for Northern - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Webinar agenda

Immigrant Futures: Regional Strategies for Northern Attraction and Retention

• 1. Presentation by Christina Zefi, former Research Analyst,

Northern Policy Institute

• 2. Presentation by Cathy Woodbeck, Executive Director,

Thunder Bay Multicultural Association

• 3. Presentation by Meg Ramore, Project Coordinator, North

Bay Local Immigration Partnership

• 4. Q&A moderated by Kim Turner, Cities of Migration, Ryerson

University (Toronto, Canada)

Webinar recording will be available on the website: www.citiesofmigration.ca

Northern Attraction Series

By: Christina Zefi

Community Strategies

Nipissing, -2.0% Parry Sound, 7.3% Manitoulin, 16.1% Sudbury, -15.4% Greater Sudbury, -1.5% Timiskaming, -14.7% Cochrane, -14.5% Algoma, -9.1% Ontario, 25.1%

• 20%
• 15%
• 10%
• 5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016

NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

Source: Statistics Canada, Census, various years

Cumulated Population Growth Since 1996 by District

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Thunder Bay, -7.3% Rainy River, -13.2% Kenora, 3.5% Ontario, 25.1%

• 20%
• 15%
• 10%
• 5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016

Cumulated Population Growth Since 1996 by District

Source: Statistics Canada, Census, various years

Research Results:

Regional Approaches to Immigration:

The Southwest Regional Immigration Committee by Laurie Block, Rural Development Institute, 2010

• Economic Development

Officers

• Community Development

Corporations

• City Councilors
• Manitoba Agricultural, Food

and Rural Initiative

Towns in Manitoba: Community Leaders: Identified Challenges:

1. Virden 2. Melita 3. Boissevain 4. Rivers 5. Souris 6. Pipestone 7. Deloraine

• Each community has unique

challenges to overcome and goals to achieve

• Defensive postures or “home

turf” issues

Key players expressed a shared interest for a collaborative and regional approach to newcomer attraction

Research Results: Regional Approaches to Immigration

“The Southwest Regional Immigration Committee” Laurie Block, Rural Development Institute, 2010 1. Prepare for newcomers 2. Involve the greater community through raising awareness on newcomer initiatives 3. Plan and execute population growth strategies by marketing community pull factors 4. Tap into existing populations of immigrants and create a “lessons learned” to address any challenges settling future newcomers 5. Assess the population growth strategies to find out what is working 6. Involve the business community

Research Results:

Regional Approaches to Immigration:

The Southwest Regional Immigration Committee by Laurie Block, Rural Development Institute, 2010

Source: Statistics Canada, Census Program, 2011 & 2016

Research Results:

In order to break down employment barriers for immigrants and international students, small to medium enterprises need more support.

Option 1:

Dedicate 2 – 4 federal or provincial employees to run workshops or meetings for employers to assist them with navigating the OINP to access international talent.

Option 2:

“Train the Trainers”: Local Chambers of Commerce, community volunteers,

• r economic development officers can be trained to assist businesses in

completing paperwork related to accessing OINP programs.

Research Results:

In order to break down employment barriers for immigrants and international students, small to medium enterprises need more support.

National Connector Program

• 1. Local immigrant serving organizations and post-secondary career

centers refer employment-ready participants (Connectees) to the program.

• 2. Program staff coach the Connectee and match them with a Connector

in their field.

• 1. The Connector and Connectee meet face-to-face. After the meeting,

the Connector links the participant to at least three other people in their business network. Those three people also refer three more people to the Connectee.

Research Results:

There is a need to actively and aggressively market Northern Ontario’s strengths, diversity, and potential.

Conclusion:

The suggested strategies are meant to add to the great work already taking place in the region to attract and retain newcomers.

• Northwestern Immigration Portal: “Talk Too” chat function
• Thunder Bay Multicultural Association: Online language classes

and settlement services

• Post-Secondary Institutions: Immigration advisors, training

programs, and international agents

• International Recruitment Fairs
• Secondary Migration
• Official Languages Action Plan: Enhance Francophone minority

communities through immigration

Thank you. Merci. Miigwetch. Marci. www.northernpolicy.ca

/ NorthernPolicy @NorthernPolicy Northern Policy Institute northernpolicy Monthly e- newsletter

Northwestern Ontario is larger than the combined size of the United Kingdom and France with a widely dispersed population of 250,000 in 36 communities.

+

 Plenty of employment, not enough employees. Unemployment

numbers and participation rates compare well with the provincial and national averages. Unemployment at 5.1% in 2018 and a participation rate of 64%, compared to provincial numbers of 5.6 and 64.5.

 Business succession – owners wanting to retire.  Growing economies and sectors in the region such as bio-

medical and mining.

 Population growth is non-existent. Require 5,000 people per

year over the next 10 years. We are acutely aware of the demographic pressures we are facing. More deaths than births since 2007 and low immigration =low growth

 Loss of savings if they stay in high cost of living

cities without sufficient employment income.

 Housing availability and the hope of purchasing a

home.

 Way of life choices such as house vs apartment,

• wning rather than renting etc.

 Employment for both adults in a family.  Availability of services for newcomers such as

language acquisition, settlement, and employment.

 Rural vs urban living.

Northern Policy Institute Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0090-01 Labour force characteristics by province, territory and economic region, annual

Northern Policy Institute Source: Table #43-10-0013-01, Statistics Canada

50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Retention Rate After 3 Years Since Admission in Northeast and Northwest

NE 3 year since admission NW 3 year since admission

Northern Policy Institute Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census, Community Data Program Custom Tabulations

Cost of living and cost of housing. Availability of programs and services – Language classes

• Day Care
• settlement services

Employment – employers becoming more involved in the recruitment of newcomers. No wrong door practice developed. All services and agencies are aware

• f all programs available and case manage together.

Community involvement, desire to help and mentor newcomers.

We have been working hard on consolidating committees and reducing silos. There is a concerted effort to work together as a community and as a region to attract people.

LIP - 36 municipalities participate in our Immigration Partnership with representatives from municipal government, economic development, agencies or service providers in the community and a number of interested businesses and social service offices. Success of the Refugee Resettlement Assistance Program Employment Connections RAP clients assisted with employment search – 98 Number of RAP clients currently employed as a result – 82

How do you make sense of it all and bring them together in one cohesive community plan? Quarter back, Conductor or Bus driver You need a connected coordinator and active participants on the small group. Champions in the various sectors – economic development

• settlement
• employment
• housing

Employment Housing Education Health Care Social Services Welcoming Community recreation Settlement and Integration Municipalities All are involved in the growth strategy.

Developing an inventory of existing physical and social aspects of each community throughout the Northwest is being conducted to identify areas to be expanded in

• rder to accommodate population growth.

Developing individual community plans on how best to respond to those gaps. Develop a series of region wide or community cluster plans that will guide the overall approach to worker attraction (rolling up the local plans to ensure maximizing of resources). Begin the process of assisting each community in the retention aspects of growing the community or areas.

 Job aggregator  90% employment success  Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association

NOMA partnership

 Immigration Portal  Go To Thunder Bay  RNIP

Cathy Woodbeck TBMA (807) 345-0551 cathyw@thunderbay.org

Immigrant Futures: Regional Strategies for Northern Attraction and Retention

Community Loan Program Presentation

Meg Ramore (pronouns: she/her) North Bay & Area Local Immigration Partnership

Community Loan Program Presentation

North Bay, ON

• Gateway between northern and southern

Ontario -> ‘Gateway to the North’

• Population: North Bay 51,553 - Nipissing

District 83,150 - North Bay’s trading area 112,000

• Population percentage change from 2011

to 2016 North Bay: -3.9, Nipissing: -1.9

• Newcomer population: 1,665 (725
• economic. 740 family sponsor. 185
• refugees. 10 other)
• Diversified economy: advanced manufacturing, aviation & aerospace, education,

health sciences, information communication technology, and mining supply & service. Other key sectors include construction, film and television, forestry, public administration, trade and commerce, transportation and tourism.

2016 Census data

Generating a new source of talent to fill a growing need for skilled workers in the area.

NorthBayImmigration.ca

You can have the career you were trained for. We can help.

• SKILLED NEWCOMER CAREER LOAN •

Program Overview

• Designed to help skilled newcomers living in the

Nipissing district upgrade their credentials so they can get back to work in their field while living in Nipissing district.

• The Skilled Newcomer Career Loan (SNCL)

– Character-based – Up to $5,000 – Payable over 3 years – Self-sustaining with growth potential Generating a new source of talent to fill a growing need for skilled workers in the area.

NorthBayImmigration.ca

Community Funded $20,000

NorthBayImmigration.ca

NorthBayImmigration.ca

The Details

• No Canadian credit history required
• Character-based
• Integrated into North Bay Immigration Portal
• Application is entirely online
• Online Eligibility Quiz
• Loan $ can be used for more than tuition,

credential assessments, and exam fees — i.e. snow tires, childcare, groceries, etc.

• Established through LIP project. Now

administered through local settlement agency

• Financial Literacy Guide with accompanying video

Eligibility

NorthBayImmigration.ca

• Newcomer to Canada (born outside Canada)
• Be a resident of Nipissing district (PR, Citizen)
• Internationally trained
• Previously worked in field in another country
• CLB level 7 (or include CLB upgrade plan in application)
• Researched what is required to work in field in Ontario
• Field is reasonably in demand in Nipissing District (with proof)
• Incapable of paying for themselves

• Repayment term of 3 years

— Interest only payments in year 1 — Interest rate of 7%

• No program fees
• No penalty for early re-payment

Loan Terms

NorthBayImmigration.ca

First Contact

Applicant contacts coordinator or visits northbayimmigration.ca.

Eligibility

Applicant identifies their eligibility online or through their settlement worker.

Online Application

Applicant creates login. Completes online application and work plan

• n northbayimmigration.ca.

Initial Assessment

Settlement worker ensures all information has been provided and eligibility requirements are met.

Interview

Applicant meets with 2-3 members

• f the LRC to assess character.

References & Recommendation

References checked. *LRC interviewers make recommendation to full LRC.

Full Review

All members of the LRC will complete a full review of application.

Outcome

Settlement worker will contact applicant to advise the

• utcome of the review.

Funds Released

Pending applicant completes all loan documents and provides required loan items.

Application Process

NorthBayImmigration.ca

*LRC=Loan Review Committee

• Guide and Video

Financial Literacy

NorthBayImmigration.ca

Takeaways

NorthBayImmigration.ca

★ Partners investing $$ in specific newcomers successful integration become invested in newcomers as a group ★ Adding a story to the investment has a multitude of benefits: ○ demystifies ‘the newcomer’ ○ highlights that newcomers offer skills and talent we need ○ draws attention to systemic barriers newcomers face ★ Newcomers lifting up Newcomers is important. ★ When a community invests directly into newcomers as individual people, investment becomes a tool to foster a sense of belonging

Meg Ramore (pronouns: she/her)

Skilled Newcomer Career Loan

705-495-8931 MegRamore@nbdmc.ca northbayimmigration.ca

NorthBayImmigration.ca

Much thanks

Acknowledgments

Immigrant Futures: Regional Strategies for Northern Attraction and Retention

www.citiesofmigration.org

• Christina Zefi, former Research Analyst, Northern Policy

Institute

• Cathy Woodbeck, Executive Director, Thunder Bay

Multicultural Association

• Meg Ramore, Project Coordinator, North Bay & District

Multicultural Centre

• Kim Turner, Cities of Migration, Ryerson University