Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres: Attracting, Welcoming & Retaining Immigrants to Your Community Funded by the Government of Canada Prepared by the National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies

An Introduction to the Tool Box An Introduction to the Tool Box Some Tips on How to Become a Some Tips on How to Become a “Welcoming Community” “Welcoming Community” Contents & Benefits of the Tool Box Contents & Benefits of the Tool Box Tool Box Presentation This Presentation will provide you with…

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 What is the Tool Box?

Who Uses the Tool Box? is for any self-identifying “small centre” region that wishes to attract, welcome and retain newcomer immigrants can be a province, territory or town such as: can be a province, territory or town such as: Newfoundland & Labrador (province) Newfoundland & Labrador (province) Red Deer, Alberta (small city) Red Deer, Alberta (small city) Trail, British Columbia (small town) Trail, British Columbia (small town) Small Centres The Tool Box

Benefits of the Tool Box is: User Friendly User Friendly Resourceful and Practical Resourceful and Practical Designed for use by a variety of community groups, organizations, government officials, etc. Designed for use by a variety of community groups, organizations, government officials, etc. Flexible and Adaptable Flexible and Adaptable A resource that can be used at any point in the development of your community’s population strategy A resource that can be used at any point in the development of your community’s population strategy The Tool Box

Small Centres: Tool Box Users Small Centres that wish to attract new residents and have support & consensus from key community residents & stakeholders Who Uses the Tool Box? Key Community Stakeholders ► Community Service Groups ► Businesses ► Settlement Agencies ► Faith based organizations ► Local government officials ► School boards, universities, colleges

CHAPTER 1: Introducing the Tool Box Did You Know? Due to Canada’s decreasing birth rate, immigration will account for Canada’s net population growth after 2020 Includes: Purpose and Background of the Tool Box Global and National Population Trends and Context Website links to national & global immigration trends Strategies and Reality Checks for your Community

CHAPTER 2: Building the Foundations Did You Know? In ,511 new immigrants arrived in Canada BUT less than 10% settled in rural areas Includes: Strategies & Steps to Build Support in Communities Refugee and Immigration Trends in Canada Immigration Information- how it works & who is eligible

CHAPTER 3: Key Factors to Consider Did You Know? 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 Includes: Information on how to identify & promote key factors such as family ties; employment or housing How to identify & manage barriers that may discriminate against newcomers

CHAPTER 4: Attracting Migrants Did You Know? Immigrants enter Canada under one of 7 different categories including: Skilled Worker; Business; Provincial Nominee Program; Live in Caregiver; Family; Refugee; or “Other” Includes : How to promote your community to immigrants Canada’s Immigration Categories Information on International Students & Temporary Foreign Workers

Includes: Chapter 5: The Welcoming Community Did You Know? English or French as a Second Language instruction & acquisition is critical in the successful adaptation & integration of newcomers. Resources to welcome newcomers in your community Cultural Competency Checklists for business & government Promotional Ideas and Events for your community to use Practical Steps to welcome newcomers in your community

Immigration to Canada: Annual Number of Immigrants to Canada

Immigration to Canada Immigration by Category-2006

Immigration by Province & Territory Province/Territory2006-Number of Immigrants Ontario125,919 Quebec45,082 British Columbia42,208 Alberta20,116 Manitoba10,789 Saskatchewan3,086 Nova Scotia2,715 New Brunswick1,630 Prince Edward Island732 Newfoundland & Labrador506 Northwest Territory98 Yukon55 Nunavut11

Become a “Welcoming Community” What would a diverse & growing town look like? What could immigrants contribute to your town? What would keep newcomer immigrants here once they arrive? What are some ways to attract and welcome immigrants to your town? Key questions to consider as first steps towards becoming a “Welcoming Community…”

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 930 Balmoral Road Victoria, BC V8T 1A9 Phone: (250) Phone: (250) Fax: (250) Fax: (250) Internet: Funded by the Government of Canada

What is Your Community’s Vision? BenefitsChallenges 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

Immigration Statistics for Individual Province and Territory Insert optional slide for specific information regarding province or territory immigration statistics

Tool Box For use by presenter for additional information/slides.