Rural Immigration & Welcoming Communities Ideas and Inspiration Ryan Gibson, PhD University of Guelph Building a 21st Workforce Summit | Nelson, British Columbia 19 June 2017

Context » welcoming communities are fundamental to workforce development » the past does not determine the future Key drivers labour force shortages Religion/cultural communities Receptive provincial policies and programs

Rural Immigration » Rural immigration statistics » changing trends » immigration ‘hot spots’ » why the change? What are the catalyst(s)

Rural Immigration » immigrants represent approximately 5% of rural Canada population » various recent catalyst for increases in rural immigration » rural immigration is fundamental to workforce » sustaining current labour force » attracting new labour force Across the provinces, the share of immigrants in the rural and small town population ranged from 0.9% in Newfoundland and Labrador to 12% in British Columbia. Between 2000/2001 and 2004/2005, immigration accounted for about 60% of Canada’s population growth

Welcoming Communities Not unique to only situations of rural immigration “A welcoming community has a strong desire to receive newcomers and to create an environment in which they will feel at home. A welcoming community ensures newcomers are able to participate fully in all aspects of community life. A welcoming community ensures newcomers have access to a full range of services and programs and can find meaningful employment opportunities” (National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies. 2007. p. 65).

Characteristics Employment opportunities Affordable Housing Favourable media coverage Recreational facilities Positive relationship between police/justice system Social engagement opportunities Diverse religious organizations Educational opportunities Presence of new-comer service agencies Positive attitudes towards immigrants & newscomers Safety and security Fostering social capital Esses, et al mentioned a cocktail of social, economic, and political characteristics that would make the welcoming community initiative effective; not ALL factors have to be met, but must ensure that targeted characteristics meet the current need

Case Studies

Winkler, Manitoba » The Winkler Initiative started in 1997 » welcomed approximately 4,000 immigrants between 1999-2011 » 85% retention rate The Winkler Initiative inter-agency Led to the creation of the Provincial Nominee Program Immigration followed

Perth-Huron, ON » proactive regional plan for attraction, settlement, and integration » inter-agency plan » effectiveness to be determined Approximately 130,000 people living in the region Area of approximately 5,617 km2 (compared to Regional District of Central Kootenays – 22,000 km2 and 56k people)

Lessons Learned » need for community forums for welcoming community discussions » need to build relationships among local stakeholders and government actors » need for local strategy for attraction, settlement, and integration » need to share lessons with other places

contact gibsonr@uoguelph.ca www.ruraldev.ca @ryanfgibson ryanfgibson