New Narratives and Strategies for Attracting & Retaining Immigrants in Smaller Regions -- Manitoba Annual Integration Summit -- October 27, 2017 Yoko Yoshida, Dalhousie University Howard Ramos, Dalhousie University Myth 1: Smaller region doesn’t want new comers Myth 2: Smaller region not ready to support newcomers Myth 3: Attracting economic immigrant is the best approach Myth 4: Family immigrants do not contribute to local economy Myth 5: Immigrants in smaller region struggle in economic integration

Smaller regions don’t want newcomers

Smaller regions don’t want newcomers

Smaller regions are not ready to support newcomers

Attracting economic immigrant is the best approach

Retaining immigrants is a problem in smaller regions Skilled workers QC: 89.6% ON: 89.5% AB: 87.6% BC: 85.8% SK:71.1% MB: 70.7% NS: 64.7% NB: 57.1% NF: 55.9% PEI: 36.4% Source: van Huystee & St. Jean. 2014. Interprovincial Mobility of Immigrants in Canada 2006-2011.

All immigrants are the same Family Class ON: 95.6% BC: 94.0% QC: 93.9% AB: 93.0% MB: 88.1% SK: 86.1% NS: 82.9% NB: 79.2% NF: 75.0% PEI: 66.7% Source: van Huystee & St. Jean. 2014. Interprovincial Mobility of Immigrants in Canada 2006-2011.

Family immigrants do not contribute to local economy % working after 1 year since landing by immigrant category & cohort Immigrants to Nova Scotia Econ: PA Fam: S/P Econ: S/P Refugee Fam: P/GP Source: Yoshida et al. 2015 "Who Are Recent Immigrants and What Are Their Economic Activities? An Analysis of Socio-Demographic Profiles and Economic Activities Across Immigration Categories.“

Immigrants in smaller region struggle with economic integration % working after 1 year since landing (2010-12)- Econ PA: NS, NB, NFLD are higher than the Canadian average Econ SP: All Atlantic provinces are lower than Canadian average Fam SP: All Atlantic provinces are higher than the Canadian average Earlier cohort: Econ PA : NS/PEI< Canada, NFL> Canada Econ SP : NS/NB/NFLD/PEI< Canada Fam SP : fluctuates across provinces over time. Source: Yoshida & Ramos. 2017. "Demographic and Economic Profiles of Immigrant Taxfilers to Atlantic Canada." Perceptions of Change Project.

Immigrants in smaller region struggle with economic integration Average employment earnings after 1 year since landing (2010-12)- Econ PA: NS, NB, NFLD are higher than the Canadian average Econ SP: NB, NFLD are higher than Canadian average Fam SP: NS, NB, NFLD are higher than the Canadian average Earlier cohort: Econ PA : NS, NB, NFL> =Canada, PEI, fluctuates based on the years Econ SP : fluctuates across cohort and provinces: 2000-04: AC> Canada, for 2005-09, NS, NB, PEI< Canada Fam SP : NS, NFL>Canada Source: Yoshida & Ramos. 2017. "Demographic and Economic Profiles of Immigrant Taxfilers to Atlantic Canada." Perceptions of Change Project.

What are myths and what are realities? Smaller regions don’t want newcomers ~ Smaller regions are not ready to support newcomers X Attracting economic immigrant is the best approach Retaining immigrants is a problem in smaller regions All immigrants are the same Family immigrants do not contribute to local economy Immigrants in smaller region struggle with economic integration Non-economic stream immigrants (FamS/P) have high rates of employment Non-economic stream immigrants earn less than economic stream immigrants Overall there is a need for more balance among immigration streams Economic and social as well as short-and long- term contributions need to be re-considered by policymakers and communities

Explore new immigrant pathways Provincial Nominee Program Atlantic Immigration Pilot  Higher level of employer involvement  Expanded job categories  Targeted Eligibility Higher level of employer involvement - need assessment for the settlement of family - job offers Expanded job categories - NOC O, A, B, and C Intended pool of applicants: - Work experience - language - Graduates of universities in Atlantic Canada (only job offer needed)

Policy implication Promote the reality that smaller regions want and need immigrants Promote the economic success of immigrants in smaller regions Explore more opportunities for gender balance Explore the employment potential of spouses and partners who come with Principal Applicants Tap into International university graduates Bust myths and change obstacles…!

- Sex Ratio- Immigration as the gendered process: Atlantic Canada: Econ PA: men > women Spouses/Partners (Econ&Fam): men < women Atlantic Canada: Econ (PA & SP): More gendered than the Canadian average Fam (SP) : less gendered than the Canadian average

- Education: % Bachelor’s and above- Econ (PA & SP) mostly highly educated Atlantic Canada: Econ (PA & SP) since 2000 have lower % of Bachelor's than the Canadian average Fam (SP) have higher % of Bachelor’s than the Canadian average