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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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 p. 65).

6. 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

7. Case Studies

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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. contact
@ryanfgibson
ryanfgibson