1. New Narratives and Strategies for Attracting & Retaining Immigrants in Smaller Regions Manitoba Annual Integration Summit -- October 27, 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

2. Smaller regions don’t want newcomers

3. Smaller regions don’t want newcomers

4. Smaller regions are not ready to support newcomers

5. Attracting economic immigrant is the best approach

6. 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 Interprovincial Mobility of Immigrants in Canada

7. 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 Interprovincial Mobility of Immigrants in Canada

8. 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 "Who Are Recent Immigrants and What Are Their Economic Activities? An Analysis of Socio-Demographic Profiles and Economic Activities Across Immigration Categories.“

9. Immigrants in smaller region struggle with economic integration
% working after 1 year since landing ( )-
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 "Demographic and Economic Profiles of Immigrant Taxfilers to Atlantic Canada." Perceptions of Change Project.

10. Immigrants in smaller region struggle with economic integration
Average employment earnings after 1 year since landing ( )-
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: : AC> Canada, for , NS, NB, PEI< Canada
Fam SP : NS, NFL>Canada
Source: Yoshida & Ramos "Demographic and Economic Profiles of Immigrant Taxfilers to Atlantic Canada." Perceptions of Change Project.

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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…!

15. - 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

16. - 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