Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

March 20, 2008

New Manitoba Immigration Council Appointed by Allan



Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan today announced the appointment of new members to the Manitoba Immigration Council.
 
“The new council members will continue the good work of their predecessors by providing timely expertise and feedback to government as we work together to increase immigration to Manitoba,” said Allan.  “We would like to thank the outgoing council members for their excellent work and look forward to further enhancing settlement services for newcomers and improving immigrant retention rates.”
 
In 2004, the Manitoba Immigration Council Act established the council to provide advice to government on immigration and integration strategies in the province.
 
Council members come from various regions of the province and have diverse backgrounds in areas including business, education, labour, regulatory and professional, multicultural and social service sectors.
 
The new members are:
·         Dr. Ibrahima Diallo, chair – president of the board of the Société franco-manitobaine and dean of the arts, science and administration faculty, Collège universitaire de St‑Boniface.
·         Christina Semaniuk, vice-chair – vice-president of human resources, Cambrian Credit Union, and former member of the Manitoba Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Council.
·         Dr. Robert Annis – director of the Rural Development Institute, Brandon University, and vice-chair of the Canadian Consortium of Health Promotion Research.
·         Grant Christensen – director of education, Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba.
·         Simin Hadidi – social worker with the Correctional Service of Canada and first vice-president of the Manitoba Criminal Justice Association.
·         Susan Irupang-Scott – social worker with Manitoba Family Services and Housing and former member of the National Parole Board.
·         Maureen Morrison – equality representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.  
·         Dushant Persaud – educator and principal at the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre.
·         Faye Rosenberg-Cohen – planning director for the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and GrowWinnipeg co-ordinator.
·         Dr. Ian Smith – director general of the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Biodiagnostics.
·         Dr. Xiaoyun Wang – associate professor, Department of Business Administration, I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba.
·         Jeff Zabudsky – president and CEO, Red River College.
 
Manitoba’s immigration strategy helped the province reached its goal of welcoming over 10,000 immigrants in 2007 and it is well on its way to the target of 12,000 for 2008.
 
“One of the most effective programs we have is the Provincial Nominee Program, which is designed to attract newcomers who meet Manitoba’s needs,” said Allan.  “Our provincial integration programs also assist newcomers to feel at home and contribute to the provincial economy. Over the next three years, we will work together with the council to develop and enhance solutions to the province’s immigration and integration issues so we can realize the many benefits of immigration to Manitoba.”
 
The 12 council members are appointed for three years and no member may serve more than two successive terms.  The term of office of the previous council ended in 2007.
 
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