March 28, 2022
Members of New Immigration Advisory Council Announced, Work to Begin on Review of Immigration Continuum in Manitoba
– – –Review to Guide Improvements to Provincial Policies, Programs to Support Economic Recovery, Encourage Settlement: Reyes and Axworthy
Watch news conference
Twenty Manitobans have been appointed to a new advisory council on immigration to recommend improvements to current immigration policies and programs, Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes and Immigration Advisory Council co-chair Lloyd Axworthy announced today.
“As we recover from the pandemic, we need to encourage economic growth, invest in education, training and job creation and support investment, and immigration is one part of this bold plan,” said Reyes. “I look forward to working with the council as we review the current system and recommend creative new ways to welcome people to our province and create a place where people want to come to work, live, prosper and put down roots for their families.”
The Immigration Advisory Council, co-chaired by the minister and Lloyd Axworthy, will be reviewing the entire continuum of immigration, from promoting immigration to retaining newcomers, noted Reyes.
“This group is made up of individuals with expertise related to immigration services, governance, economic development, analysis, project management and community integration,” said Axworthy. “I know they will provide clear recommendations and concrete actions to the Manitoba government later this year, and I’m excited to begin this work.”
The work of the council will focus on:
- building on promotion to attract and recruit more immigrants and business investors to the province;
- streamlining the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, especially with regard to setting the right balance between the province’s regional labour market, economic development and community needs; and
- fostering Manitoba’s settlement and integration programs and services, as well as foreign credential recognition programs, to encourage labour market attachment, improve foreign credential recognition and bolster immigrant retention.
Work will begin immediately with a final report to be provided by the end of the year, the minister said.
“Manitoba is and will continue to be a welcoming new home for all newcomers, including immigrants, refugees and their family members, and a destination of choice for international students,” said Reyes. “This important work will ensure we’re better able to attract and retain newcomers to help build our economy for the future.”
For more information on the Immigration Advisory Council mandate, visit https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
BG-Immigration_Advisory_Council_Members-AESI.pdf - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2022/03/BG-Immigration_Advisory_Council_Members-AESI.pdf