Manitoba attracts highest number of immigrants in 50 years
a lot of attention is paid to quebec's immigration system, which allows the province to select and pre-approve immigrants to the province. what many people don't realize, however, is that several other provinces have recently obtained the same system. manitoba is one of them. essentially, the province has the power to target immigrants on its own and fast-track them through the application process.
what i find fascinating about manitoba (actually, winnipeg) is how it attracts a hugely disproportionate number of filipinos.
Manitoba records highest immigration level in 50 years
Winnipeg Sun - Immigration in Manitoba grew by 23% in 2006 and reached its highest level in 50 years, according to preliminary figures released by the province yesterday.
"The immigration program has been immensely successful," said Immigration Minister Nancy Allan, adding nearly 10,000 immigrants moved to Manitoba last year.
The Philippines remains the top source country, with 2,536 immigrants moving to Manitoba in 2006, followed by Germany (1,618), India (863), China (544) and South Korea (425).
Manitoba's aggressive provincial nominee program is behind the increases.
The province received 6,641 immigrants through the nominee program, greater than its share in comparison to other provinces.
In fact, half of all immigrants who moved to Canada last year via a provincial nominee program chose Manitoba, said Allan.
"It's an economic program linked to labour demand," said Allan, adding most immigrants are successful at finding work.
While that may be true, many immigrants are left disappointed because they often can't work in their chosen field, said Virginia Guiang, executive director of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba.
"If someone has been an engineer in the Philippines for 10 years and ends up as a custodian, that's a little frustrating," said Guiang. "They want to come here and utilize their expertise and training."
Qualifications recognition is a nationwide problem for immigrants, said Allan.
Manitoba launched a pilot program three years ago to help streamline the process and get immigrants working in their field as soon as possible.
HOPES FOR INCREASE
The province is working with professional associations in attempts to get engineers, nurses, and doctors from other countries working as soon as possible after moving here, she said.
In addition to the provincial nominee program, there were 1,208 refugees and 1,348 family class immigrants that came to Manitoba in 2006.
The increased immigration into the province comes at a time when immigration in Canada declined by 4.1%.
The province wants to increase immigration levels by 1,000 people a year over the next 10 years. "By 2025 we will depend solely on immigration for population growth," said Allan.
Opposition Leader Hugh McFadyen said the province does a poor job at retaining people, noting more than 30,000 people have left in the last seven years.
"We're good at bringing people here but not so good at keeping them."
He said the Manitoba government needs to do a better job at creating a competitive environment.
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50-YEAR HIGH
Manitoba immigration levels:
1998 - 2,993
1999 - 3,702
2000 - 4,584
2001 - 4,588
2002 - 4,621
2003 - 6,492
2004 - 7,427
2005 - 8,097
2006 - 9,989
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