THE RURBAN FRINGE

Small Communities and Immigrants Can Benefit One Another

Posted on | October 5, 2009 | No Comments

Immigration is good for small communities, and small towns have much to offer new Canadians … if immigration is part of a community’s long-term economic strategy.

Employers in small communities must also show leadership in using immigration to fill labour shortages, and entire communities must work together to welcome and retain new residents, according to a new report by The Conference Board of Canada.

Immigrant-Friendly Communities:  Making Immigration Work for Employers and Other Stakeholders highlights four communities – Winkler, Manitoba; Brooks, Alberta; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; and Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick – that have been successful in their approaches to immigration.

While there is no cookie-cutter model for rural or rurban communities to follow, these four case studies illustrate a variety of strategies that have seen results:

Winkler, Manitoba - Since 1996, Winkler has capitalized on its Mennonite roots by attracting Mennonite families from Europe and South and Central America.  The strong network of community support started a ‘chain migration’ that has made Winkler one of the fastest-growing rural communities in Canada.

Brooks, Alberta – An influx of immigrants – predominantly from Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia – to work at Lakeside Packers has made Brooks one of the most ethnically diverse small cities in Canada.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories - The growing diamond industry has attracted immigrants from around the world, including Armenia, Mauritius, India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and more.  Yellowknife also has a remarkably high rate of temporary foreign workers becoming permanent residents.

Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick - McCain Foods Ltd. has recruited foreign IT workers for its Global Technology Centre since 1996.  Collaboration among local stakeholders has helped this community successfully integrate and retain its immigrants.

As the diversity of the Canadian population has changed significantly over the last 15-to-20 years, small communities are not as homogeneous as they used to be … nor should they be, if they wish to avoid dying out.

Citizenship & Immigration Canada has even provided support to small communities, partnering with others to offer a Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres, a resource offering communities a range of tools, ideas, information, and suggestions, so that stakeholders can develop their own unique and appropriate strategies to attract, welcome, and retain new immigrants. 

Immigration is here to stay.  Rural immigrants can add value to small communities in many different ways … but it’s up to community leaders and champions who must choose to make that happen.

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The Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres can be accessed online here or by contacting the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria at (250) 388-4728.

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