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Nova Scotia woos immigrants |
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Immigrants who choose to settle in Nova Scotia will receive more
language training, more help getting into the workplace, and more
information to help them settle in the province.
Provincial Immigration Minister Rodney MacDonald announced $1.5 million
in immigration funding, more than double what was available last year.
About 30 per cent of the funding will go towards new rural, suburban
and outreach programs, he said.
"We are able to fund all of the great language and employment-related
programs that were funded in previous years, and more," Mr. MacDonald
said. "Provincial immigration funding is available for the first time
to rural communities, and for new projects with our Acadian,
Francophone and African Nova Scotian communities."
New projects include language training for engineers, a cable
television show on immigration issues, and English second-language
education in public schools. All regional development authorities that
submitted proposals will receive funding and the Kings County Learning
Association will receive funding for language training aimed at helping
immigrants find work.
The Metropolitan Immigration Settlement Association is receiving new
funding to work with communities -- including Acadian and Francophone
communities -- to create services and networks to help immigrants
settle across the province. The association is also receiving funding
for the New Beginnings outreach program so immigrants across the
province can access pre-employment workshops online.
An English second-language program offered at Halifax public libraries
will be expanded, and offered at Alderney Gate Public Library in
Dartmouth.
Among the existing services that will continue to be funded: English
second-language tutoring at home and in classrooms; the Metropolitan
Immigration Settlement Association's language training for medical
professionals and pre-employment workshops; and the Nova Scotia
Community College's advanced English second-language training and
introduction to post-secondary education program, which helps
immigrants enter university or community college.
Almost $200,000 remains to be allocated on programs that meet such
priorities as recognizing the qualifications of immigrant workers, and
supporting welcoming communities for ethno-cultural groups.
"Our success in helping immigrants settle, succeed and stay very much
depends on the success of the groups who receive funding," said Mr.
MacDonald. "Over the next year, staff will work with interested groups,
so we can look forward to even more innovative proposals that meet our
immigration priorities."
Mr. MacDonald said the funding decisions were helped by a fair and open
process, clear funding criteria and a qualified assessment committee.
"By involving federal and provincial partners at the decision-making
table, we had the experience and background needed to support good
decisions, and great projects," he said.
The assessment committee is made up of representatives from the Office
of Immigration, the Office of Economic Development, the Department of
Education, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada, Heritage Canada and the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency.
The funding process was based on recommendations in the province's immigration strategy.
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