The Provincial Nominee Program is delivering results - thank you very much

October 6, 2010 PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM EVALUATION SHOWS IMMIGRATION PROGRAM ON RIGHT TRACK: HOWARD Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard today released findings of an independent study which shows Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program is a success.   The evaluation, undertaken by University of Winnipeg professor Dr. Tom Carter, indicates an overall positive assessment of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and shows that nominees who come to Manitoba have mainly positive settlement experiences.    “We are pleased that many newcomers are finding jobs, buying homes and building a good life with their families here in Manitoba,” said Howard. “The study also provides us with some useful information on how we can continue to improve our programs and services.”   Some of the main findings of the study show that: ·         85 per cent of provincial nominees were working after three months and 89 per cent had permanent jobs; ·         83 per cent were working in their fields or in a related field over time; ·         after three to five years in Manitoba, 76 per cent of nominees were homeowners; ·         there is a high level of satisfaction with the type, nature and quality of settlement and language‑training services available; ·         95 per cent of principal applicants do not plan on moving to another province over the next five years; ·         91 per cent of nominees can communicate easily in English over time; and ·         provincial nominees express high levels of satisfaction with their communities as a place to live and a growing proportion are engaging in community activities.     “This study shows that our programs are on the right track, however the number of newcomers who have difficulty getting their credentials recognized remains too high,” said Howard. “We must continue to build on our programs to ensure that newcomers get jobs that match their skills and experience.”   Manitoba government efforts to assist newcomers get jobs that match their qualifications include: ·         More pre-arrival labour market preparation services and language training services available to provincial nominees destined to Manitoba. ·         Job-specific language classes offered at the workplace to assist immigrants to function more effectively in jobs they currently hold or advance to higher positions. ·         Qualifications-recognition projects for internationally educated engineers, agrologists, nurses, doctors, accountants, early-childhood educators, bank and credit union workers, teachers, medical laboratory technologists and midwives. ·         The 2007 Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act which ensures that registration and assessment practices are fair, transparent, objective and impartial. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner has been established to support self-regulatory bodies to comply with the fair practices outlined in the act. ·         Manitoba’s contribution to the development of the First Ministers’ Pan-Canadian Framework on Foreign Qualifications Recognition to improve the assessment and recognition pathways of internationally trained immigrants. ·         The Credentials Recognition Program which provides financial assistance to immigrant professionals as they proceed through the licensing process set by their profession’s regulatory body.   Recently, the federal government has signalled that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program will be capped at 5,000 nominees this year and next year, said Howard. The most recent information shows that Manitoba attracted 13,500 newcomers in 2009, 75 per cent through the PNP.   “The results of this survey will help us demonstrate to the federal government that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program has been successful in recruiting and retaining newcomers who help our economy grow,” said Howard.  “This very successful model should be allowed to continue to grow.”   The study was based on personal interviews with 100 principal applicants and 50 spouses who arrived under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.   The main components of the survey included the PNP application process, pre-migration information, employment, income, language, education and training, health and other services, housing, financial assistance, settlement orientation, participation in community activities, retention issues, advice to future immigrants, and demographic and household information.   The study is available at http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/asset_library/en/resources/pdf/pnp-manitoba-provincial-nominee-program-tom-carter-report-2009.pdf.   - 30

October 6, 2010 PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM EVALUATION SHOWS IMMIGRATION PROGRAM ON RIGHT TRACK: HOWARD Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard today released findings of an independent study which shows Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program is a success.   The evaluation, undertaken by University of Winnipeg professor Dr. Tom Carter, indicates an overall positive assessment of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and shows that nominees who come to Manitoba have mainly positive settlement experiences.    “We are pleased that many newcomers are finding jobs, buying homes and building a good life with their families here in Manitoba,” said Howard. “The study also provides us with some useful information on how we can continue to improve our programs and services.”   Some of the main findings of the study show that: ·         85 per cent of provincial nominees were working after three months and 89 per cent had permanent jobs; ·         83 per cent were working in their fields or in a related field over time; ·         after three to five years in Manitoba, 76 per cent of nominees were homeowners; ·         there is a high level of satisfaction with the type, nature and quality of settlement and language‑training services available; ·         95 per cent of principal applicants do not plan on moving to another province over the next five years; ·         91 per cent of nominees can communicate easily in English over time; and ·         provincial nominees express high levels of satisfaction with their communities as a place to live and a growing proportion are engaging in community activities.     “This study shows that our programs are on the right track, however the number of newcomers who have difficulty getting their credentials recognized remains too high,” said Howard. “We must continue to build on our programs to ensure that newcomers get jobs that match their skills and experience.”   Manitoba government efforts to assist newcomers get jobs that match their qualifications include: ·         More pre-arrival labour market preparation services and language training services available to provincial nominees destined to Manitoba. ·         Job-specific language classes offered at the workplace to assist immigrants to function more effectively in jobs they currently hold or advance to higher positions. ·         Qualifications-recognition projects for internationally educated engineers, agrologists, nurses, doctors, accountants, early-childhood educators, bank and credit union workers, teachers, medical laboratory technologists and midwives. ·         The 2007 Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act which ensures that registration and assessment practices are fair, transparent, objective and impartial. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner has been established to support self-regulatory bodies to comply with the fair practices outlined in the act. ·         Manitoba’s contribution to the development of the First Ministers’ Pan-Canadian Framework on Foreign Qualifications Recognition to improve the assessment and recognition pathways of internationally trained immigrants. ·         The Credentials Recognition Program which provides financial assistance to immigrant professionals as they proceed through the licensing process set by their profession’s regulatory body.   Recently, the federal government has signalled that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program will be capped at 5,000 nominees this year and next year, said Howard. The most recent information shows that Manitoba attracted 13,500 newcomers in 2009, 75 per cent through the PNP.   “The results of this survey will help us demonstrate to the federal government that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program has been successful in recruiting and retaining newcomers who help our economy grow,” said Howard.  “This very successful model should be allowed to continue to grow.”   The study was based on personal interviews with 100 principal applicants and 50 spouses who arrived under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.   The main components of the survey included the PNP application process, pre-migration information, employment, income, language, education and training, health and other services, housing, financial assistance, settlement orientation, participation in community activities, retention issues, advice to future immigrants, and demographic and household information.   The study is available at http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/asset_library/en/resources/pdf/pnp-manitoba-provincial-nominee-program-tom-carter-report-2009.pdf.   - 30

October 6, 2010 PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM EVALUATION SHOWS IMMIGRATION PROGRAM ON RIGHT TRACK: HOWARD Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard today released findings of an independent study which shows Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program is a success.   The evaluation, undertaken by University of Winnipeg professor Dr. Tom Carter, indicates an overall positive assessment of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and shows that nominees who come to Manitoba have mainly positive settlement experiences.    “We are pleased that many newcomers are finding jobs, buying homes and building a good life with their families here in Manitoba,” said Howard. “The study also provides us with some useful information on how we can continue to improve our programs and services.”   Some of the main findings of the study show that: ·         85 per cent of provincial nominees were working after three months and 89 per cent had permanent jobs; ·         83 per cent were working in their fields or in a related field over time; ·         after three to five years in Manitoba, 76 per cent of nominees were homeowners; ·         there is a high level of satisfaction with the type, nature and quality of settlement and language‑training services available; ·         95 per cent of principal applicants do not plan on moving to another province over the next five years; ·         91 per cent of nominees can communicate easily in English over time; and ·         provincial nominees express high levels of satisfaction with their communities as a place to live and a growing proportion are engaging in community activities.     “This study shows that our programs are on the right track, however the number of newcomers who have difficulty getting their credentials recognized remains too high,” said Howard. “We must continue to build on our programs to ensure that newcomers get jobs that match their skills and experience.”   Manitoba government efforts to assist newcomers get jobs that match their qualifications include: ·         More pre-arrival labour market preparation services and language training services available to provincial nominees destined to Manitoba. ·         Job-specific language classes offered at the workplace to assist immigrants to function more effectively in jobs they currently hold or advance to higher positions. ·         Qualifications-recognition projects for internationally educated engineers, agrologists, nurses, doctors, accountants, early-childhood educators, bank and credit union workers, teachers, medical laboratory technologists and midwives. ·         The 2007 Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act which ensures that registration and assessment practices are fair, transparent, objective and impartial. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner has been established to support self-regulatory bodies to comply with the fair practices outlined in the act. ·         Manitoba’s contribution to the development of the First Ministers’ Pan-Canadian Framework on Foreign Qualifications Recognition to improve the assessment and recognition pathways of internationally trained immigrants. ·         The Credentials Recognition Program which provides financial assistance to immigrant professionals as they proceed through the licensing process set by their profession’s regulatory body.   Recently, the federal government has signalled that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program will be capped at 5,000 nominees this year and next year, said Howard. The most recent information shows that Manitoba attracted 13,500 newcomers in 2009, 75 per cent through the PNP.   “The results of this survey will help us demonstrate to the federal government that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program has been successful in recruiting and retaining newcomers who help our economy grow,” said Howard.  “This very successful model should be allowed to continue to grow.”   The study was based on personal interviews with 100 principal applicants and 50 spouses who arrived under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.   The main components of the survey included the PNP application process, pre-migration information, employment, income, language, education and training, health and other services, housing, financial assistance, settlement orientation, participation in community activities, retention issues, advice to future immigrants, and demographic and household information.   The study is available at http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/asset_library/en/resources/pdf/pnp-manitoba-provincial-nominee-program-tom-carter-report-2009.pdf.   - 30

October 6, 2010

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM EVALUATION SHOWS IMMIGRATION PROGRAM

ON RIGHT TRACK: HOWARD

Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard today released findings of an independent study which shows Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program is a success.

 

The evaluation, undertaken by University of Winnipeg professor Dr. Tom Carter, indicates an overall positive assessment of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and shows that nominees who come to Manitoba have mainly positive settlement experiences. 

 

“We are pleased that many newcomers are finding jobs, buying homes and building a good life with their families here in Manitoba,” said Howard. “The study also provides us with some useful information on how we can continue to improve our programs and services.”

 

Some of the main findings of the study show that:

·         85 per cent of provincial nominees were working after three months and 89 per cent had permanent jobs;

·         83 per cent were working in their fields or in a related field over time;

·         after three to five years in Manitoba, 76 per cent of nominees were homeowners;

·         there is a high level of satisfaction with the type, nature and quality of settlement and language‑training services available;

·         95 per cent of principal applicants do not plan on moving to another province over the next five years;

·         91 per cent of nominees can communicate easily in English over time; and

·         provincial nominees express high levels of satisfaction with their communities as a place to live and a growing proportion are engaging in community activities.  

 

“This study shows that our programs are on the right track, however the number of newcomers who have difficulty getting their credentials recognized remains too high,” said Howard. “We must continue to build on our programs to ensure that newcomers get jobs that match their skills and experience.”

 

Manitoba government efforts to assist newcomers get jobs that match their qualifications include:

·         More pre-arrival labour market preparation services and language training services available to provincial nominees destined to Manitoba.

·         Job-specific language classes offered at the workplace to assist immigrants to function more effectively in jobs they currently hold or advance to higher positions.

·         Qualifications-recognition projects for internationally educated engineers, agrologists, nurses, doctors, accountants, early-childhood educators, bank and credit union workers, teachers, medical laboratory technologists and midwives.

·         The 2007 Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act which ensures that registration and assessment practices are fair, transparent, objective and impartial. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner has been established to support self-regulatory bodies to comply with the fair practices outlined in the act.

·         Manitoba’s contribution to the development of the First Ministers’ Pan-Canadian Framework on Foreign Qualifications Recognition to improve the assessment and recognition pathways of internationally trained immigrants.

·         The Credentials Recognition Program which provides financial assistance to immigrant professionals as they proceed through the licensing process set by their profession’s regulatory body.

 

Recently, the federal government has signalled that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program will be capped at 5,000 nominees this year and next year, said Howard. The most recent information shows that Manitoba attracted 13,500 newcomers in 2009, 75 per cent through the PNP.

 

“The results of this survey will help us demonstrate to the federal government that Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program has been successful in recruiting and retaining newcomers who help our economy grow,” said Howard.  “This very successful model should be allowed to continue to grow.”

 

The study was based on personal interviews with 100 principal applicants and 50 spouses who arrived under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

 

The main components of the survey included the PNP application process, pre-migration information, employment, income, language, education and training, health and other services, housing, financial assistance, settlement orientation, participation in community activities, retention issues, advice to future immigrants, and demographic and household information.

 

The study is available at http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/asset_library/en/resources/pdf/pnp-manitoba-provincial-nominee-program-tom-carter-report-2009.pdf.

 

MANITOBA'S POPULATION GROWTH IN 2009 BEST IN NEARLY 40 YEARS: BJORNSON

March 25, 2010
Statistics Canada says Fourth-quarter Growth is Third Best in Country
Manitoba has achieved its best population growth rate in nearly 40 years, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson announced today.
“People from around the globe are clearly learning that Manitoba is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Bjornson said.
According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba’s population reached 1,229,000 people in 2009, an increase of 16,400 people over the previous year.
Bjornson said Manitoba’s population increase last year of 1.36 per cent last year is the best since 1971 and builds on a decade-long trend of positive population growth.
In the past 10 years, Manitoba has grown by nearly 90,000 people. That is roughly equivalent to the populations of Brandon, Thompson, Dauphin, and Portage la Prairie combined and more than double the population increase over the previous decade.
In addition, Manitoba’s fourth-quarter growth rate of 0.23 per cent was the third-best provincial growth rate in the country and better than the national average of 0.17 per cent.
Much of the population increase has been driven by immigration from other countries, due in a large part to the success of Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program, the minister said.
“Our Provincial Nominee Program is ensuring that people from around the world can bring their skills to our great province and make it even better,” said Bjornson.

November 3, 2009

APPLICATIONS TO PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM TO BE MADE EASIER BY NEW SERVICE: ALLAN

Applying to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will be faster and easier thanks to a joint initiative between the province and the Immigrant Centre Manitoba (formerly the International Centre), Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan announced today.

The new Manitoba Nominee Application Centre will provide hands-on services to clients including regular information sessions and one-on-one consultations on completing PNP applications as well as notary services and referrals to other community services.

“In the past, incomplete applications have slowed down the approval process for prospective immigrants,” said Allan. “By having knowledgeable staff providing information and guidance to clients at no cost, the new centre will assist in the efficient completion of applications which will reduce processing times and facilitate the immigration process.”

The Nominee Application Centre will also help Manitobans assisting family and relatives in other countries, temporary foreign workers and international students already in Manitoba with their PNP applications and subsequent applications for permanent residency.

“The demand for this service has been high and is expected to grow as Manitoba continues to be a destination of choice for newcomers,” said Immigrant Centre Manitoba executive director Linda Lalande. “The immigrant centre is proud to deliver this innovative service with the expertise and personal touch that our clients have come to expect and we believe that this service will greatly facilitate the application process.”

The Nominee Application Centre will be located in the Immigrant Centre Manitoba’s new expanded location on the main floor of 100 Adelaide St. in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. The centre will officially open its doors to clients today. The centre will be open Monday to Friday during the day, Thursday evenings and by appointment on Saturday. Two information sessions will be offered per week including one Thursday evening.

Immigrants drive up Manitoba's population

September 29, 2009
MANITOBA RECORD-BREAKING POPULATION GROWTH BEST IN AT LEAST 38 YEARS– – –Provincial Nominee Program, Immigration Driving Growth: Allan
Manitoba’s population grew by nearly 16,000 people during the last 12 months, Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Nancy Allan announced today.

Driving this record-breaking growth were people moving to Manitoba from other jurisdictions, the minister said. Manitoba reported a net gain of 10,562 individuals coming to Manitoba from other regions of Canada and around the world, which is a 38-year high net gain.

“We are proud that so many people from other provinces and countries have chosen Manitoba to be their new home,” Allan said. “They have come here because this province offers so much potential for individuals and families to find meaningful jobs, grow their businesses and raise children with real hope for a rewarding future.”

According to Statistics Canada data released today, Manitoba’s population stood at 1,222,000 as of July 1. This is 15,864 more people since July 1, 2008, for an increase of 1.32 per cent, which is well above Canada’s growth rate of 1.24 per cent.

“In fact, the growth of Manitoba’s population since 1999 has been quite remarkable,” the minister said. “In the last 10 years, Manitoba’s population has increased by nearly 80,000. This growth was more than double the increase of the previous 10-year period.”

Much of the growth during the last several years can be attributed to the success of the Provincial Nominee Program, Allan said. This program has resulted in historic growth in Manitoba’s immigration population. Of the more than 13,000 individuals who arrived in Manitoba during the last 12 months, three-quarters were provincial nominees.