Immigrants big contributors to Canada/Manitoba's Population Grown

8, 2012

LATEST CANADA CENSUS SHOWS STRONG MANITOBA POPULATION GROWTH

– – –
Manitoba Population Growth Between 2006 and 2011 Highest in 50 Years: Bjornson

New census information released today by Statistics Canada shows Manitoba’s population growth between 2001 and 2006 increased by more than double that of the previous five-year period,  Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson said today.
“This kind of growth hasn’t been seen since 1961,” said Bjornson.  “More and more people are making our growing province their home.”
Highlights include:

• Manitoba’s population reached 1,208,268 people in May 2011, an increase of 5.2 per cent from 2006.  Manitoba ranked fifth in population growth compared with other provinces.
• Growth between 2006 and 2011 of 5.2 per cent was more than twice the growth of 2.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006.  The 5.2 per cent growth during the last five years was the fastest growth since 1961.
• Manitoba’s growth of 5.2 per cent includes 5.2 per cent growth in cities, 6.4 per cent in towns,
  4.1 per cent in villages, 4.1 per cent in rural municipalities and 11.6 per cent in First Nation communities. 
• Steinbach was the fastest-growing city in Manitoba with a growth rate of 22.2 per cent and a 2011 population of 13,524.  Winkler increased its population by 17.2 per cent to 10,670.
• The population of Winnipeg was 663,617 in 2011, an increase of 4.8 per cent.

“Manitoba’s provincial nominee program has been tremendously successful in attracting skilled professionals who have settled in communities across the province,” said Bjornson.  “Today, these new Manitobans are investing in our economy and helping build a strong future for our province.”
Since 1999, more than 70,000 new immigrants have settled in Manitoba through the Provincial Nominee Program, with approximately 12,000 new immigrants moving to Manitoba through the program in 2011, Bjornson said.
The minister thanked Manitobans for completing their 2011 census forms, adding Census information is used by businesses, governments, community groups and the general public for years to come.  It is also used by governments to transfer funds to other levels of government.

- 30 -

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

School bus in Kingston Ontario ordered to remove Christmas decorations on bus

   Some folks are outraged by this and may feel that people should be outraged at having the decorations removed.
   Canada has chosen a multicultural political path which guarantees equality under the law, equality of opportunities and freedom from discrimination. In Canada there is a separation of Church and State so for a public transportation to uphold Christianity to me, flies in the face of Canadian culture and policy.
     Many who seek simple answers to complex problems will blame this on new immigrants. Most new immigrants and immigrants in general are uncomfortable by these moves and would rather the government not take these seeming drastic measures which in their minds is to please newcomers.
     What if the Christmas is allowed to be celebrated and upheld in government offices and advertisements plastered on government buildings etc? How would that promote multiculturalism unless the same is done for Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i, Buddhism, Hindu religious holiday.
     If truth be told, people of all races celebrate Christmas or the holiday season by putting up lights, having a Christmas tree and cooking and eating fancy foods during the season. To them, it is just another day off work and they want to be like other people.
     Governments however, have policies to maintain and have to set the course for an equitable society. Institutionally, this is how it is but individually, the government does not care who celebrates what.
    We all still get Christmas off at the moment, but in the future as our society becomes more inclusive, these religious holidays may be granted only to those who adhere to their respective religious practices.
     Some people argue that when they go to Saudi Arabia they have to wear the hijab and long skirts why can't people who come here adapt to Canadian culture. The answer to that is Saudi Arabia did not establish itself as a democratic, multicultural society where human rights are protected but Canada does and we should all be proud of that. Canada is on the right track.

     http://news.sympatico.ca/oped/coffee-talk/school_buses_forced_to_remove_christmas_decorations/a4e20e31

Manitoba Number Increases

March 24, 2011

100,000 NEW MANITOBANS ADDED OVER 11 YEARS: BJORNSON

– – –
Statistics Show Increase of 16,900 Manitobans in 2010

Manitoba has grown by 100,000 people over the last 11 years, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson announced today.
Statistics Canada figures show, as of Jan. 1, 2011, Manitoba’s population reached 1,243,700, representing a growth of 100,035 people since the fall of 1999.  This was an increase of 16,900 people over the last 12 months, the province’s best population growth in nearly 40 years.
“Each day, more and more people are making the move to Manitoba because they know that our province is an attractive and affordable place to work, live and raise a family,” said Bjornson.  “Our government’s Provincial Nominee Program has been very successful, accounting for three-quarters of all immigration to Manitoba.”
This growth is more than double the current population of the City of Brandon.  Previously it took Manitoba nearly 18 years to add more than 100,000 residents, the minister said.
Manitoba population growth rates of 1.38 and 1.28 per cent in the last two years, respectively, exceeded the Canadian average.
People are moving to Manitoba from around the world to drive this record-breaking growth, the minister said.  A total of 15,805 immigrants arrived in Manitoba in 2010.  The statistics show this was well ahead of the 13,520 who arrived in 2009 and the largest immigrant arrival since 1946.
Other information released showed:
Manitoba posted the fastest population growth in the country in the fourth quarter of 2010, with an increase of over 3,600 (0.3 per cent).  Net international migration (an increase of 2,600) was the principal factor for the growth in the province.
Total net inflow to Manitoba from other jurisdictions in the fourth quarter of 2010 was 2,407.  This gave Manitoba the highest quarterly net migration rate per capita of any province.
During 2010, there were 16,143 newborns in Manitoba.  Not since 1994 have there been so many births in a 12-month period.

- 30 -

Aditya Jha: 'I want to be accepted for my own competency' - The Globe and Mail

Aditya Jha: 'I want to be accepted for my own competency' - The Globe and Mail

Government Reaches out to help Newcomer succeed

September 13, 2010

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND MANITOBA TAKE ACTION TO HELP NEWCOMERS SUCCEED

– – –
Pre-arrival Services for Provincial Nominees to be Piloted in Manitoba

Beijing—Already a leader in attracting and integrating provincial nominees, Manitoba is partnering with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) through the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP) to pilot a new pre-arrival initiative for provincial nominees destined for Manitoba. This initiative, funded by the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration, was announced here today by Premier Greg Selinger and federal Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

 

“Manitoba is dedicated to providing more supports to assist provincial nominees to begin their employment and settlement planning before they arrive in our province,” said Selinger.  “The more informed and prepared immigrants are before they arrive, the more likely they are to achieve their career goals and contribute to Manitoba’s economic growth.”

 

To start, the pilot initiative will provide Manitoba nominees in China and the Philippines with pre-arrival settlement orientation and labour-market preparation services.  These services will include the development of a career plan based on Manitoba-specific labour-market information and guidance on qualifications recognition procedures.  It will then be adapted for provincial nominees destined to other provincial jurisdictions as well as for Manitoba nominees in other parts of the world.

 

These new services for provincial nominees will be delivered through phase 2 of the CIIP, funded through a $15-million contribution agreement from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

 

“Pre-arrival services are an essential part of our strategy to help newcomers succeed.  ACCC’s partnership with Manitoba to create province-specific CIIP information and services is an important step in our commitment to prepare immigrants before they arrive in Canada,” said Kenney.  “This pilot demonstrates our aim to meet specific needs of newcomers destined for provinces across the country.”

 

“ACCC members play a vital role in the economic integration of newcomers in Canada,” said James Knight, president and CEO of ACCC. “Through ACCC’s overseas offices, they are also providing pre-arrival advice to federal skilled workers in their country of origin.  Red River College has been delivering this service for three years and is now working with ACCC and the Manitoba government to develop overseas pre-arrival services for provincial nominees.”

 

Prior to arriving in Canada, nominees will also have access to Manitoba’s successful English Online language program which provides facilitated English-language training using Manitoba specific scenarios. Students will be able to interact with adult English-as-an-additional-language teachers based in Manitoba, who will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the student’s training.

 

The initiative will begin in November with approximately 40 Manitoba nominees.  CIIP services for provincial nominees will be available at all CIIP locations in the coming year.

 

- 30 -

 

Photo Essay: The Magnificent Migrants - Gender and Migration Virtual Community

Photo Essay: The Magnificent Migrants - Gender and Migration Virtual Community

The Link Podcasts

The Link Podcasts

Academic and Professional Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Teachers

Announces a fourth cohort to begin September 2010

Applications available December 1, 2009

Contacts: Dr. Lee Anne Block, program coordinator, 474-9368 or blockla@cc.umanitoba.ca.

Ms. Mandy Mou, program assistant, 474-6411 or moum@cc.umanitoba.ca

What the program provides for internationally educated teachers (IETs): a way to attain Professional Certification in Manitoba and qualify to practise their profession in Manitoba schools.


The Bridging Program is a 10 month academic and professional bridging initiative designed for internationally educated teachers who require additional university coursework for Manitoba teaching certification as determined by the Manitoba Professional Certification Unit.

Orienting teachers to the cultural, social, and political contexts of Manitoba schools, the program includes courses on educational foundations, the Manitoba curriculum, language development for non-native, English-speaking teachers, and 12 weeks of supervised practicum in collaboration with mentor teachers.



How the program accomplishes this:

· Program curriculum is designed so that IETs can make a successful transition into the Manitoba school system

· All courses and seminars take place in the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba

· Core program of 30 credit hours includes the practicum

· Twelve weeks of practicum (2 blocks of 6 weeks) in Winnipeg schools

· Language development seminars integrated with course curriculum

· Participants work as a cohort and support each others’ learning

· Professional Development workshops where IETs have an opportunity to integrate and network with B Ed students, faculty, mentor teachers and school division administrators.

· Possibility of a “cost of living allowance” from Professional Immigrant Pilot Program (Employment Canada), Employment Insurance, and Income Assistance



Who is eligible for the program?

· Internationally educated teachers with a teaching degree from an accredited university in their home country and a minimum 2.0 grade point average

· IETs who have a written evaluation of their credentials from the Manitoba Professional Certification Branch

· IETs who have achieved a 3.0 on their Can-TEST

· IETs who are permanent Manitoba residents

· Must be available to be full time students

November 11, 2009
Editorial
The Trouble With ‘Zero Tolerance’

Congress took a reasonable step in 1994 when it required states receiving federal education money to expel students who brought guns onto school property, but states and localities overreacted, as they so often do. They enacted “zero tolerance” policies under which children are sometimes arrested for profanity, talking back, shoving matches and other behavior that would once have been resolved with detention or meetings with the students’ parents.

This arrest-first policy has been disastrous for young people, who are significantly more likely to drop out and experience long-term problems once they become entangled in the juvenile justice system. It has led to egregious racial profiling, with black and Hispanic students being shipped off to court at a higher rate than white students. And it has been a waste of time for the police to haul off children to the courts when they should be protecting the public from real criminals.

School officials who want to back away from the failed zero tolerance policy are looking to a farsighted model developed in Clayton County, Ga., a fast-growing enclave south of Atlanta. Its juvenile courts were nearly overwhelmed by students referred from their schools — mainly for minor offenses like fistfights and disruptive conduct.

Juvenile court officials met with the schools and explained the dangers of criminalizing what are essentially normal childhood behaviors. They also helped to retrain school counselors and cooperated with the schools to create a three-strikes system for dealing with minor offenses.

Under this system, the student receives a warning after the first offense. After the second offense, students and parents are required to attend a mediation session or a school conflict workshop. The third offense leads to a court complaint.

The number of children referred to juvenile court dropped by about half after the new system went into effect. With fewer low-risk students being referred to the courts, probation officers were able to focus more closely on high-risk young people, driving down felony numbers as well. Graduation rates have risen steadily since 2004, the year the new protocol was introduced.

According to the juvenile court official who helps to oversee the program, police officers have a better and more effective relationship with the students, now that they have stopped dragging them off to court for every little spat.

Impressed by these results, the court and school officials in Birmingham, Ala., recently adopted a similar protocol. Clearly, more school systems need to follow suit.

(NYT article)

Could this have implications for students in our schools in Manitoba? especially visible minority, immigrant and refugee students?

Message from Manitoba's new Premier, Mr. Greg Selinger

Anywhere you go in our province, you will see why Manitobans are understandably proud of where they live. Our unique mixture of people, culture, history, arts and nature is a source of inspiration and energy.The warmth of our people and the community spirit that nurtures our cultural diversity helped build Manitoba’s reputation as a welcoming society - small enough to remember its roots and large enough to realize its potential on the world stage.Propelled by an unmistakable spirit of innovation and possibility, Manitoba businesses are capitalizing on our highly skilled workforce, untapped renewable energy potential, dynamic economy and low Hydro electric rates to reach their fullest potential.In Manitoba, we are also fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy many natural wonders, from abundant, captivating cottage country to world-famous ecotourism vacation spots.I invite you to explore this website and discover our spirited energy for yourself. This excellent overview of Manitoba is rich in valuable information about the many programs and services that give us great momentum - our people, our industry, our province. Enjoy!

Greg Selinger Premier

Congratulations Mr. Premier, I have many friends who are pleased with this appointment because there are many immigrant women in Manitoba who have worked with Mr. Selinger and were taught by him in their Social Work Program at University of Manitoba.

I am sure that expectations will be high. I hope that Mr. Selinger do a little bit more to help organizations that promote multiculturalism and diversity rather than focusing on cultural silos.

As a province with more diversity than most, it is paramount that the cultures come together in unity in cross-cultural and intercultural activities. This should always be the priority of Canada so that we can break down barriers for good. I think we have done a great job breaking down barriers between immigrants and the mainstream but we have to put equal vigor in breaking down barriers within and between ethnic groups.

Thank you and may your reign be successful.

Immigrants come under scrutiny again

If it's happening in the US it might happen in Canada too. Immigrants are seen as burden on the society in which they seek temporary work. In Massachussets, immigrants will no longer be covered under the universal health care. Do you know what that means? Do you know the impact it will have on immigrants? This is huge!


Massachusetts Trims Immigrants’ Health Care - NYTimes.com