Immigrants now 14% of Brandon’s population
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2017 (3081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
When it comes to Brandon’s immigrant population, China, El Salvador and India are the top three countries of origin.
New census data shows that, immigrants (7,930) make up 14 per cent of the population, compared to 12 per cent (6,365) in 2011 and 6.5 per cent (3,160) in 2006.
Richard Bruce, executive director of Westman Immigrant Services, spoke about how diverse Brandon has become over the past decade.
“You will see people from all over the world now,” he said. “We have restaurants now that we would have never had before that are ethnically based, and we’ve always had successful immigrants … or refugees that have come in and started businesses.”
Total population of Brandon census agglomeration, which includes surrounding municipalities, was 58,003, up 5.8 per cent from 2011.
The period of immigration between 2006 and 2010 saw the highest number of newcomers at 3,090. Between 2011 and 2016, there were 2,640 immigrants arriving in Brandon.
The top five countries of origin for recent immigrants (between 2011 and 2016) are India, Honduras, China, Philippines and El Salvador.
One of the biggest hurdles for many immigrants is the language barrier. Bruce added there are also challenges around getting credential recognition in Canada.
To meet the needs of the growing immigrant population, WIS has expanded its programs and resources significantly since it began in 1999. There is language training, family programs, city introductions, interpreter services and settlement services, among other areas.
Bruce praised the welcoming nature of Brandon’s citizens.
“When we have newcomers come, if we need help, there’s all kinds of it that shows up from the community,” he said.
Mayor Rick Chrest said he is proud of how the city has adjusted and evolved over the years as it welcomes waves of immigrants.
“I really do feel that Brandon has really stepped up, and is doing a better and better job of being open and welcoming and accommodating,” he said.
When the larger groups of newcomers began to arrive about a decade ago to work for Maple Leaf Foods, Chrest said it was not without its challenges.
“It was particular struggle for the Brandon School Division to have to adjust and respond,” he said. “I give them credit … I feel that there was probably some growing pains initially but they’ve got it figured out.”
Chrest pointed out that support systems have been developed across the community, as more and more people arrive from various countries.
“There’s people that have been here for a while and so they can step in and help the newer people get settled, and help with some of those interpretive services,” Chrest said. “Certainly it’s a lot better than what it was about a decade when a lot of this started in earnest.”
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jillianaustin