City sought as partner in immigration program

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This article was published 06/07/2024 (594 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Gerald Cathcart, Brandon’s director of economic development, will ask council on Monday to support his application to have the city become a partner in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

It’s a way to attract skilled immigrants to the city — and step one, he said, is getting council to agree.

“There are certainly areas of industry that are looking for key people,” said Cathcart. “Skilled trades are still a challenge, and we also have pending retirement for a lot of people.

“So, what we’re looking to do is have Brandon become a PNP partner and receive a few more recommendations for skilled workers and for an entrepreneurial class of migrants through the provincial program.”

Manitoba was the first province in Canada to take part in the PNP in 1998, when it welcomed 418 new immigrants.

The MPNP receives an allocation of nominations each year from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Last year, Manitoba was allocated 9,500 nominations, according to the Manitoba government website.

There are three streams offered through the MPNP that open the doors to immigrants and create pathways for them to become permanent Canadian residents.

The first stream is for internationally trained and experienced skilled workers and the second is for international students who graduate in Manitoba and meet certain requirements. The third stream is for qualified business investors and entrepreneurs who have the intent and ability to start or buy businesses in the province.

Included in Catchcart’s presentation to council is a report that states: “One out of every two business leaders feel that access to skilled labour in Manitoba has worsened over the past year,” quoting data from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “The problem is even more critical for small- and medium-sized businesses where that number increases to 65 per cent.”

There are a number of things on the checklist that Cathcart said he must complete for Manitoba Immigration besides council’s approval in support of the application.

Cathcart conducted a labour market assessment, showed the ability to create a community committee and proved the availability of a settlement service, “which we have a great group here with Westman Immigrant Services,” he said.

Lois Ruston, president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and past executive director of Westman Immigrant Services, said the provincial nominee program for Manitoba is highly regarded.

“I think for Brandon to reach out and be part of that in a more official way would be a fantastic step,” Ruston said.

“Everybody’s short, and I think anytime an avenue is opened up that has the ability to bring skilled newcomers to our community, then that’s a win, and I have to believe that will translate into our business community benefiting from attracting some of this talent,” she said.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said he agreed that the MPNP has “proven to be a good program for the province and the city.”

“Not only does it provide economic development,” said Fawcett, “but it’s another opportunity to leverage expertise. It’s a positive that we know where a lot of our workforce is coming from.”

A spokesperson from the Manitoba government said MPNP initiatives provide “a community-based approach with an economic focus to immigration,” adding, “There are no one size fits all, thus there is the need to have an agile but consistent, fair and transparent process in engaging with communities.”

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