Thursday, April 14, 2011
Brandon, MB — On April 11, Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard announced the appointment of Dr. William Ashton, director or Rural Development Institute at Brandon University, to the Manitoba Immigration Council.
The 12 members in the Council have diverse backgrounds: academic, business, educational institutions, labour, multicultural, social-service, regional, regulatory and professional sectors. Each member contributes for three years and can serve two successive terms.
“The council will provide timely advice to government as we continue to work together to increase immigration to Manitoba,” said Howard. “We thank all former members of the council for their work and look forward to continue to enhance settlement services for newcomers and improve immigrant retention rates.”
In 2004, the Manitoba Immigration Council Act established the council to provide advice to government on immigration and integration programs in the province.
“This council is an important link between immigrants and those providing welcoming and settling services in rural areas and the government,” said Dr. Ashton.
Last year, more than 15,000 immigrants chose to live in this province.
“Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program continues to be successful by selecting and nominating potential immigrants for permanent residence based on Manitoba’s labour market needs,” said Minister Howard. “Our provincial settlement and integration programs assist newcomers to feel at home and contribute to the provincial economy. Over the next three years, we will work together with the Council on Manitoba’s immigration priorities so we can continue to realize the many benefits of immigration to the province.”
To this, Dr. Ashton adds that immigrants have and continue to play important roles in rural communities through their work for local employers or by launching businesses themselves as well as supporting the towns where they reside and helping to diversify the cultural landscape.
For more about the Manitoba Immigration Council Act, please visit http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/i005e.php
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For more information, please contact:
Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
https://www.brandonu.ca
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
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