Manitoba is pumping $5 million into its immigration programming through its 2022 budget, dubbed Recover Together<\/i>, to attract newcomers to the Prairie province and fill jobs going begging for a lack of Canadians to fill them.<\/p>\n
\u201cLabour shortages have been identified in Manitoba across sectors and within businesses of all sizes,\u201d the province notes in its budget document.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Read More<\/b><\/p>\n Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Invites 223 Canada Immigration Candidates<\/a><\/span> \u201cImmigration is an economic driver that can be used to fill labour market needs that cannot be filled domestically.\u201d<\/p>\n Attracting and retaining immigrants to the province is being seen as a vital component in ensuring Manitoba\u2019s economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n The province is already in talks with Ottawa to renegotiate the Canada-Manitoba Immigration Agreement, which has been in place in its current form since 2003, and hopes to hammer out a new deal by the end of this summer.<\/p>\n \u201cRevised immigration targets are also under consideration in 2022 with a view to expanding the current program, informed by a new temporary task force on immigration,\u201d notes the province\u2019s budget document.<\/p>\n In late March, members of Manitoba\u2019s newly-created Immigration Advisory Council began looking for ways to improve the province\u2019s immigration policies and procedures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The advisory council, headed by World Refugee Council chair Dr. Lloyd Axworthy and Manitoba Immigration Minister Jon Reyes, includes 20 other Manitobans and was formed in late February. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis group is made up of individuals with expertise related to immigration services, governance, economic development, analysis, project management and community integration,\u201d said Axworthy. \u201cI know they will provide clear recommendations and concrete actions to the Manitoba government later this year and I\u2019m excited to begin this work.\u201d<\/p>\n The council\u2019s job is to:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201cAs we recover from the pandemic, we need to encourage economic growth, invest in education, training and job creation and support investment, and immigration is one part of this bold plan,\u201d said Reyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI look forward to working with the council as we review the current system and recommend creative new ways to welcome people to our province and create a place where people want to come to work, live, prosper and put down roots for their families.\u201d<\/p>\n The Immigrant Advisory Council is expected to produce a final report by the end of the year.<\/p>\n In February, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said the council\u2019s work would ensure Manitoba continues to welcome all newcomers, including refugees and international students, and the province becomes more of a destination for immigration and business investors.<\/p>\n Under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), the province selects candidates for immigration based on its specific economic needs through four streams:<\/p>\n
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\nNew Manitoba Immigration Advisory Council Already Eyeing Policy Improvements<\/span><\/a>
\nManitoba Invites 191 Canada Immigration Candidates In New PNP Draw<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nManitoba Wants Green Light From Ottawa to Bring in More Immigrants<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Immigration Advisory Council Working on Manitoba Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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MPNP Selects Immigrants Through Four Streams<\/h3>\n