Learn More
Find all the information found on this page here as a downloadable resource.
About Immigration
- Learn more about immigration
- Check out ISANS’ Better Together – Introduction to Immigration
- Check out Immigration Matters by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada here.
- Diversify your news sources
- Learn a new language
- Attend a Diversity workshop or a training on Inter-Cultural Awareness
Check out Promising Practices
Partnering with local libraries – Pictou and Antigonish are cited as examples in the toolkit “Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees to Canada: The Role of Municipalities – Toolkit for Inclusive Municipalities in Canada and Beyond” (2019, page 19)
Welcome and get to know newcomers
- Support a local small business run by an immigrant
- Check out ISANS’ Immigrant Marketplace App: Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Invite a newcomer family over for supper
- Volunteer to support newcomers
- Check out ISANS’ many volunteer roles
Take a lead in your community
- Challenge racist remarks – in your home, workplace, place of worship (is there a resource we can refer people to?
- Host a diversity lunch at your workplace & invite a newcomer to speak
- Host a welcoming event
Municipalities around Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is a collective voice for Nova Scotia’s 49 municipalities. For more information regarding your municipality, please visit their membership directory here.
Local Libraries
- Libraries often provide services for newcomers
Immigrant Settlement Issues at Municipal Level
Housing:
- Safe and affordable housing
- Rental accommodations for large families
Transportation
- Public transportation services
- Options for those with mobility issues
Community Resources
- Immigrant support services
- Cultural and religious community supports
- Policies and programs that build welcoming and diverse communities
- Physical Activity and Sport: Engaging Newcomer Girls & Women: Physical Activity & Sport Handbook | Canadian Women & Sport (womenandsport.ca)
Permanent resident voting rights in municipal elections:
- Proposed by Halifax Regional Council , waiting for provincial government response
http://legacycontent.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/141202ca1133.pdf
http://legacycontent.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/151110ca1142.pdf
Federal Policies for Immigration at Municipal Level
New Municipal Nominee Program
From the Federal Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada Mandate Letter for the Honourable Marco Mendicino
Introduce a Municipal Nominee Program that will allow local communities, chambers of commerce and local labour councils to directly sponsor permanent immigrants. At least 5,000 new spaces will be dedicated for this program.
Read the full mandate letter here.
From Canadian Liberal Party Platform 2019: Municipal Nominee Program
We will make it easier for communities to welcome the workers they need most.
While immigration benefits Canada as a whole, not every community – including those experiencing serious labour shortages – is able to make the most of the contributions new Canadians can bring.
To make sure that communities of all sizes are better able to attract and support new Canadians, we will more forward with a Municipal Nominee Program. This program will allow local communities, chambers of commerce, and local labour councils to directly sponsor permanent immigrants.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The pilot helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.
In Nova Scotia 1,150 companies are designated under the pilot from various sectors – food and hospitality, truck drivers, education, health care, computer programmers and fish and seafood are participating in the pilot, with a 60/40 split between Halifax and other areas of the province.
Read more about the Atlantic Immigration Pilot here:
From the Federal Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada Mandate Letter for the Honourable Marco Mendicino
You will also take the steps required to make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot permanent. At least 5,000 new spaces will be dedicated for this program.
Read the full mandate letter here.
Recent Resources ISANS Provided for Municipal Election 2020
