TRIECAllLeaders talk immigrant integration

Leaders talk immigrant integration

Ideas are shared at 2010 ALLIES Learning Exchange in Halifax, May 6-7

May 6, 2010
Canadian Immigrant Magazine

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On May 5, 2010, representatives from ALLIES attended a pre-conference event “The Business Case for Hiring Skilled Immigrants.”
Front row (from left to right): Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC and chair of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC); Ramona Jennex, minister of immigration, Nova Scotia; Ratna Omidvar, president, Maytree; Darrell Dexter, premier, Nova Scotia.
Back row (from left to right): Stephen Huddart, COO, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation; Paul Kent, president and CEO, Greater Halifax Partnership; Alan Broadbent, chairman, Maytree

Local leaders in cities across Canada are taking action to integrate skilled newcomers into the workplace to ensure future prosperity in our cities and communities. Fact is, by 2011, Canada will rely 100 per cent on immigrants for our net labour market growth. On May 6-7, 175 delegates from urban communities across Canada are meeting in Halifax at the 2010 ALLIES Learning Exchange to share and discuss practical and successful solutions for immigrant employment that can be adapted to other cities.

“Through ALLIES, we are proud to be building a pan-Canadian project that is connecting employers across the country and leveraging their capacity to tap into the talents of skilled immigrants,” says Ratna Omidvar, president of Maytree Foundation.

In Halifax, the Connector program has opened professional networks to more than 100 skilled newcomers in the past year. In Edmonton, recent immigrants are matched to professionals in their field through mentoring. In Montreal, employers are sharing their best practices on the recruitment and retention of skilled workers through round tables. In Calgary, an immigrant employment council is bringing employers and immigrant agencies together for a coordinated approach to mentoring. In Toronto, employers who actively embrace newcomers are recognized in a yearly award ceremony.

Across the country, online videos and roadmaps guide employers to recruit diverse employees through hireimmigrants.ca.

The ALLIES 2010 Learning Exchange is a catalyst for sharing ideas, connecting with others, and inspiring action from the participants from 12 cities across Canada. Funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by ALLIES, a joint project of Maytree and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the 2010 Learning Exchange will allow delegates to learn how to engage employers, set up successful and sustainable programs, and work with all levels of government.

Reference: Canadian Immigrant Magazine