N.L. POURS MILLIONS INTO IMMIGRATION
CBC – Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
March 22 2007
Pastor Machado is an engineer who came to Newfoundland and Labrador
as a Colombian refugee with his wife and daughters. With a $6 million
plan announced on Wednesday, the province aims to keep them here.
Machado said there’s nowhere else he would rather be living right now,
but he needs help before he can find work in his profession.
"I want to stay here because this is a peaceful place. My family
is glad to be here," he said. He needs to work on his English and
possibly upgrade his technical skills.
"For people in our country, it is complicated to get training here,"
Machado said.
Aiming to change that, the provincial government announced on Wednesday
it would devote $6 million to attract more immigrants to the province.
Of the 250,000 immigrants who come to Canada each year, only about
150 of them settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador. The
government wants to triple that number.
Part of the plan includes extending the health coverage to
international students. Money will also go to enriching programs to
help immigrants upgrade their skills so they can work in the province.
Human Resources Minister Shawn Skinner said it’s important to attract
more people, or the province will suffer economically.
"People are what drive the demand for goods and services. Fewer people
can impact economic growth," Skinner said. "Through their work and
investment people generate the wealth needed to sustain our province."
Aida Icababian came to Newfoundland in 2005 with a teaching degree
from her native Armenia. She hopes to find work in her profession
once her English improves. She too, hopes to stay in the province.
"Government maybe will do something for us to stay here because we
have to work," She said.
The province expects to open the new immigration office in April.
From: Baghdasarian