by PAUL RAYNER

Immigration can be a difficult experience, and there is no easy way for a community to recruit them. But the overall rewards are there for both the new arrival and the community involved.

That was one of the themes coming out of the immigration meeting held on February 25. Hosted by the Turtle Mountain Development Corporation, and including the participation of different segments of the community, including newcomers to the community itself, it attempted to tackle the sometimes confusing but still all important task of increasing population in the area from outside of the country.

Joy Dornian of the regional MAFRI GO team facilitated the meeting. She began with facts and figures relating to immigration, as well as a run down of various programs. Since 2000, around 10,000 newcomers have come to the province, most from the Provincial Nominee Program. The good news about these immigrants is that now about 82% stay in Manitoba, which is now the fourth largest destination in the country. However, only 2350 came out to the rural areas. Winkler, which has worked hard at increasing their numbers, is the number one rural destination in the province.

Having immigrants go to major centres is not too surprising (the top three destinations are Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver), especially when one looks at some of the countries immigrants are leaving. The Philippines, India, China and the Republic of Korea are the top four, and cities offer them larger communities of their own people into which to settle.

Dornian gave a brief overview of a pair of governmental programs under which immigrants can come or be recruited. The federal program takes four years to bring people, which can be a long and frustrating process. More attention was given to the Provincial Nominee Program, which is considered more flexible, one in which businesses or communities can recruit specifically for particular jobs or professions. For example, Cartwright was able to find needed welders through it. Like any program, there are considerable criteria, but Dornian said it worked well.

“It is more flexible,” she stated. “It is aimed at people who genuinely want to stay in Manitoba and it can help you fill specific needs.”

Why do immigrants come? Heather Ayre of Minto spoke to that point. Coming from Devon, England, she said there are many reasons for immigrants to come to Canada, and speaking specifically for British, she had a few definite ones. For example, the housing costs are extremely high. Houses often start at the equivalent of $400,000, without land costs, and that is not including prime areas like London. Car insurance is considerably lower; as Ayre said her nephew’s insurance costs more than the vehicle he purchased.

“For someone coming from Europe,” Ayre stated, “they can buy a lot and build at quite a bargain. The exchange rate always changes, but basically the pound is double, so that helps too.”

However, moving is always difficult. Ayre and her family came to the area about five years ago through the federal program. Although they arrived at their Minto home, their possessions did not. That is where a small community came into play.

“Fortunately for us we were in Minto, so we could borrow things, because sometimes the immigrants come before the containers.”

There are many differences in lifestyles people do not recognize. As all the British immigrants in the room attested, although English is a common language, terminology is quite different, so people must become accustomed to it. Education for children is different, as the UK has a national curriculum, much more standardized, and often the students have a tough time adjusting. Obviously, the climate is quite a shock. As Ayre stated, she was unfamiliar with any temperature below –5 Celsius. Winter driving was a challenge.

“This can especially be a problem for people coming from hot countries.”

Animals and their implications are different, as a bout with rabies proved. Coming in through real estate agents, they were originally steered to deal with a bank in Brandon that had no local representation. They had no credit history, which proved a challenge as well. 

Another frustration is transferring qualifications. As rural communities have already experienced with health care professionals, often a long process is required to satisfy agencies that someone performing a task elsewhere is qualified to do it here. Ayre was a teacher in Britain, but found her qualifications were not recognized as they were upon arrival.

“It’s harder than you think,” she explained. “People come with expectations, and they don’t know why a ‘degree is not a degree’”

Despite challenges, life in the area is rewarding, and these lifestyle differences can be used to attract newcomers. Our crime rate is low, there is no overcrowding, and even winter brings its own opportunities.

“There is a higher standard of living here. Britain is so expensive. The people are so friendly. If Minto was not so friendly, we likely would have gone back.”

The group discussed different issues. Dornian asked the question as to whether the community felt they needed immigrants. Several spoke up in favour, particularly in light of specific jobs. Mayor Ed Anderson brought up the need for mechanics, contractors and someone to run a high level restaurant. Dornian said it is also good for “business replacement” – someone to purchase existing businesses from those wanting to retire. It helps fill the schools and makes every part of a community more viable and vital.

Some suggestions for attracting immigrants included advertising in the home countries – in immigration magazines or trade papers, or attending immigration fairs. Creating information packages was also considered important. These could include any number of facts from the area, such as health care information or where to find financial assistance, to help newcomers. As Ayre stated, it is important to settle and retain immigrants as well as getting them. One of the big ones, she said is to remember more than one person is coming.

“The focus tends to be on the person you are recruiting,” she explained. “You have to consider the family. Sometimes it is harder on the wife and kids.”

Dornian explained that her trip to Boissevain was part of a “road show” in the Southwest region. She is visiting communities to try to gauge interest in a proposal for a two-year program, which would help the area collectively recruit immigrants.

“If we were to go to an immigration fair,” Dornian explained, “it is easier to pay the costs together. It is something where we should think regionally and there is money available.”

She asked community members to meet again locally on the issue, do needs assessments regarding immigration and then she would work at getting the communities together to move forward on a strategy.