Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, and Moira Stilwell, B.C. Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, have signed a new Canada-British Columbia Immigration Agreement.
The agreement aims to help new immigrants integrate into British Columbia society, ensuring they can succeed and contribute to the Canadian economy. Kenney stated that the agreement will help temporary foreign workers enter British Columbia to fill critical labor shortages in the province's market.
Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, added that as Canada emerges from the global economic recession, this agreement will help Canada attract more international skilled workers who meet the country's economic needs, while strengthening British Columbia's ability to meet labor market demands now and in the future.
Stilwell noted that the new agreement will strengthen cooperation between the federal government and the British Columbia government, increasing efforts to provide places for new immigrants to live and work in British Columbia. New immigrants will not only enrich the social fabric of British Columbia but will also bring economic benefits, spark innovation, attract businesses and workers, and stimulate economic growth.
Under the new agreement, British Columbia will receive $114 million in funding this year to support the settlement and integration of new immigrants into British Columbia society.
Helping British Columbia attract, retain, and integrate more new immigrants will bring comprehensive benefits to Canada's society, culture, and economy.
