Input welcomed by government until Sept. 30
Manitoba is looking to hear stakeholders’ take on addressing labour shortages through immigration.
“Our government recognizes the staffing challenges facing employers, so finding the best ways to tap into the skills and experience that many newcomers have to offer to address the current labour shortage has the potential to lead to a stronger workforce for all Manitobans,” says Jon Reyes, minister of advanced education, skills and immigration.
Input from stakeholders will be discussed within the Manitoba Immigration Advisory Council (MIAC), co-chaired by Reyes and Lloyd Axworthy, and includes 20 members with expertise related to immigration services, governance, economic development, project management and community integration.
In April, the federal government announced new measures that will open the country’s door to foreign workers to address labour shortages. In July, however, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford called for the federal government to improve immigration rules in the province amid the ongoing labour shortage.
MIAC represents front-line immigration service providers, ethnocultural community leaders and organizations, and members of Manitoba’s business, industry and academic communities. It also has urban, regional and francophone representation.
During the past several months, the council held town halls across the province, listening to Manitobans offer thoughts on:
- improving immigration programs and policies
- improving the responsiveness of programs to address labour market shortages and needs
- ensuring programs and services support newcomers to the province to strengthen the economy for all.
Concerned parties can share their inputs through https://engagemb.ca/immigration-advisory-council-immigration-programs-in-mb until Sept. 30.
Canada is well poised to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic by relying more on new immigrants to help alleviate the labour shortage, former immigration minister Marco Mendicino said in February.
