Thunder Bay region to receive up to 200 permanent resident nomination spots to attract workers

Thunder Bay - The Thunder Bay district has been selected as a site for a new immigration pilot program.

The head of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission says the city and surrounding area will receive up to 200 permanent residence nomination spots, which is sure to boost development in the region.

The Canadian Economic Development Commission announced Friday that it has been approved to participate in the province's regional economic development through an immigration pilot. This is a program lasting about a year, aimed at promoting the immigration of skilled workers to areas of the province outside the Greater Toronto Area by helping employers obtain permanent residence for new or existing employees.

"This is a new opportunity for Thunder Bay," said Jamie Taylor, CEO of Thunder Bay CEDC. "This is unprecedented in Northern Ontario, and we are pleased that the provincial government is working with us and recognizing that we are doing some excellent work here, and that Thunder Bay needs dedicated spots."

Taylor said healthcare remains the sector with the greatest need for new employees, with other priority areas being retail and accommodation.

Taylor said the CEDC will promote the program, provide resources for employers wishing to take advantage of the pilot, and act as a liaison with the provincial government, although the specific role the CEDC will play has yet to be determined.

Overall, she added, the selection of the Thunder Bay district as one of the approved areas for the program is significant.

"Demographically, we are not growing as fast as we used to, and immigration is certainly part of economic growth," said Taylor. "So immigration is very important, and it is great to see that we recognize the importance of northern communities, especially Thunder Bay."

Currently, the CEDC is awaiting word on whether it has been selected to participate in another federal immigration program - the Rural Community Immigration Pilot. This program is actually a follow-up to the completed Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which attracted over 1,200 people to work in Thunder Bay.

"Fingers crossed," Taylor said while waiting for an announcement from Ottawa.

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/new-immigration-pilot-aims-to-attract-skilled-workers-10094175