THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay area has been selected as a site in a new immigration pilot program.
The head of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission says the city and surrounding area being granted up to 200 guaranteed nominations for people who want to become permanent residents can only help the region grow.
The CEDC announced on Friday that it has been approved to be a part of the province’s regional economic development through immigration pilot. It’s a roughly year-long initiative that aims to bolster the immigration of skilled workers to areas of the province outside of the Greater Toronto Area by helping employers secure permanent residences for new or existing workers.
“It’s a new opportunity for Thunder Bay,” said Jamie Taylor, the chief executive officer of the Thunder Bay CEDC. “This is something that's never happened in northern Ontario and we're really happy that the provincial government is partnering with us and have acknowledged that we've done some great work here and there's a need for dedicated spots in Thunder Bay.”
Taylor said that healthcare remains the sector most in need of new employees, with other priorities being retail and accommodations.
The CEDC will promote the program, be a resource for employers who want to take advantage of the pilot, and be a liaison with the provincial government said Taylor, although the exact role the CEDC will play is still being finalized.
Overall, she added, the Thunder Bay area being chosen as one of the approved areas for the program is important.
“We know through our demographics that we're not growing as fast as we used to and immigration is definitely a part of our economic growth,” Taylor said. “So it's very important and it's great to see that we have that recognition that northern communities, especially Thunder Bay, are important.”
This announcement comes as the CEDC awaits word on whether it will be selected to be part of a separate federal immigration program — the Rural Community Immigration Pilot — which effectively follows up on the now-completed Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which saw more than 1,200 people come to Thunder Bay to work.
“Fingers crossed,” Taylor said of waiting for an announcement from Ottawa.
