Pond-Deshpande Centre’s NouLAB to research economic immigrant retention challenges in New Brunswick
News Release
November 14, 2017– Fredericton, N.B. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Immigration is key to building strong Atlantic communities and improving the region’s ability to compete in a global market. Increased immigration can play a significant role in meeting the skills shortages limiting economic development.
Thanks to investments by the federal and provincial governments, an initiative is underway to research and prototype new solutions to the complex challenges of immigrant retention in New Brunswick. The initiative is being led by NouLAB, New Brunswick’s Social and Public Innovation Lab which is a joint-program of the University of New Brunswick’s Pond-Deshpande Centre and Social Policy Research Network.
Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), was joined by the Honourable Gilles LePage, New Brunswick Minister of Labour, Employment and Population Growth, along with Karina LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Pond-Deshpande Center, to make the announcement today.
NouLab’s in-depth process will bring together numerous perspectives, including those of new Canadians, settlement agencies, municipalities, academia, provincial and federal governments, and the public-at-large. The results of NouLAB’s research will lead to more coordinated, strategic, and integrated solutions to increase population growth through immigrant retention in New Brunswick.
The Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $190,000 to this initiative under ACOA’s Business Development Program. The Province of New Brunswick is also contributing $222,000 though the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.
This project builds on the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to drive economic growth in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which places an emphasis on increasing immigration to help confront one of the most critical issues faced by the Atlantic region.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting initiatives that help build resilient Atlantic Canadian communities, attract investment and talent from around the world, create more jobs, brings greater prosperity to Canada’s middle class and those seeking to join it, and ensures inclusive growth. The research being done by the Pond-Deshpande Centre will help increase the rate of immigrant retention in New Brunswick, ensuring the region can develop a strong economy and remain competitive in global markets.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
“The work being done by the Pond-Deshpande Centre’s NouLAB will give us valuable insights into the complex immigrant retention challenges we face in New Brunswick. Having the information we need to develop new solutions to these challenges will help us make the right decisions and implement the right strategies to ensure that we can continue building strong, inclusive and thriving communities by addressing skill shortages, growing our population, and developing and diversifying our economy.”
- Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Your government recognizes the importance of retaining immigrants who land and settle in New Brunswick. Newcomers from all over the world are considering making New Brunswick their home – to be part of our growing communities as valuable participants in our workforce and in helping to build the fabric of our communities. We are pleased to support NouLAB’s research as increased immigration can help meet skills shortages in our province and move our economy forward.”
- The Honourable Gilles LePage, Minister of Labour, Employment, and Population Growth
"Gaining a deeper understanding of complex social questions requires all of us at the table, and we’re working hard at the Pond-Deshpande Centre to gain the knowledge we need to help retain economic immigrants and position New Brunswick as a leader in social innovation. We are so pleased to have the federal and provincial governments as key partners in helping us move towards sustainable solutions to one of our most pressing challenges."
- Karina LeBlanc, Executive Director, Pond-Deshpande Centre
Contacts
Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-261-5534
Stéphanie Bilodeau
Communications
Province of New Brunswick
Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
506-453-4090
Karina LeBlanc
Executive Director
Pond-Deshpande Centre
506-726-5000