Charlottetown, June 13, 2008 - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development for Prince Edward Island, on behalf of P.E.I.'s Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, today announced the new Agreement for Canada‑Prince Edward Island Cooperation on Immigration.
The new agreement will make it easier for the province to attract more skilled international workers, to process those applications more quickly and to strengthen its Francophone community.
"The Government of Canada believes in immigration and the signing of today's new agreement means Prince Edward Island has an immigration agreement that is tailored to the province's unique needs and priorities," said Minister Finley. "The focus of the Prince Edward Island agreement is the removal of limits in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), collaboration on overseas marketing initiatives, and the targeted use of the PNP to attract and retain Francophone immigrants. This will ensure that the province is able to select the number of immigrants it needs to meet labour market demands and build a stronger economy."
"We are very pleased to renew this immigration agreement with the federal government," said Mr. Campbell. "It gives the province the authority we need to attract new immigrants who will meet gaps in our labour market and help boost our declining population."
The agreement, which sets out the roles and responsibilities in immigration matters, replaces a previous agreement signed in 2001. It includes several new provisions aimed at keeping pace with Prince Edward Island's changing economic, social and demographic needs. Specifically, the new agreement means:
- Prince Edward Island will be able to address particular social, demographic, economic development and labour market needs.
- Prince Edward Island will be able to nominate more immigrants possessing the skills needed in the province, for quicker processing by the Government of Canada.
- Prince Edward Island and Canada will work together to share information and to develop and implement strategies to better integrate immigrants into the labour market. This includes improving the process for the recognition of foreign credentials.
- Canada and Prince Edward Island will enhance their cooperation in overseas immigration marketing initiatives, including bringing temporary foreign workers and students to the province.
- There will be increased encouragement for the recruitment and retention of Francophone immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program.
The agreement formalizes and builds on the existing collaborative relationship between Canada and Prince Edward Island on immigration matters, including the delivery of settlement and integration services. It also recognizes the importance of involving community stakeholders, including service providers, municipalities and the private sector, in welcoming newcomers.
Attracting more immigrants to Prince Edward Island will help maintain population levels in the province's communities and will provide skilled workers who can meet the labour market needs of P.E.I. businesses.
For an electronic copy of the agreement signed today, please visit www.cic.gc.ca or Immigration.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Jon Stone
Director, Communications – Atlantic Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
902-426-1419
Government of Prince Edward Island
Kim Devine
Director, Communications
Innovation and Advanced Learning
902-620-3774
