By Tiffany Goodwein

City selected for federal immigration pilot

Jun 14, 2019 | 3:54 PM

The City of Vernon is one of 11 communities selected to participate in a federal rural and northern immigration pilot project.

The purpose of the initiative is to supply more skilled workers to certain communities that have witnessed a loss in workers because of aging populations and a declining birth rate.

The federal government estimates that between 2001 and 2016, potential workers dropped by 23 per cent and the number of retirees has increased by 40 per cent.

Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, made the announcement in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on Friday morning.

“The equation is quite simple. Attracting and retaining newcomers with the needed skills equals a recipe for success for Canada’s rural and northern communities. We have tested a similar immigration pilot in Atlantic Canada and it has already shown tremendous results for both newcomers and Canadians,” he said in a press release statement.

Charger rollout

Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC

10h ago

Secondary Dwellings

Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands

13h ago

Wildfire Risks

Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate

Apr 23, 2026

The ministry will begin consulting with the city this summer so that the city can identify candidates for permanent residence as early as fall 2019.

The Federal Government said the workers are expected to arrive in the community in 2020.

Thunder Bay Ont.; Sault Ste. Marie Ont.; Sudbury Ont.; Timmins Ont.; North Bay Ont.; Gretna-Rhineland-Altona-Plum Coulee Man.; Brandon Man; Moose Jaw Sask. Claresholm Atla.; and the West Kootenay region of B.C. are among the other communities taking part.

by Tiffany Goodwein

View Comments