$10 million invested in Canadian immigration for New Brunswick

September 17 2009 by Matt Jones

Keith Ashfield on Canadian immigration

The Canadian government has invested $10 million in an immigration initiative to help attract and retrain Francophone immigrants to New Brunswick

The investment will be spent as part of a four year program to help Francophone immigrants move to Canada and integrate with communities in New Brunswick. Rural communities are a special focus.

The money will be paid to organizations that wish to set up settlement services, or already have settlement services in the area. Maintaining the linguistic profile of the region is a key aim for the investment.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration said: “It is important that provinces have the resources needed to recruit and integrate Francophone newcomers. Attracting Francophone newcomers to New Brunswick ensures the continued vitality of Francophone communities and contributes to the cultural richness and diversity of the region.”

The four-year Canadian immigration program will increase Francophone immigration and successful integration rates as well as assisting the Government of New Brunswick in their efforts to maintain the only fully bilingual province in Canada.

Keith Ashfield, Minister of State said: “Our government’s $10 million investment in this initiative will help ensure that New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada have the bilingual capacity needed to maximize the region’s long-term economic potential.”

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