Back in 2018, NBMC partnered with economists David Campbell and Richard Saillant on a provincial awareness raising tour around the demographic and labour market realities in our province and we presented immigration as an essential part of the solution.
We visited 15 communities and developed 15 regional reports.
During the events panelists, including newcomers, employers and community members, were invited to share the more human side of the issue. The regional reports, the impact report and the recommendations that came out of the tour were used by the communities at a local level as they started to mobilize around how to be more welcoming and inclusive for newcomers in their regions. Some of the recommendations were also referenced and included in the provinces population growth strategy.
WE ARE NOW READY TO LAUNCH A SECOND TOUR, VIRTUALLY DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Along with presenting up to date labour market replacement data and continuing our awareness raising efforts, we are looking to push that conversation even further. The New Conversations Tour 2.0 virtual events will include region-specific population and workforce projections; information on the importance of immigration to New Brunswick's public finances; the impacts of future immigration on the educational system; and, the imperative for local governments to organize in support of immigration at the local level. For government and for NBMC and other provincial organizations, this is also a chance to gain insights into the local challenges and support needed relating to immigration and population growth, and will therefore inform future planning.