https://www.welcomenwo.ca/
Lakehead University is putting the finishing touches on a research project about “Welcoming Newcomers” to our area.
Dr. Kathy Sanderson says her team is trying to figure out what kind of activities and services are needed to attract immigrants or people living outside our region.
She says the research will assist communities and organizations in efforts to fill employment gaps and make life more comfortable for potential new residents.
Dr. Sanderson says, “Northwestern Ontario has had some success in recruiting newcomers but the difficulty is after a few years they tend to leave to go to larger centres. So our goal would be to have interventions that would encourage them to stay and to make Northwestern Ontario their home.”
The study focuses on current gaps and needs in Sioux Lookout, Atikokan and Thunder Bay.
Dr. Sanderson says interviews have been completed and they are seeking public input from the three participating communities through an online survey.
“Finding out how their experience has been fitting in both in the community and in the organizations that they might be working for.”
The survey is open until February 15 and to participate visit https://www.welcomenwo.ca/
Dr. Sanderson says they selected Thunder Bay because it’s the largest centre in Northwestern Ontario.
In terms of Atikokan, Dr. Sanderson says, “They have a limited amount of diversity within their population. They are a very small community but they still have employment needs that are not being met with the local population.”
She notes Atikokan has had a need to recruit newcomers for certain jobs.
Dr. Sanderson says in terms of Sioux Lookout, “It is a far more diverse community and they are always looking for people to fill certain professional roles, especially within health care.”
She notes Sioux Lookout at any given time usually has about 200 vacancies for professional positions and they also have become reliant on newcomers to Canada.
Ryan Hron of Waldhof and a Dryden High School graduate is involved in the study as a Research Assistant.
Hron is a graduate student at Lakehead University in the Master of Science in Management program.
To hear more from Dr. Kathy Sanderson about the research project visit the Audio link below:
Ontario’s New Immigrant Landings Research Findings
Lack of regionalization among Ontario’s immigrants
-77% Greater Toronto Area
-24% Remainder of Ontario
-0.15% Northwestern Ontario
