The Honourable Jennifer Howard, Minister of Labour and Immigration, recently replied in relation to two 2010-11 Resolutions: “Enhancing Immigration” and “A Regional Workers Compensation Board Office For Southwestern Manitoba”. 

Enhancing Immigration 

Here is what the Resolution calls for: 

That Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Government of Manitoba provincial nominee program develop and administer clear and consistent guidelines that enable new immigrants to work and become permanent residents in the communities where there is a need for skilled labour. 

And here is the Minister’s response: 

The Honourable Jennifer Howard

“Our government has been working to increase labour market success for immigrants arriving in Manitoba during their first year of settlement. As part of this plan, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program selects immigrants based on their ability to succeed in the labour market. Manitoba is also implementing new tools to assist Provincial Nominees to begin their settlement planning prior to arriving in Manitoba, details of which I look forward to sharing with you at the earliest opportunity. This includes work we are doing with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide more Manitoba specific information on the labour market and qualifications recognition procedures pre-arrival to prospective immigrants. The more informed and prepared immigrants are before they arrive, the more likely they are to succeed in Manitoba’s labour market.   

Upon arrival, our government is working to get immigrants employed in their fields sooner. This involves working with employment agencies to advise internationally skilled immigrants on their appropriate recognition pathway, as well as funding bridging programs to assist newcomers obtain jobs that match their qualifications. Some of the qualifications recognition projects we are currently funding include projects for childhood educators, bank and credit union workers, teachers, medical laboratory technologists and midwives. 

Furthermore, the Office of the Fairness Commissioner continues to work with regulatory bodies to improve their licensing procedures. Manitoba has also contributed to the development of the First Ministers’ Pan-Canadian Framework on Foreign Qualifications Recognition to improve the assessment and recognition pathways of internationally trained immigrants. 

Although there is more work to do, we are on the right track. For example, in 2009, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominees experienced the highest employment (82.6%) and the lowest unemployment rates (4.8%) in Canada. After 3-5 years, 83% of nominees continue to work in their fields or a related field.” 

To find out more about the Manitoba Chambers’ Resolution on “Enhancing Immigration” click here. 

A Regional Workers Compensation Board Office For Southwestern Manitoba 

Here is what the Resolution calls for: 

That the WCB create a regional office in southwestern Manitoba to better serve the employers and workers. 

And here is the Minister’s response: 

“With regard to Workers Compensation Board (WCB) services, WCB operations are centralized in Winnipeg, with one satellite office in Thompson providing adjudication and case management services to that region. Winnipeg-based staff regularly travel throughout the province to meet directly with injured workers, employers and service providers, and they are able to access case files electronically from anywhere in the province. In addition, technology allows stakeholders throughout the province to interact with WCB via phone, fax or online. 

The WCBs current strategic plan includes investigating options for providing regional service. The Administration has provided the Board of Directors (the Board) with information about enhancing the WCBs regional presence by opening an office in Brandon. The Board is giving serious consideration to this matter and will be consulting with stakeholders before making a final decision.” 

To find out more about the Manitoba Chambers’ Resolution on “A Regional Workers Compensation Board Office For Southwestern Manitoba” click here.