Canada and Nova Scotia sign immigration agreement

The Canadian federal government and the province of Nova Scotia have signed a new immigration agreement that will allow the province to attract more skilled workers from overseas.

Canada's immigration minister, Diane Finely, and the immigration minister for Nova Scotia, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, signed the 'Agreement for Canada-Nova Scotia Co-operation on Immigration', during a ceremony on 19 September 2007.

The ceremony took place at Pier 21, a historic ocean-liner passenger terminal turned museum that is often compared to Ellis Island in the United States.

Finley stated that the government is proud to make the long-term commitment with Nova Scotia. "We want to help Nova Scotia grow economically by attracting new immigrants. Today's agreement will help Nova Scotia share in the benefits of immigration to Canada, and will make our shared immigration programs more responsive to Nova Scotia's unique needs," she said.

The agreement will enhance Nova Scotia's ability to attract migrants through the provincial nominee program based on several categories including skilled worker, family business owner, community identified, and international graduate.

The new agreement will:

• Enhance cooperation between Canada and Nova Scotia in overseas immigration marketing programs, including bringing temporary foreign workers and students to the province
• Increase Nova Scotia's quota for nominating skilled migrants for quicker processing by the federal government
• Allow Nova Scotia to address particular social, demographic, economic development, and labor market needs
• Help Nova Scotia and Canada to collaborate on information sharing and develop and implement strategies to better integrate migrants into the labor market, including recognition of qualifications

"Changes to the nominee program such as the removal of the restrictions on the number of individuals we're able to nominate, and making it easier and faster for temporary foreign workers to enter Nova Scotia, are just two of the areas that will make our province more attractive to immigrants and help Nova Scotia businesses meet their labormarket needs," Bolivar-Getson said.