William D. Casey, M.P.

Cumberland Colchester

712 Confederation Building

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

House of Commons

Chambre des communes

Canada

Press Release

Ottawa Tel: (613) 992-3366

Ottawa Fax: (613) 992-7220

Amherst Tel: (902) 667-8679

Truro Tel: (902) 893-2455

October 9, 2002

Ottawa – The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has agreed to participate in a meeting in Truro, Nova Scotia to explore a proposal by MP Bill Casey, which would see a group of families immigrate to the Truro area.  Under the current regulations, only one applicant at a time is considered through the immigration process.  Casey’s pilot project proposal would be the first of its kind in Canada.

            The exploratory meeting is now being organized through Casey’s office and will include the Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, Truro Mayor Bill Mills, Colchester County Mayor Mike Smith, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, economic development groups, church organizations, multicultural organizations and employers in the community.

            The Census released earlier this year, indicated that most immigrants move to communities, often, urban areas, which already have established cultural and religious communities, that are similar to their own.  Areas with little or no immigration are unable to attract these families.

            Census information indicates that the areas to which new immigrants move experience more vibrant economies and lower unemployment.  Casey believes by participating in immigration, the local economy and our community as a whole, stands to benefit.  One multicultural organization in Truro already has members from 28 different countries living in the area.

            The restrictions in the current immigration policy came to Casey’s attention when a community organization in Truro attempted to sponsor five Korean families to come to Truro several years ago, but because Citizenship and Immigration would only consider one applicant at a time, those families settled in other urban centres in Canada. 

            Casey says “this is an economic development issue where immigration can play an integral and positive role in our community and our local economy”.

-30-

For more information:

Bill Casey, M.P.

(613) 992-3366

(902) 893-2455