A move is underway to possibly have Belleville take part in a federal-provincial “Rural Immigration Program” involving skilled labour.
At the city council meeting Monday, Councillor Ryan Williams introduced the motion to get the city involved in the Rural and Northern Immigration pilot program which was formed to help spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities throughout Canada.
Williams told council it’s what Belleville and area need to counter the labour shortage.
He said at the present rate “it will take 37 years to build the homes needed” in the city and area.
The funding provided would bring immigrants here and place them in jobs.
The government program is aimed at testing a “new pathway to permanent residence in rural Canada for skilled foreign nationals at various skilled levels.
The program is to “create welcoming environments that encourage and help new immigrants to stay in their new communities.
It indicates the organizaton that submits the application, in this case the city, would have to work with community groups, including employers, to attract and integrate newcomers.
Williams emphasized that the Economic Development department “has to have a committee” and a strategy.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk noted Williams should have brought a notice of motion to council rather than just make a presentation.
Council agreed to apply for the pilot program, but stopped short of forming a task force at this stage.
