Immigrant Association Seeks to Fill Labour Needs

The Niagara Immigrants Employment Council was launched last month in order to fulfill the goals of attracting new Canadian immigrants to the Niagara, Ontario region and to promote the hiring of such immigrants by local employers. With participation from representatives of the region's leading companies and the presidents of local colleges and universities, the organization believes that it can help reduce local labour shortages.

By 2011, the growth of the Niagara region's labour force will depend mainly on foreign-trained individuals. The Niagara Economic Development Corporation identified a shortage of approximately 35,000 to 48,000 workers by the year 2010. The focus on attracting and retaining new immigrants is seen as a critical step in ensuring the region's continued vitality.