Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship congratulated rural areas with new residents
On Twitter, Sean Fraser proudly noted that the pilot program to attract professionals to rural areas is working. How many people have been invited to work?
The Rural and Northern Pilot targeted 11 communities in different parts of Canada. Claresholm and the province of Alberta were among them. The project was originally planned for 3 years and was scheduled to end in 2022, but it was extended because of the pandemic.
During the program, 135 new residents arrived in the city: adults and children. Forty-nine invitees are already working full-time at local businesses.
Claresholm is one of the smallest communities in Alberta, but one of the most successful in terms of attracting immigrants.
It is difficult to find qualified staff in rural areas, so local volunteers try to retain newcomers. They hold activities with newcomers, help them adjust to life and build a sense of belonging.
Brazilian immigrant Flavia Marszaukowske works as an assistant in a local pharmacy. In the interview, she said that the process of moving is difficult, but it is worth it. She also added that she had to learn a bit to start working: "Here in Canada, the pharmacy does not work the same way as in Brazil, but everything is good.
An immigration pilot to rural areas is just a great opportunity to help Alberta grow.
Next year, more local businesses will take advantage of the program and give immigrants a chance to see what rural life has to offer.
