Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut

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1 18th Na'onal Metropolis Conference Toronto, ON, March 5rd, Block G9, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Rachael Noelle Pettigrew, PhD Mount Royal University Calgary, AB Bill Ashton, MCIP, PhD Eleni Galatsanou, MSc Rural Development Institute, Brandon University

2 Research Objec,ves Ø An extension of a larger project called Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in Ci'zenship and Immigra'on Canada s Western Region (Ashton, PeXgrew, & Galatsanou, 2015) Ø Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Bri'sh Columbia Ø Primary Objec,ve: Inventory se-lement services in the 3 territories (Nunavut, Yukon & Northwest Territories) and to iden'fy gaps, barriers and needs. Ø Secondary objec,ve: Determine exis'ng partnerships and applicability of the Local Immigra'on Partnership (LIP). Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 2

3 Defini,ons Newcomers (in Canada from 1 day to 5 years) Permanent Residents Refugees Refugee Claimants Temporary Foreign Workers Naturalized Ci'zens Interna'onal Students Newcomers ineligible for services - no access to CIC funded se-lement services Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 3

4 Yukon, Northwest Territories & Nunavut Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 4

5 Territorial Increase in Permanent Residents Permanent Residents (PRs) in the 3 Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territory and Nunavut) in comparison to Canada, Year Total PRs in the 3 Territories Total PRs -Canada 262, , , , , ,404 Percent of Canada s PRs 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% Territorial Demographic Changes Despite rural/remote loca'on all 3 territories are seeing a rise in the number of newcomers se-ling (Nunavut steady and small) Yukon reports the highest increase in newcomers with a 369% in the number of permanent residents between Propor'onately small percentage of Canada s PRs Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 5

6 Territorial Increase in Permanent Residents Permanent Residents by Territory Yukon Permanent Residents NWT Nunavut Source: CIC's Facts and Figures Immigra'on overview: Permanent residents by province or territory and urban area (Accessed on August 8th, 2015) Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 6

7 Research design and methods Phone surveys with 13 senior officials from SeTlement Service Provider Organiza,ons Conducted by a SPO umbrella organiza'on in 2015 Tops Covered: Available se-lement and integra'on services Gaps in services Newcomer needs for services Ease of newcomer se-lement and finding employment Partnerships Organiza'onal capacity Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 7

8 Sample & Feedback Territory Population 2011 census Permanent Resident Landings* 2014 Surveys completed Feedback requested Feedback received Northwest Territories 41, Yukon 33, Nunavut 31, Total 107, * (CIC Facts and Figures, 2014) Par'cipants and other community stakeholders provided feedback on the drai territorial report, which was applied to the final report. Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 8

9 Limita,ons Ø Data was collected from SPO representa'ves. Newcomers were not consulted. SPO s percep'on about those newcomers who access or look for services. Ø Recruitment challenges: due to limited SPO availability, only 1 par'cipant from Nunavut Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 9

10 Territorial Results All territories report an increase in newcomers Due to mainly economic opportuni'es, but also family reunifica'on. Yukon nominee program Ease of setlement Yukon and Nunavut reported se-lement as easy for newcomers Responses from NWT were mixed Se-ling in larger centers (e.g., Yellowknife) facilitates ease of se-lement Increased availability of services and poten'al presence of ethnocultural supports Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 10

11 Territorial Results Newcomer setlement hindered by: High cost of living Shortage of housing Language difficul'es Harsh climate Isolated geographic loca'on Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 11

12 Territorial Results Finding employment Majority of SPO reported newcomers could find work easily, however newcomers (especially those with language difficul'es) are oien under employed or in low paid posi'ons Cultural understanding of the Canadian workplace and expecta'ons needed With improved language skills and Canadian work experience newcomers can easily move into be-er roles Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 12

13 Territorial Findings Services most needed by newcomers (Needs were similar for newcomers either eligible or ineligible for CIC services) Language training and related supports Help finding housing and employment Informa'on and orienta'on on community and Canadian culture Help filing ci'zenship and permanent resident paperwork Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 13

14 Territorial Findings Barriers to accessing services Language difficul'es Financial difficul'es Ineligibility for services Access to childcare during service devlivery Confused where to find support Transporta'on difficul'es Lack of services in some areas Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 14

15 SPO Organiza,onal Capaci,es Territorial Findings Yukon, Northwest Territories & Nunavut Meet repor,ng requirements Staff skills for delivery and maintenance of services Communica,on with stakeholders Coordina,ng services with other service providers Financial support to maintain current services from gov t sources Mobiliza,on of community to support and welcome newcomers Financial support to maintain current services from other sources Crea,on of governing and strategic plan Provide services in both official languages Staff to provide services Adequate Capacity 84.6% 76.9% 69.2% 69.2% 61.5% 61.5% 46.2% 46.2% 46.2% 46.2% Inadequate Capacity 15.4% 23.1% 30.8% 30.8% 38.5% 38.5% 53.8% 53.8% 53.8% 53.8% Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 15

16 Territorial Findings GAPS in services offered in the 3 Territories Lack of services that focus on integra'on (most services were focused on se-lement ac'vi'es) Expansion of services needed (both hours of offerings and into remote areas) Capacity to offer services in both official languages Support ci'zenship and permanent resident applica'ons Computer training Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 16

17 Territorial Findings Partnerships All SPOs reported working in partnership with someone in the community Employers An example of collabora've partnerships, The Immigra+on Strategy Working Group, in Yukon Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 17

18 Conclusion In light of harsh climate and limited funding and resources, all 3 territories are seeing growth in their newcomer popula'on This growth is projected to con'nue Newcomers can expect to se-le and find employment easily (at least entry level and low paid) Strong English language skills improves odds of both. Most significant need in all 3 territories was plen'ful and affordable housing Compounding effect: newcomer underemployment + high cost of living = newcomers working mul'ple jobs to cover housing costs Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 18

19 Conclusion Increase in English language supports is needed Funding is needed for integra'on support ac'vi'es Increase in funding overall in order to meet growing demand Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 19

20 Partners Provincial Governments: BC, AB, SK, MB Territorial Governments Se-lement Service Providers Associa'ons AMSSA, AAISA, SAISIA, MIRSSA, YTEC Research Par'cipants Immigra'on Se-lement Services and Gaps in the Western Region: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut 20

21 Ques,ons Reports can be found at h-ps:// and h-p://umanitoba.ca/facul'es/arts/research/immigra'on/3747.html Contact: Rural Development Ins'tute, Brandon University P: Rachael PeXgrew: 21