Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Monte Solberg, met this week with the country's four Atlantic Provinces to explore new ways of working together in a bid to increase the number of Newcomers that settle east of Ontario.

Mr. Solberg was invited to attend the Atlantic Immigration Ministers Forum, a conference which is aimed at increasing collaboration on immigration in the Atlantic region. "I'm very pleased to be meeting with my provincial colleagues on attracting and retaining immigrants to Atlantic Canada," announced Minister Solberg. "This joint initiative speaks to the importance of immigration to this region."

The host of the forum, Nova Scotia Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, noted the event's importance by saying, "Our region has tremendous advantages to offer newcomers and by working together with my colleagues in Atlantic Canada, we can help ensure individuals are aware of those advantages. Of course, of critical importance for all of us is helping newcomers settle successfully in our region," she said.

The discussion focused particularly on the unique demographic and labour market conditions in Atlantic Canada. The meeting centered on the role of communities and immigration organizations in attracting and integrating newcomers. "We are committed to raising awareness of the Atlantic Provinces as a destination of choice for immigrants and working on skill shortages and labour market gaps," said Michael F. Currie, Minister responsible for Prince Edward Island's Business Development.

Mr Solberg in addressing the conference attendees said that while he acknowledges that support for immigrants settling in the region must be further strengthened, he commends the "energetic" and "innovative" approach that the federal ministers have taken on this issue so far. He added that he looked forward to working "closely and collaboratively" with his colleagues in establishing new initiatives to increasing the number of newcomers to the region.