Key priorities we need to consider...

• Young people value diversity and want to ensure the province provides an open, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all people. They have a strong interest in preserving the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Many groups face barriers that limit their capacity to fully participate in community and work life. This includes for example, immigrants, minority populations, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal populations, and youth-at-risk.

We have a strong foundation to build on...

• The Provincial Government has implemented an Immigration Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador and a Multiculturalism Policy. It continues to support these initiatives including recent investments under the Labour Market Agreement to:

  • increase access to settlement services;
  • pilot an internship program for immigrants; and
  • address labour market challenges with International Graduates.
• The Provincial Government is currently working with other provinces and territories and the Federal Government to enhance the Foreign Credential Recognition system. This is a key priority and action item for the Forum of Labour Market Ministers.
• The province's post-secondary institutions are currently implementing aggressive campaigns to increase enrolments, including the attraction of more foreign students.
• The Provincial Government has developed an Employer's Guide to Hiring Immigrants.

• Government has invested in employment supports for marginalized groups and youth. Examples of recent investments include:

  • initiatives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, including expansion of the Community Youth Network;
  • an ongoing pilot program to identify alternative supports and services for youth at risk in partnership with the Federal Government (Youth Connect); and

  • initiatives recently announced under the Labour Market Agreement such as:

    • expansion of Targeted Wage Subsidies for non-EI Eligible Clients; and
    • expansion of access to individualized Employment Development Supports.

35. We will introduce an International Graduate Retention Incentive for international students who graduate from a provincial institution and stay in Newfoundland and Labrador to work.
36. We will proclaim an Annual Multiculturalism and Diversity Week. Last year the Provincial Government held its first Multiculturalism Week with the theme of Together We Rock during the week of March 21-27, 2009 Minister Announces Multiculturalism Week March 21-27, 2009. As a cornerstone activity of the Multiculturalism Policy for Newfoundland and Labrador, an annual multiculturalism week will serve to highlight the benefits and awareness of cultural diversity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
37. We will work with Aboriginal communities and service providers to better integrate and maximize provincial employment and training supports and services for youth with those available through federal programs such as the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) and the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS).

Download the CPRN Report "Making Newfoundland and Labrador a Province of Choice"

• Implement a public education program on the significance of diversity and its benefits to the province.
• Build public awareness of cultural celebrations such as Asian Month and Black History Month.
• Include in the education curriculum of high schools the teaching of various ethnic groups' histories in Canada.
• Strengthen immigrant settlement services.
• Strengthen existing processes to expedite the recognition of foreign credentials.
• Provide support for the transition to employment phase to new immigrants through internships.
• Organize information campaigns, community dialogues and town hall meetings to build understanding and address concerns with immigration and foster social inclusion.
• Continue to present Newfoundland and Labrador to potential immigrants in their home countries as a viable place of residence upon migration through information and advertising that positions it as a province of choice.
• Offer incentives to encourage business and industry to target and hire skilled workers in foreign countries.
• Increase the number of foreign students accepted in the province's education institutions.
• Continue to increase supports to young people at risk of dropping out of high school.
• Develop further supports for individuals with low literacy levels to readily access labour market information.

"What I am taking away from this is that: there are others that have faced the same adversity as I have, but that there are efforts being made and there seems to be a will to make a future in NL for youth."

Youth Participant

"Being able to be a participant of this summit has truly been an experience of a lifetime. Being able to not only listen to the opinions and experiences of other youth, but to share my own views, has been enlightening."

Youth Participant

"It gives me hope to know that the government wants to help make the quality of life better for us and for immigrants to the province. This summit has given me hope that myself, my fiancé, and our future children can call Newfoundland and Labrador home."

Youth Participant

"Excellent way to unite youth with different and similar interests, needs, values and ideas to enrich the province and have a chance to be heard."

Youth Participant

".even though we are all so different. In many ways, we also are very much the same. We have the same views about our environment, work in NL and how we would like things to improve our province and keep our people here."

Youth Participant