LQRDA Immigration

Becoming a permanent resident of Nova Scotia is a life-enriching decision. You'll be able to enjoy an exceptional quality of life, beautiful environment and diverse economy. And it could all begin through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). The Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency (LQRDA) is one of 13 RDA's across Nova Scotia mandated to work in partnership with other organizations to facilitate sustainable community economic development. This involves a diverse range of activities; among them, acting as the local organization mandated to field immigrant inquiries, interview potential applicants, and administer aspects of pre-qualifying applicants for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. In 2007, LQRDA was approved under the Office of Immigration to fund a term position for Navigation Immigration Officer. Mr. Corey Pickens has been working on settlement and integration practices in Lunenburg Queens. He has also been working on a public education series that introduces our local immigrants and their tremendous contributions to our communities. Our goal is to move towards a more structured team approach. For Immediate Release: Provincial Nominee Program Working Well in Lunenburg Queens November 26 2007
Lunenburg Queens Immigration Meeting a Success Janurary 18 2008

South Shore Newcomer Network Welcoming newcomers has a specific, local dimension, requiring the support of the public, and various groups and organizations that operate within a particular community. Immigration is an issue that strikes at the heart: people will come and stay only if they can provide for their families, make personal contacts, and build supportive networks in their workplaces and communities. When newcomers arrive in our area, we have an opportunity to make them aware of the many possibilities that exist. It is important that newcomers to our area experience an accepting and welcoming community. To provide leadership in this area, Corey Pickens has developed a regional settlement strategy for the area. The basic strategy is fourfold: To provide the necessary settlement guidance that allows newcomers successful integration. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact that immigrants have on our communities. To continue to explore “big picture challenges” identified by key employers and help them understand the services available for newcomer orientation and settlement. To assist in the design of programs that meet specific newcomers’ needs. Our focus is on increasing awareness about the benefits of immigration and supporting multiculturalism to develop Lunenburg/Queens as an open and welcoming destination for everyone, especially newcomers and immigrants.
Here are some useful links to information about living and working in Nova Scotia as well as the province itself: About Nova Scotia... http://www.novascotialife.com The official gateway to Nova Scotia. http://www.acountrylife.com Forum on Nova Scotia and useful relocation articles. Click on ‘relocation’ link in header – go to CANADA (Also homes for sale in Nova Scotia). http://www.novascotialife.com/node/54 Where is Nova Scotia? http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx?AreaID=1052 Real Estate/Multiple Listing Service - Moving to Nova Scotia; http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1007.aspx Nova Scotia PHOTO GALLERY General Immigration http://www.cic.gc.ca The official Canadian immigration web site http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp A Newcomer’s introduction to Canada. http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page10.aspx News on Nova Scotia immigration. http://www.bfic.net/ Building Futures in Canada NOTE: The Building Futures in Canada web site has been developed to provide assistance to individuals who are considering Canada as a destination, are planning to come to Canada, or have recently arrived in Canada. The site includes video vignettes that profile the stories of 23 former immigrants to Canada who talk about why they chose Canada, where they decided to settle, the challenges they faced, the sources of help they received, and so on. Business and the economy Nova Scotia offers one of North America's most cost-competitive business locations. It has the most university graduates per capita in Canada, strong infrastructure, resource-based industries and emerging IT and Life Science sectors. http://www.novascotialife.com/node/47 Nova Scotia business links http://www.novascotialife.com/business The many reasons to do business in Nova Scotia. http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1016.aspx Starting a Business in Nova Scotia General Business Immigration The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. Business immigrants are expected to make a $400,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada. Canada has three classes of business immigrants, each with separate eligibility criteria: investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/index.asp Coming to Canada as an Entrepreneur, Investor, or self employed person. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/immigrate/business/index.asp Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Provincial Nomination Program Most provinces in Canada have an agreement with the Government of Canada that allows them to play a more direct role in selecting immigrants who wish to settle in that province. If you wish to immigrate to one of Canada’s provinces as a provincial nominee, you must first apply to the province where you wish to settle. The province will consider your application based on their immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp Provincial Nomination The Nova Scotia Nominee Program Nova Scotia has been welcoming people from around the world for centuries. Immigrants have helped make Nova Scotia a vibrant, dynamic society in which everyone can build their dreams. Today there are about 934,000 people who call Nova Scotia home, so there is room to breathe and room to grow. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) offers a quicker entry into Canada for qualified workers and experienced entrepreneurs who wish to settle in Nova Scotia and become permanent residents of Canada. The program is managed by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the federal department responsible for immigration. It allows Nova Scotia to recruit and select immigrants who can contribute to meeting the labour market and economic needs of the province. Individuals nominated by Nova Scotia, together with their spouse/partner and dependent children, are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa from Citizenship and Immigration Canada visa under the federal Economic Class known as the Provincial Nominee Class. http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/nova-scotia-nominee-program Nova Scotia Nominee Program http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1081.aspx Nominee Program FAQ’s http://www.novascotialife.com/vignettes Pride of Place Vignettes http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page5.aspx Living in Nova Scotia http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1119.aspx Nova Scotia Immigration Statistics Community Identified Category - Nova Scotia Nominee Program The Community-Identified Stream is accessed through Regional Development Authorities (RDA’s) and community partners. Every RDA can recommend nominees who will add social or economic value to their community. The RDA and community partners develop their own criteria based on their business plan outcomes and what they want to achieve as a development group. This is especially useful for those wishing to establish a small business in the province, have a great idea and business plan but not necessarily large funds available. http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1095.aspx The Community Identified Stream. http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1092.aspx Online resources for finding employment http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1012.aspx Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Those wishing to talk about establishing a small business in Nova Scotia in Lunenburg & Queens County and to find out more about the Community-Identified stream may contact: *Neil Emenau* Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency - Executive Director Bridgewater Office 220 North Street Bridgewater, NS B4V 2V6 Phone: (902) 543-0491 Fax: (902) 543-1156 Email: neil.emenau@eastlink.ca Web: http://www.lqrda.ns.ca *Corey M. Pickens* *Immigration Navigation Officer* *Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency* *220 North Street* *Bridgewater, NS B4V 2V6* *Phone: (902) 543-0491* *Fax: (902) 543-1156* *Toll free: 1.800.303.1541* Email: lqimmigration@eastlink.ca Web presence: www.lqrda.ns.ca http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1015.aspx List of regional development agencies (RDA’s).