The Economic and Social Value of Immigration and Diversity in Newfoundland

NOTE:  This session is part of NLOWE’s Virtual Conference,  if you have purchased an All Access Pass you are already registered for this event.

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Newfoundland and Labrador is currently facing both a fiscal crisis and a population crisis. Our great question is on how immigration can play a role in addressing some of these issues 

How open are we as a province to welcoming newcomers and how easy or appealing is it for newcomers to make a home here? What do we need to do to improve the attraction and retention of immigrants? 

“Employers play a critical role in the immigration process: no one wants to move to, or stay in, a place where they cannot find work,” – Dr. Fang (MUN) 

While many employers are willing to hire immigrants, there are still many who aren’t familiar with how the immigration process works, and many immigrants face language barriers, lack understanding of Canadian culture or workplace practices or have difficulty in obtaining the necessary Canadian certification of foreign credentials and foreign work experience to be eligible for the positions that are available. 

This disconnect presents a missed opportunity for the individual, the employer, and the province as a whole. In a report by Mike Clair of the Harris Center, NL has the lowest immigration rate of any province in Canada which indicates that immigration isn’t something we have a lot of experience with. This needs to change if the province is to remain sustainable in the long term and if we are to play our role in the Canadian Confederation and in the global economy. 

Bio: 
Wanda Cuff Young (CEO)- Wanda has accumulated over 25 years of extensive professional experience, including approximately 20 years involvement in the marketing, business strategy, funding, and management consulting industries. Through White Rock (formerly WCYi), her successful creative marketing and consulting firm, she has been heavily involved in the strategic direction of dozens of companies in multiple industries, including agriculture, bio pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, manufacturing, and technology, among others. Furthermore, she has managed marketing, communications, events, website development, social media, research and analysis, strategic growth and development planning, and management consulting for these same clients and more.  

In addition to White Rock, Ms. Young has been actively involved in the creation, development, and management of several business ventures. She was awarded the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award by the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE). In 2018, Ms. Young was appointed as People’s Representative in the Chiropractic Board and just last year (2021) she was awarded the RBC diversity leadership award by the Association for New Canadians.