With the success of the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), the province of Manitoba welcomes about 200 newcomers every week, a number that is projected to double by 2017.  The provincial population and workforce have consequently become more and more culturally and linguistically diverse.

A recent sod-turning ceremony, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Heritage Minister James Moore, initiated the construction of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), which will begin construction in Winnipeg, Manitoba this March.

The Ontario Pilot Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) was established in May 2007 to help Ontario employers attract and retain skilled foreign workers.  It was the last province to offer such a program to fast-track the issuance of Canadian immigration (Permanent Resident) visas, and it remains in pilot project phase.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney has pledged to continue working with provincial governments to increase the uptake of immigrant settlement programs.  Provinces outside of Quebec and Ontario will see more than $240 million in federal funding in 2009 to be used to help newcomers settle into their new communities and integrate into the workforce (funding for the provinces of Quebec and Ontario is considered under a separate agreement).  This represents an increase of over 20 per cent from this year's settlement funding.

Canada's population grew by 129,000 people between July 1 and October 1, 2008, representing the largest third quarter growth since 1990.  A large proportion of this growth was due to the 71,300 people who came to Canada from abroad during that time. 

The Strategic Recruitment Stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) fast-tracks the Permanent Residency applications of migrants who have been working for at least one year in the United States on an H1B visa* in an occupation that is in high demand in Alberta.  No Canadian job offer is required for this category.

China has been the top source country of immigrants for years, but now the Philippines has taken over the top spot for immigrants and temporary workers (combined).  19,064 Permanent Residents and 15,254 temporary workers from the Philippines arrived in Canada in 2007.  Aside from Americans, more Filipinos arrived in Canada as temporary foreign workers than any other nationality.

Recent immigrants to the province of Nova Scotia who wish to establish their own businesses will soon have access to funding support from the provincial credit unions.  The Immigrant Small Business Financing Program can offer immigrants who have lived in Nova Scotia for less than five years up to $150,000 to help start, expand, or buy a small business.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney recently announced the expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) temporary work permit program, making it easier for Canadian employers to hire and retain these foreign workers.  Under the NAFTA program, workers will now be granted temporary work permits of three years in duration.  Previously, these work permits had to be renewed every year.

The fourth World Migration Report, entitled 'Managing Labour Mobility in the Evolving Global Economy' was recently released by the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration (IOM).