Smith says she is proud of increasing immigration to Alberta
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191.80028
Summary
Learn English with Alberta s Minister of Trade and Immigration and Multiculturalism, Shep Chantal Chaudhuri, who delivers a keynote address on the need for skilled newcomers in Alberta's labour shortage. She talks about the importance of recognizing and supporting skilled newcomers, and the benefits they can bring to our province.
Transcript
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I have no doubt that the journey was difficult, but your determination for better lives for
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And while you may be new to our province, your willingness to take risks and your love
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of the freedom our province offers makes you as Albertan as anyone.
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All Albertans are lucky you chose to make your home here.
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You all bring with you tremendous benefits to our province, critical skills, entrepreneurial
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vigor and a strong work ethic and the dynamic energy of your own cultures.
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Attracting the best and brightest is crucial to Alberta's success and our future.
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We need newcomers like you to help grow our workforce and create jobs.
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And that's why we need to ensure Alberta offers the supports newcomers need.
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When newcomers choose to build a future in our province, we need to show you that you are
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We need to show you that your hard work and dedication will be rewarded and that there
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You should have no doubt that your move to Alberta has been worth the struggle and that
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It is a matter of fairness, but it's also a matter of recognizing the incredible value
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that new Albertans like you bring to our province.
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In many cases, we know that you bring advanced professional training and years of experience
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To leave newcomers unemployed or stuck in jobs for which you are overqualified is a huge burden
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But also for Albertans who need more nurses and vets and skilled tradespeople.
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Together with professional associations, advocacy groups, and newcomers like you, government
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is working to find efficiencies for everyone's benefit.
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I know I should tell you I've been lobbying on this issue since 2006.
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I was once the head of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and this was my number
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How do we make sure that we've got a pathway for more people to come here through our provincial
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And I'm just so pleased to see that our Minister of Trade and Immigration and Multiculturalism,
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we got an increase in our number of provincial nominees.
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It was announced just a few weeks ago, 6,500 up to 10,000 is going to keep on increasing.
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And we're going to make sure that we have new streams so that the areas that you identify
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are going to be the ones that we're able to attract newcomers in as well leveraging all
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of the incredible community support that we already have.
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Because I was speaking with somebody just in the lineup who's been here just since November
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I've got a lot of support in my community and that is what it's all about.
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It's making sure that we can reach out to our friends and family from around the world,
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recognize their credentials, get them here in the jobs and skills that they have, and
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So we are making progress on this, I'll tell you a little bit more.
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The Fair Registration Practices Act and the Fairness for Newcomers Office now require
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that regulated professions and trade registries handle applications clearly and objectively.
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These bodies must reach at least a temporary decision within six months of receiving
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And the Fairness for Newcomers Office works constantly with regulators to find improvements
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so that skilled newcomers can get back to doing what they do best.
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Still, we know that there's more that we need to do.
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Shortages of essential workers are taking a toll on Albertan's quality of life.
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This is especially true in the healthcare sector, where just about every area needs more qualified
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Having more newcomers is key to strengthening the whole system.
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And that's why we need to continue finding additional pathways to success through things
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like professional licensing, skills upgrading, and other support programs.
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We need to tear down any existing barriers that stand in the way of meaningful employment
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I should just mention on this as well, because I'll be meeting with the Philippines Consul General
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We signed an MOU on LPNs, licensed practical nurses.
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And we have a bridging program so that we can recruit people from the Philippines.
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And if they're short on some of their skills that they need to be able to work in our system,
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we have a $15,000 grant to be able to bring them up to the level where they can start working.
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So just so you know, if you've got more ideas like that, you've got lots of ministers in
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I just want to let you know that we do see some progress, but we do indeed have more work to do.
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Taking these steps is not only right and just, it's a burning necessity.
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In the midst of a skilled labor shortage, we need to work together to do all that we can
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to ensure all Albertans are able to work to their full potential.
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Whether you're a newcomer or you serve our newcomer population, whether you're in the private sector,
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whether you're at a regulatory body, government needs the benefit of your experiences.
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You see the consequences every day, the frustrations and despair and the crushed hopes.
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And many of you have spent considerable time thinking about the fixes.
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Government needs to know how and where we can do better.
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Effective legislation rests on a foundation of reliable information.
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So thank you to everyone for taking part in the summit.
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But most of all, thank you for choosing Alberta.
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We are honored to be part of your community and your new life.
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And one just more special thanks to generous organizations who do so much to help newcomers
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It might be connecting families with affordable housing.
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You move mountains to ensure newcomers can manage the transition no matter how difficult it may be.
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Your insights will shape the next wave of solutions that make newcomers' lives better.
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People with ambitions searching for a place to make them real.
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The future of our province depends on fairness for newcomers, which we believe is a tremendous
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And we have many freedoms denied to so many elsewhere on earth.
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Talented and driven people are lining up to live here, dreaming of big things.
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Now it's up to us to figure out how to get more newcomers through the door and into the economy
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quickly and efficiently while maintaining our high professional standards.
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And I look forward to working with all of you on the answers to growing and succeeding together.