The Committee recently tabled a report to conclude its study of Motion M-39, Immigration to Atlantic Canada.
That report was tabled in the House of Commons and can be found here: http://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/421/CIMM/Reports/RP9204222/421_CIMM_Rpt14_PDF/421_CIMM_Rpt14-e.pdf
While I supported the majority of recommendations contained within the report, I was concerned that the Liberal majority on committee was unwilling to advance recommendations that addressed the issues we heard more broadly and recommendations that might not align with existing government policy and direction. As such, I attached a supplementary report with additional recommendations around three areas: increasing immigration levels plan numbers; retaining newcomers in Atlantic Canada; and transitioning from a reliance on the temporary to welcoming permanency.
At its heart, the New Democratic principle that if you’re good enough to work or study here, you’re good enough to stay was an idea echoed throughout the study. We need to improve our policies and regulations to reflect this. I look forward to the government response to the report.
