Campbell River and Area Multicultural and Immigrant

Services Association(CRMISA)

Rachel Blaney Executive Coordinator

Snapshot of the CommunityCampbell River CRMISA• Population of 32. 000 people

•Traditionally resource based economy

•Facing financial strain

•Senior population growing

•Young family population decreasing

•Tourism industry growing

•Need for sufficient employment to support a family

• Established in 1992

•Serves 300+ immigrants yearly

•Serves 1200+ community organizations, members yearly

•Provides stream 1 Settlement services, multicultural groups serving seniors, women and families, translation and interpreting services, diversity training, youth programming, resource library, etc.

Attraction and Retention Strategy for Immigrants to Campbell River

First Step – CompletedCommunity Accord on Attracting and Retaining

Immigrants to Campbell RiverStakeholders of Community Accord: City of

Campbell River, Rivercorp (Economic Development),North Island College, School District 72, North Island Employment Foundation Society, Chamber of Commerce, Stratchona Community Futures, Youth 4 Diversity, and CRMISA.

Campbell River Inclusive Community Strategy

Second Step – In ProgressThe Campbell River Inclusive Community

StrategyComposed of 3 separate but collaborative

componentsAttraction and Retention Strategy for

Immigrants to Campbell River First Nation Inclusion Strategy Youth Participation

Campbell River Strategies

Create Terms of ReferenceSurvey Recent NewcomersEngage Businesses Perception of CommunityEducating StakeholdersResearching Best PracticesRural/Urban Linking

Urban/Rural Linking

HOWTo create a connection between

Campbell River and an Urban Centre to facilitate urban to

rural migration opportunities?

1. Welcoming Campbell RiverCoordinating through Stakeholder links.Set goals about attractions we want to have

Mentoring ProgramsClear information around business succession

and employment opportunitiesRecognizing and Promoting What We Already

HavePhysical locationSettlement services Education – both college and school agedEmployment and Training

2. Ask the Questions Who will Campbell River partner with in an

Urban link?How will important information be delivered effectively and quickly for opportunities such as employment and business succession planning?

How do we package the information effectively?

Identifying various audiences.

AnswersEngaging in Best PracticesMeeting with stakeholders individually to discuss rolesHighlighting attraction and retention assetsDeveloping relationshipsCreating packages for Urban contacts

Thanks to:Our funder: Welcoming and Inclusive

Communities and Workplaces: Demonstration Project funding

Community Stakeholders of the Community Accord.