rural development institute 16th national metropolis conference session: celebrating and building...

RURAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

16th National Metropolis Conference Session:Celebrating and building rural immigration partnerships and integration

Integrated Responses to Fast Growth with TFW: Two Manitoba Cases

Bill Ashton, MCIP, PhD

Director, Rural Development Institute

Brandon University, Canada

March 15, 2014

Gatineau, QC

With Wayne Kelly

Rural Development Institute, Brandon University


Outline


PurposeTo understandi) community approaches to rapid growth (TFWs) ii) govt responses to challenges and opportunities

Methods 1.Identify growth areas - statistical analyses2.Community approaches - interviews3.Validated challenges/opportunities - local workshops4.Identify govt responses – multi-departmental session


Neepawa

GladstoneMinnedosa

Winkler Region

Neepawa Region

Growth Areas



Winkler’s growth

rate hits 10%/yr

Immigration Program Renamed SCSES to

reflect regional focus

Winkler’s growth rate hits 15%/yr

Winkler’s growth rate hits 17%/yr

20041997 1998

34% growth

27% growth

63% growth

19% growth

SOURCES: 2001, 2006 & 2011 Statistics Canada Census

Winkler and Area Demographics



2008- Springhill farms just outside of

Neepawa purchased by Hytek Ltd.

SOURCES: 2001, 2006 & 2011 Statistics Canada Census

Neepawa Region Demographics



Community Participation


Neepawa Region

Stakeholder Interviews

Validation via local workshops

Winkler Region

10 10

159


Community Workshops


Winkler Region Neepawa RegionMayor Mayors

School Superintendent Principle of School

Economic Development Officer Public Health Nurse

Immigrant Consultant Mental Health Worker

Human Resource from local business(es) Employment and Income Assistance Counselor

Midwife from RHA Literacy Society

MAFRI Assiniboine Regional Health Authority

Chamber of Commerce Town Council

EAL teacher(s)

Viscount Cultural Centre

Neepawa and Area Settlement Services

15 participants were invited to this workshop 27 participants were invited to this workshop


Challenges and Opportunities


1. Demographic challenges due to (significant, rapid) growth

2. Policy issues due to growth


Winkler Region Demographic Challenges


23.5Median age in RM of

Stanley (2006)14.6 years younger

than MB median age

36% Of households have children in Winkler

(2006)8% more than MB

209 studentsSchools in Winkler average

around 400 students – current growth 0f 200 new students per year requires a new school every 2 years

to keep pace

7Obstetrics/Birthing beds insufficient for new demographics

in region

8% Fewer rental homes

in Winkler than provincial average

22% less income for

families with children compared to

provincial average ($14,300 less after tax)

SOURCES: 2006 Statistics Canada Census, Winkler Chamber of Commerce (http://www.winklerchamber.com/immigrationintro.html), Garden Valley School Division (http://www.gvsd.ca/images/stories/Aboutus/community_report/GVSD_Community_Report_August_2010.pdf)


Winkler Region Demographic Challenges


PHOTOS COURTESY OF:Regional Connections, City of Winkler, Boundary Trails RHA

“Our biggest challenge … [is our] ability to accommodate the huge influx of immigrant families, they came with big families that resulted in over crowding of the schools”

“Let’s say birthing as an example, we had smaller families, traditionally in the area, … We did have the requirements for birthing facility…. newcomers they have larger families and they also have more children…that has put stress on the birthing capacity at the hospital.”

“We’ve seen a real jump in real-estate, which you know…looks like a great thing, but it comes with a lot of cost that people don’t always see like we do…. we see kids without lunches that are living in a nice house”


Winkler Region Policy Challenges


1200Students in school designed for 700, community has to address gap

“there are huts all over the place.”

“the province is doing a phenomenal job of recruiting and promoting province. People interested in immigrating to Manitoba, but they come to our area – now we have stress on infrastructure –and no assistance to help alleviate that stress. Those people that the province is attracting are now getting caught in the middle.”

“If one [community] has [something] the other [community] seems to think they need it.”

43.7% Of survey respondents in a 2011 Morden community survey (n=245) indicated they would use inter community transportation services regularly

7% of RM Stanley residents do not speak an official language (2006)

The area does not seem to put a lot of emphasis on integration - it is viewed as a long term issue.

A number of participants said to just “give me the children and these problems will not exist in the future”

SOURCES:Winkler Chamber of Commerce (http://www.winklerchamber.com/immigrationintro.html), Garden Valley School Division (http://www.gvsd.ca/images/stories/Aboutus/community_report/GVSD_Community_Report_August_2010.pdf ), Town of Morden (http://www.mordenmb.com/town/docs/2011-CommunitySurveyResults.pdf), Town of Altona (http://altona.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/RPGA-Planning-District-Development-Plan-FINAL-Nov-2011.pdf )


Neepawa Region Demographic Challenges


Introduction of the second shift will bring

close to 500 new immigrants to the area

20 people immigrated to Neepawa from 1991 to 2006. From 2008- 2012 there have

been 800 new immigrants

In 2006 everyone in Neepawa knew how to speak either English or French.

Now Korean, Ukrainian and Filipino immigrants with little or no English.

SOURCES: 2006 Statistics Canada Census

Rent has increased from $250 to $900 a month for a one bedroom apartment


Neepawa Region Demographic Challenges


“We have been a small town for so long we don’t know how to grow”

“We’ve gone from a senior place to younger families; and the biggest reason is the hog plant in town, Hylife”

“The demand for housing has driven prices up. Greed has played into the picture”


Neepawa Region Policy Challenges


“Right now next five years looking at long term planning, we know there’s $44 million required to just meet what has been thrust upon us. We have no way of funding it.”

“Annexation takes three years and we need housing yesterday”

“Number of services that are not working together all that well because funding from different agencies and branches of government.”

“Need more economic diversification in the community, away from Hylife and reliance on that company. The community is scared stiff that the company will close.”

“The opportunities have been thrust upon us by the increased number of immigrants brought in to work at the Hylife pork processing plant.”

“Neepawa has been a very white Caucasian community before.”

[one service provider] I heard her say how frustrating it was. She would say, ‘they come in and don’t speak a lick of English we’re suppose to serve [the immigrants], they want us to adapt to them more than they adapt to us, sort of a thing…


What Was the Response …



Growth Challenges in Regions


Challenges Winkler Neepâwa

HousingLtd large homesLtd stock, rent, own

Ltd quality & quantityLtd local industry

TransportationLtd public service between centres

Need inter-regional services

HealthLtd birthing facilityMore mid wives

More nurse practitionersCoord Health data

EducationOver-crowded schools Flexible EAL

Diversity training

Eco DevRegional strategy and devel plan

Diversify local eco, avoid single industry

IntegrationNo 2nd languageMore regional collaboration

Ltd infrastructure capacityNo serviced lots


Multi-departmental Meeting


Department # Participants

Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives

1

Immigration and Multiculturalism 3

Housing and Community Development 3

Local Government 2

Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care 1

Manitoba Council on Post Secondary Education

1

6 Provincial Departments 11


Multi-departmental Meeting


CHALLENGESGOVT DEPARTMENT RESPONSES

$ Program HR Expertise Knowledge Report

HousingShare cost needs study

Local studyNo long term policy

Housing guide

Transportation Share cost plan Assist with plan EG plans

Health UnclearContacts for midwife & nurse

Contact person for data

EducationNew schools x2Cost share for new EAL

New EAL being developed

Ed plans & investments

Eco Dev Unclear Expert available EG, strategies

Integration UnclearDiversity trainers, interpreters

Unclear


Integration - Options


Integrating Multiple Departments – Organizational / Structural Options

• Interdepartmental planning committee (Plan Act)

• Special project coordinator (Churchill)• Direction of Premier, Cabinet • Integrated Community Adjustment (internal, external)


Access to Publications


Reports are OnlineRural Development Institute > Publications > Rural Immigration & Migration

http://www.brandonu.ca/rdi/publications/rural-immigrationrural-migration/


Thank you!

Questions?


Long-term Recommendations


Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Plan improvements to housing-related infrastructure

Related Provincial Resources for long term planning•Re plan improvements to housing related infrastructure – identified that there is a lack of clear policies related to residential development in municipal/planning district development plans


Collaboration Recommendations


Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Change of hours of operation

•Collaborate with Hylife

Provincial Resources for Collaboration•Re liaison – Provincial municipal support services can be accessed and current specialists exist for community and economic development

•Re rural voice – suggested to share their stories at AMM conference

•Re working as a unit – Identified cooperative development support and Manitoba Housing stated they are looking to develop relationships

Winkler and Area Recommendations•Hire a Liaison•Become a rural voice•Work as a unit


Health Recommendations


Provincial Resources for Health•Re hire new midwives – identified an expert resource at Manitoba Health, identified federal funding for midwifery training

•Re improve service delivery – identified a contact person at Manitoba Health, identified process for hiring Nurse practitioners

•Re asking Manitoba Health to do data entry – suggested communities should get in touch with Manitoba Health about immunization database and health information

Winkler and Area Recommendations•Hire new midwives

Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Improve service delivery

•Ask Manitoba Health to do data entry


Housing Recommendations


Provincial Resources for Housing•Re housing stock and community capacity to develop housing – identified a MAFRI guide to developing housing; also identified that Manitoba housing is wanting to connect with communities around housing studies and discussions

Winkler and Area Recommendations•Increase housing stock

Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Increase quantity and quality of housing stock

•Increase community administrative capacity for housing development


Transportation Recommendations


Winkler and Area Recommendations•Develop transportation

Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Develop inter-regional transportation plan

Provincial Resources for Transportation•Re local transportation options - transportation plans can be developed with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation


Integration Recommendations


Winkler and Area Recommendations•Diversity training

•Host family or mentorship program

Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Increase community diversity training

•Increase training/orientation for new immigrants

Provincial Resources for Integration•Re diversity training - Identified a new program that provides a pool of diversity trainers – ‘The Diversity and Intercultural Training of Manitoba Start’

•Re host family and training for new immigrants - Interpreter training is available and guides for house buying are available


Business/Economic Recommendations


Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Diversify the local economy

Related Provincial Resources for Business/Economic •Re diversifying the local economy – identified that there are local MAFRI economic development specialists in the region


Education Recommendations


Neepawa and Area Recommendations•Offer flexible EAL courses

Related Provincial Resources for Education•Re offering flexible EAL courses – identified that Manitoba Education provides funding for EAL programs to school divisions and Immigration and Multiculturalism is developing language training programs

rural development institute 16th national metropolis conference session: celebrating and building...

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