A new strategy for encouraging immigrants to come to the Saint John region was revealed Thursday.

Envision Saint John unveiled Pathways to Belonging, the new immigration strategy put together by the economic development agency and the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP).

Envision CEO Andrew Beckett said the strategy was key to bringing new people to area.

“The reality for the region is we still live in a time where deaths are outpacing births,” Beckett said. “So, on a natural basis, our population is in decline.”

Beckett said the only way the population will increase is through immigration.

But it’s about more than population growth. Beckett said immigration provides an opportunity to attract people with strengths and skills matching workforce requirements, as well as adding diversity in the community. He added many newcomers bring a strong entrepreneurial mindset to their new home.

“These are people that have chosen to leave their home countries, come to a new land,” he said. “That takes a lot of gumption to do that and a willingness to accept a lot of risk and we’re seeing that translate into the entrepreneurial side.”

A call to action

The co-chair of the SJLIP said the announcement was not just the launch of a new strategy, but the continuation of a vision and collective commitment to shaping the future of the Saint John region.

“I want to ensure that this is a call to action, not for the (SJLIP), but for all of us here in this room and beyond,” Mohamed Bagha declared.

Bagha said when the SJLIP began, the goal was simple, but bold.

“To make the Saint John region not only a destination for newcomers, but a true home, a place where newcomers to a region can succeed, can belong, and can contribute to the growth of our communities,” he said. “Whether it be Saint John or any other outlying community in our region.

“Let us launch a new commitment. A commitment to work together, to break down barriers, and to build a region everyone, no matter who they are, where they came from, what the colour of their skin is, has the opportunity to thrive right her in the Saint John region.”

Addressing discrimination

Through the consultation process, a number of areas were identified as needing work in order to make the strategy successful. One was the issue of systemic racism and anti-immigrant sentiment.

“Whether you see that online in the media, we’re seeing that a lot in our community, and that’s something we really need to address,” said Kathryn Melvin, Envision’s population growth manager.

Melvin said one of the major goals of the strategy is to create a strong ecosystem fostering communication and collaboration, and building a supportive environment for newcomers.

“The ecosystem and larger community will work together to challenge and reduce instances of systemic racism,” she said. “And the cultural divide between newcomers and residents will be bridged creating mutual understanding, respect, and community cohesion.”