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The Population Secretariat has released the Prince Edward Island Settlement Strategy to improve the retention and settlement of newcomers to the province, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.

“Newcomers to Prince Edward Island make many contributions to the social and economic life of the province,” said Minister Campbell. “The Settlement Strategy will help ensure that we are retaining these new Islanders and give them opportunities to improve their language skills, earn a good income and achieve a high quality of life for themselves and their families.”

To develop the Settlement Strategy, the Population Secretariat collected input and research from more than 40 non-government organizations and interested parties representing immigrants, service providers and communities.

“By helping newcomers settle on the Island and become active members of Island communities, we are making our province a more welcoming place to live,” said Minister Campbell. “As today’s economy is becoming a global, knowledge-based economy, it is exciting to see our province fostering cultural diversity and a global outlook.”

To order a copy of the Prince Edward Island Settlement Strategy, contact Island Information Service at (902) 368-4000. To download a digital copy, visit www.gov.pe.ca/ial under “Publications.”

BACKGROUNDER

Prince Edward Island Settlement Strategy – November 1, 2010

• The Prince Edward Island Settlement Strategy was developed by the Population Secretariat with input and research from more than 40 non-government organizations and interested parties representing immigrants, service providers and communities.

• The stakeholders for the Settlement Strategy include all Islanders, the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island, service groups, PEI Association for newcomers, academic institutions, religious organizations, municipalities and communities, and the business community.

• Its goal is to promote social and economic development by settling and retaining newcomers.

• The Settlement Strategy will focus on providing language training for adults and K -12 students; improving the quality of life for newcomers by connecting them with settlement information, health care and social networks; and business and employment opportunities by helping with the job search, starting businesses and enrolling in post-secondary programs.

• To reach these goals, Government will be will be taking actions across all government departments, led by the Population Secretariat.

Statistics on Newcomers to Prince Edward Island

• There were 1,791 newcomers to Prince Edward Island between July 1, 2009, and July 1, 2010.

• PEI Association for Newcomers has had 4,785 clients since 2007.

• These have been over 2,000 students enrolled in Language Instruction for Newcomers since 2007.

• Over 7,000 people attended Diversity Presentations in the last year (2009/10).

• 750 students are currently enrolled in the English as an Additional Language program in the K-12 education system.

• The English as an Additional Language Tutor program at the Confederation Centre Library has offered 15 in-class tutor training sessions, training almost 250 volunteers to be matched with new English learners. Over 310 newcomers have been matched with tutors and a further 70 newcomers have participated in conversation circles, for a total of 380 matches.