Today, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, announced the creation of a new office for the Association for New Canadians in Gander. He was joined by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Gander, Derrick Hann, Manager of Satellite Offices with the Association for New Canadians, and Percy Farwell, Mayor of the Town of Gander.
Gander and surrounding communities are experiencing an influx of newcomers and the demand for settlement supports is at an all-time high. This new office, funded in part by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide those supports across a region spanning from Fogo Island to Appleton to Gambo. It will be staffed by a Regional Settlement Coordinator who will assist the burgeoning newcomer population with in-person and virtual services ranging from navigating citizenship pathways to English language training.
Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed a record number of newcomers in 2021 and many are choosing to live and work outside of the Northeast Avalon. To ensure newcomers are successful and that communities can continue to grow, on-the-ground service delivery is required.
The new Association for New Canadians office in Gander, which is slated to open within weeks, will join a province-wide network of offices located in:
- Labrador City
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
- Forteau
- St. Anthony
- Corner Brook
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Clarenville
- St. John’s
This initiative is aimed at boosting newcomer attraction and retention and supports the Provincial Government target of welcoming 5,100 newcomers per year by 2026.
To connect with an Association for New Canadian office near you, please visit here.
Quotes
“Newcomers are turbocharging Newfoundland and Labrador. They are contributing to every aspect of society and we need to make sure they get the services they need so they can be proud to call this place ‘home’. Our government is thrilled to be funding this additional Association for New Canadians office in Gander that will provide our newest neighbours with assistance and solutions to complex issues.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
“As the MHA for the District of Gander, I am pleased to see this important investment for the new office for the Association of New Canadians in the Town of Gander. This funding will provide new opportunities for growth in our town and meets a recognized need in the area. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Gander
“Home to an international airport, military base, aviation training programs with international students, and a growing number of immigrant workers, Gander is a diverse community and home to a rich mosaic of cultures from around the world. We are so pleased to hear that government is supporting the Association for New Canadians in establishing a satellite office in Gander, to support the growing number of immigrants arriving in our community. We appreciate the support of Minister Gerry Byrne and his department, and the advocacy of our MHA John Haggie in bringing this investment to fruition.”
Percy Farwell
Mayor of Gander
“The Association for New Canadians gratefully acknowledges the support of the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism to help establish our newest satellite office in Gander. We look forward to working collaboratively with community and government partners to support newcomers who choose to live and work in this area.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians
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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
Kayla White
Town of Gander
709-651-5909
kwhite@gandercanada.com
Jean Graham
Association for New Canadians
709-749-1018
jgraham@ancnl.ca