Vancouver’s immigrant population continues to be huge source of growth for Vancouver - culturally, intellectually and financially.  In fact, as reported by the Vancouver Sun this past week, B.C. is expected to see an increase in the number of foreign-educated health and other professionals seeking employment opportunities as a result of a federal-provincial accord on fast-track credentialing.
I as Mayor am keenly interested in making Vancouver as welcoming as possible in all aspects and stages of the settlement process.
I have just appointed the new members of the renewed Mayor’s Working Group on Immigration, whch is tasked with providing concrete recommendations on how Vancouver can best support Vancouver’s growing immigrant population.
There are many questions that come to mind based on my initial conversations with the working group.  How are immigration policies affecting us? Is there more we can do to support immigrant services? Can the city provide more leadership as an employer?  These are crucial questions that I will rely heavily on in the coming months of consultation.
The working group, which expects to meet up to five times in 2010 after the Winter Olympic Games, will report to council late next year on:
• An assessment of the city’s performance as a role model for major employers in providing mentorship opportunities, access to services
• Advice to council on how the city can act as an advocate for immigrant communities
• Support for the city’s new project to expand links among aboriginal, First Nations and immigrant communities
I have also urged the working group to consider ways the city can align its work with the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Park Commission to improve services to immigrants, with a specific focus on young people.
I campaigned on making Vancouver a more inclusive city, particularly when speaking about newcomers.  This working group is the first step in turning that vision into a reality.