Laval wants and needs to attract more immigrants to the city

On a recent visit to Laval, Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister Yolanda James, together with mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, gave a report on the 24 immigration projects currently underway within the framework of the Laval Regional Action Plan 2006-2008. At the press conference, Mrs. James reiterated that Laval is one of the province’s significant poles of attraction for immigrants.

“After Montreal, it’s Laval that draws the most immigrants coming to Quebec, a fact that should bode well for the region,” she said. “There will be thousands of jobs to fill in the next few years. It’s necessary to attract immigrants here, and as important – to keep them here,” Mrs, James explained.

With this aim, 24 projects for easier integration of immigrants into Laval life were put in place two years ago, when the entente was signed.

These projects include promoting the involvement of citizens from cultural communities in mainstream Laval life, guided tours of certain sites in the city, invitations to participate in cultural activities, workshops, and consultation groups, and the providing of documents offering the tools needed by immigrants to facilitate their integration into the city’s full life.

Apart from the projects, the entente also foresees giving Laval greater visibility in the eyes of immigrants through information about the city’s attractive labour market and its high-level quality of life.

The triennial plan of action flows from an entente between the Ministry of Immigration, the Ministry of Municipal and Regional Affairs, the Regional Conference of Elected Representatives of Laval (CRE), and Ville de Laval. In the unfolding of the provisions of the entente, the Quebec government, the city, and CRE estimate that they’ve each pumped in about $600,000.

Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt expressed strong interest in continuing the entente which comes up for renewal in November of 2008.

Photo:Pick up dim 24 fev. P. A4

(Photo:Martin Alarie)