Immigration Advisory Council
The first members of the province's new immigration advisory council were announced Aug. 20, by Immigration Minister Len Goucher.
The 13 council members represent a wide spectrum of expertise and backgrounds. Among the new appointees are business, municipal, labour and community leaders, many of whom left their homelands to build highly successful rewarding careers in Nova Scotia.
"We had great response to our call for applications and have been able to assemble a respected group of individuals to serve on the council," said Mr. Goucher. "Ultimately, our aim is to ensure we have strong representation from across the province, from employers and organized labour, and that we will hear and learn from individuals who know first hand what it's like to settle and succeed in Nova Scotia."
The new council members are:
Taleb Abidali, Rick Clarke, Carmelita Cousins, Louis Deveau, Wadih Fares, Maurice Guitton, Piyari Rano Khokhar, Richard Miller (chair), Sharon Oliver, Flora Riyahi (vice-chair), Ian Russell, Tom Traves, and HRM Mayor Peter Kelly,(appointed by Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities).
Terms for council members are staggered, ranging from one-to- three years, so one-third of the council's membership will change annually, providing opportunities for other Nova Scotians to participate.
Council members will provide strategic advice on policies and programs to help the province attract and retain more immigrants.
The council also allows the Office of Immigration and the minister to establish and maintain a close working relationship with business and labour to better respond to the needs of the labour market.
