Choosing Kings

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Attracting newcomers and helping them settle into a new life in Kings County is a passion for MaDonna MacDonald.

As the Attraction and Immigration Development Officer for the Kings County Regional Development Agency (KCRDA), MacDonald monitors the KCRDA’s Move to Kings program and coordinates with the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) to encourage immigration.

“Move to Kings has been around for quite some time, and it has evolved with the contacts and interest we have received,” MacDonald says. She has been working with provincial nominee program since 2006, “and, in that time, we have established a great partnership.”

Through signed agreements with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, NSNP is able to directly select immigrants who meet pre-established requirements. Successful applicants will receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds-up the Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa application process. Provincial nominees are selected based on their ability to contribute to the province's economic development, and must apply under one of five programs streams.

MacDonald’s connection with the NSNP is through its Community Identified stream.

“We want to ensure that applicants will be a good fit for our community,” says MacDonald. Under the Community Identified stream, applicants must have strong, established connections to a Nova Scotia community, a letter of identification from an organization mandated by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, be employable and be able to contribute to the economy of the specific community.

“This particular stream allows us to support applicants who have the potential to become valuable members of our community,” adds MacDonald.

Applicants must also meet minimum age, education, language ability, work experience and adaptability and financial resource requirements.

The KCRDA acts as the “first portal” that does an initial screening. After completion at the local level, a file goes on to Nova Scotia Immigration and, from there, on to the federal level for final approval.

MacDonald is pleased to report the KCRDA’s attraction programs, which also includes the Invest in Kings initiative, are bringing new people to the Valley. Since 2007, she has worked with 52 clients through the NSNP program, 15 of whom have received permanent resident status. Another four have NSNP approval; the remainder are in the review process.

One of the benefits to the nominee program, points out MacDonald, is applicants find an accelerated process.

“It generally takes six to nine months to get a result (through NSNP), versus up to four years for an application at the federal level.”

Adding to the population base in Kings County is a good thing.

“Ninety per cent of applicants look at bringing a business to Kings.”

In recent years, a horse saddler specialist, a landscaper, accountant and tree fruit farmer are among those who have set up shop in the county.

“This impacts the greater community because they hire local people.”

MacDonald says she continues to field a substantial number of inquiries from residents of the U.K., Germany, U.S. and Korea.

“These are predominantly well-educated people with business experience, and their ideas are lucrative.”

Once they arrive, MacDonald turns her focus to “identifying gaps and barriers to settling into Kings County.” In 2008, she helped establish a local immigration steering committee to “put us in the heads of immigrants.” Working with other local service providers has helped MacDonald understand what immigrants have to go through when they start a new life outside their home country. The committee hosts activities where immigrants can gather and share their experiences.

Kings County residents can play a part in helping immigrants transition to their new home by offering a “warm, welcoming community.” For MacDonald, Kings County is “an easy sell:” a low crime rate, few weather extremes, excellent schools and healthcare are just some of the reasons people see the region as a great place to raise a family.

“It truly is a compliment that people around the world are making the choice to come live and work in Kings County.”

Starting a new life

By Nancy Kelly

nkelly@kingscountyregister.ca

Novanewsnow.com

Steve Kerr was ready for a new adventure.

With two sons attending Acadia University, Kerr found himself visiting the region frequently from his home in Vermont.

“Each time I came here, my appreciation for the kinder, gentler side of humanity that exists in the Maritimes was enhanced,” says Kerr.

After doing a fair bit of research about the region, Kerr made what he considers the “pretty simple choice” to apply for Canadian residency and make the move to Kings County. His association with Madonna MacDonald and her NSNP counterparts helped him navigate “the time consuming application process line-by-line.

“They were able to make it a straight-forward process because they are well-organized and know their stuff,” credits Kerr of the partnership between the local and provincial level.

Kerr says the decision to work with MacDonald and go the NSNP route was a good choice: in just 13 months, he was granted a Permanent Resident Visa. He acknowledges a speedy process is important: applicants waiting for their file to be reviewed cannot work.

“The nominee certificate doesn’t discourage them economically, which is critical to starting a new life in a new country,” adds Kerr.

From his Kings County home, Kerr now works as a business consultant and beekeeper.

“I know I made a great choice to move here, and the whole experience was a positive one right from the start because of my association with the nominee program.”