Forum and Discussions: Take Advantage of Nova Scotia’s Changing Workplace

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Friday, June 12, 2015 – Thursday, June 11, was the date of an economic forum organized by the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ), around the theme Saisir les avantages du milieu de travail changeant en Nouvelle-Écosse (Take Advantage of Nova Scotia’s Changing Workplace). The event opened with a welcome from the CDÉNÉ’s Executive Director, Ms. Julie Oliver, followed by a presentation by the Honorable Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration and a conclusion by Mr. Emmanuel Nahimana of Immigration francophone Nouvelle-Écosse. A video from the Halifax campus of Université Sainte-Anne was also launched. The video shares the Université’s positive experience in integrating immigrant and migrant workers into its team.

Next, Mr. Gaston Saulnier, master of ceremonies and the CDÉNÉ’s Economic Immigration Officer, introduced the guest speaker, consultant Lionel Laroche. Mr. Laroche has spent the past 18 years studying the impact of cultural differences on the professional world. He has written three books and about a hundred articles on the subject, as well as leading something in the order of 2,000 workshops and presentations in front of over 60,000 people in 15 different countries.

The forum brought together migrant, immigrant and local entrepreneurs, employers and stakeholders from the Francophone and Acadian communities to discuss means, advantages and problems involving hiring and integrating immigrant workers. The goal was to introduce new perspectives to employers and entrepreneurs, letting them see hiring immigrant workers as a viable way to fill their requirements for labour. The forum gave participants concrete ideas and tools to take advantage of Nova Scotia’s changing workplace, a workplace that is richer and more diverse thanks to the contributions of immigrant and migrant workers.

The forty participants exchanged ideas during the roundtable discussions that ended the day. During the discussions, participants were able to see how, both individually and collectively, they can help to integrate immigrant and migrant workers into the Nova Scotia labour market.

FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
   


The Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the economic welfare and quality of life of Acadians and Francophones in Nova Scotia.

Information

Julie Oliver
Executive Director, CDÉNÉ
902 424-3970
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Caroline LeBlanc
Communications Officer , CDÉNÉ
902 424-7052
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.