Nova Scotia premier appoints chairmen for immigration advisory council

HALIFAX – A Halifax businessman and a university president have been appointed to lead Nova Scotia’s immigration advisory council.

The announcement was made today at Pier 21, the historic entry point where one million immigrants landed in Canada between 1928-1971.

Premier Stephen McNeil says Wadih Fares will serve as national chairman and Colin Dodds will be the international chairman.

The premier added “I look forward to working with both of them, to ensure that not only will we grow the population of this province, but link it to econonmic prosperity.”

Fares is the owner of W.M. Fares Group development company, while Dodds is the president of Saint Mary’s University and both are immigrants.

Fares told the crowd “I always said immigration could be and is an important solution to our dwindling population. It is a critical issue.”  He also called for us “(not to) be scared of diversity. Let us all come together, work together, in order for us to succeed. Let us start today and pronounce a new campaign: ‘immigration starts here’ campaign.”

McNeil says the two will work with governments and businesses and advise the province on opportunities to retain international students and increase the number of immigrants. “As Wadih and Colin begin their work, I’ve given them the mandate to bring together inidviduals who will bring a fresh perspective on the immigration system” he said.

He added the province is trying to build a business case to bring to the federal government to lift the cap on the Nova Scotia nominee program, currently set at 150 per year.

Colin Dodds is glad to be involved. “I’m certainly committed, and I want to thank again the premier for the confidence he’s placed in me and Wadih to move this forward.”

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab says seven YMCAs across the province will also receive an additional $200,000 this year for a total of $470,000 to provide support for immigrants first arriving in Nova Scotia.