New Immigration Advisory Council Announced

NOTE: A list of council members with additional information on each member follows the release.

The first members of the province's new immigration advisory council were announced today, 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.

The council will meet three times annually. The first meeting is expected to take place in early fall. Only travel and meeting expenses for the volunteer board will be paid by the province.

Seventy-nine applications were received.

Immigration Advisory Council Members:

Richard Miller, Chair President, Clayton Developments Ltd. Halifax/Central Region Three-year term

Flora Riyahi, Vice-Chair Career Advisor, Sun Life Northern Region Two-year term

Taleb Abidali Co-owner/President, Cresco Homes Halifax/Central Region Two-year term

Rick Clarke President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Halifax/Central Region One-year term

Carmelita Cousins Library Consultant, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board Eastern Region One-year term

Louis Deveau President, Acadian Seaplants Western Region Three-year term

Wadih Fares President/CEO, WM Fares Group Honorary Consul of Lebanon Halifax Region/Central Region Three-year term

Maurice Guitton President/CEO, Composites Atlantic Western Region Three-year term

Piyari Rano Khokhar Retired Nurse Halifax/Central Region One-year term

Sharon Oliver President/CEO of Oliver Management CONNEXUS Inc. Valley Region Two-year term

Ian Russell Entrepreneur Recent Immigrant through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program Valley Region Two-year term

Tom Traves Chair of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents and president of Dalhousie University Halifax/Central Region One-year term

Peter Kelly Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Representative One-year term