News release

Helping Immigrants Settle and Integrate in Nova Scotia

Immigration (Jan. 2005 - Feb. 2021)

NOTE: A list of funding amounts follows this release.


Immigrants in Nova Scotia will now have more support to help them successfully settle and integrate into their new communities.

The Office of Immigration is investing up to $306,000 in seven regional development authorities throughout the province that will provide staff, programs and services to help keep immigrants in Nova Scotia.

"Immigrants help grow our economy and bring diversity to our communities," said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Immigration. "Making a life in a new country is full of challenges for a family. Our partners in these regional development authorities will now be better able to ensure settlement services are available at the local and regional level."

Funding will be provided to regional development authorities in Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the Strait-Highlands region, Colchester County, Halifax Regional Municipality, Kings County, Lunenburg-Queens, and the Southwest Shore. Colchester and Kings are receiving funding for the first time and funding for the Southwest Shore will be administered by the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities.

"The ability to help our immigrants settle here successfully is critical to keeping them here," said Stephen Kerr, executive director of the Kings Regional Development Agency. "This investment will further the ability of Kings RDA to meet its immigration goals."

The regional development authorities will use this funding to provide direct support to immigrants to help them find the programs and services needed in the areas of assessment, orientation and referrals. They will also work with individual communities to help ensure a welcoming environment for immigrants that is inclusive and supportive.

The Office of Immigration will invest up to $4 million this fiscal year for settlement, integration, marketing, recruitment and labour market attachment.


The following is a list of settlement funding for regional development authorities:

  • Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority - $16,491
  • Strait-Highlands Regional Development Authority - $28,304
  • Colchester Regional Development Agency - $47,000
  • Greater Halifax Partnership - $105,000
  • Kings County Regional Development Agency - $47,000
  • Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency - $33,000
  • South West Shore - $30,000