The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Nominations of immigrants under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) grew more than 300 per cent last year, following a number of program enhancements. Minister Responsible for Immigration Pat Atkinson says the growth in the program is encouraging. "A total of 180 immigrants were nominated in 2003-04 compared to 52 in the previous fiscal year," says Atkinson. "Counting the spouses and children of nominees, that will mean nearly 600 new residents for the province of Saskatchewan. "Increasing the population of Saskatchewan through immigration is a priority of the provincial government." The Open Up Saskatchewan report, tabled in 2003, recommended greater flexibility in the province's efforts to attract more people to the province. "We've made an excellent start in the past year and will continue to work hard, in collaboration with employers, industry associations and the federal government, to expand our immigration program and attract more people to Saskatchewan in the months and years to come," says Atkinson. The provincial government is working on an aggressive immigration strategy to increase the number and range of immigrants to Saskatchewan. The province's target for this year is 300 nominations under SINP, which would mean approximately 1,000 new people coming to Saskatchewan. Immigrants who come to Saskatchewan under SINP contribute to the economy in a variety of professions. Last year's nominees included 69 health professionals, 15 specialty welders, 13 heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and 13 farm owner-operators.
