Cape Breton Island, NS – An initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership is holding a series of dynamic community engagement sessions across Cape Breton Island from May 12 to July 18, aimed at gathering community input on how Cape Breton welcomes and includes newcomers, how to capitalize on current strengths and opportunities, and identify areas where we can make improvements.

The Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP), administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, works to improve integration outcomes for newcomers in Cape Breton by fostering welcoming and inclusive communities. The CBLIP is led by an advisory council representing thirty organizations from across the island.

“As Cape Breton’s private sector led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership believes that a key component to growing our Cape Breton economy is about having access to available talent,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Newcomers represent a tremendous opportunity to provide Cape Breton businesses with additional resources and talent. We believe that supporting the integration of newcomers through the work of the CBLIP in our community is vital.”

Since May 12, the CBLIP has hosted five community engagement events in the CBRM. The feedback received from all sessions will inform the CBLIP’s strategy – a guide for improving the experience of newcomers in Cape Breton.

“The sessions we’ve held so far have been really encouraging, attracting over 50 residents and community leaders from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality,” says Kailea Pedley, CBLIP Program Coordinator with the Cape Breton Partnership. “Just a few of the valuable insights and suggestions we’ve heard have included the development of local volunteer welcoming committees, expanding on local multicultural festivals and food-based events, and including newcomer information kiosks at local airports and transportation hubs.”

Events are continuing across the other Cape Breton municipalities during the months of June and July in Victoria, Richmond, and Inverness Counties. Everyone is welcome to attend. Community surveys are also forthcoming to gather additional input. For full event details and to learn more about the CBLIP, please visit www.capebretonpartnership.com/events, email local.immigration@capebretonpartnership.com, or
call 902 258 7331.

Media Contact:
Carla Arsenault, President & CEO
Cape Breton Partnership
carla@capebretonpartnership.com
902-562-6059

Originally posted by the Cape Breton Post.

The Cape Breton Partnership along with Cape Breton University will present “Dingwall – The Early Days at CBU” on Monday at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

The event plans to highlight the early days of David Dingwall’s tenure as CBU president and he will speak on the university’s “role in prosperity for Cape Breton Island,” according to a news release issued by the Cape Breton Partnership on Wednesday.

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(SYDNEY, NS) – The Cape Breton Partnership is collaborating with Cape Breton University’s (CBU) new President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall, to present “Dingwall – The Early Days at CBU” on Monday, May 28, at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. This event will highlight Dingwall’s early days of his term and speak about CBU’s role in prosperity for Cape Breton Island.

“As a key driver of economic, social, and cultural activity, CBU is critical to the future prosperity of Cape Breton Island. Its reach extends across the region, positively impacting communities in all four counties of Cape Breton,” says David C. Dingwall, President & Vice-Chancellor, Cape Breton University. CBU is an important asset to Cape Breton by providing high-quality education and innovation that continues to advance Cape Breton’s economy. Dingwall aims to highlight the contributions CBU has made to Cape Breton Island and will provide insight to the university’s new strategic plan.

“Cape Breton University has made incredible strides in helping the Cape Breton economy and supporting communities around the island,” said Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of Cape Breton Partnership. “The Partnership is excited to see what David Dingwall will bring to CBU and the rest of Cape Breton in the future as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the university.”

Tickets are $60 plus tax and can be purchased at https://earlydaysatcbu.eventbrite.ca. Proceeds from this event will go to the NextGen Cape Breton Leadership Society. NextGen engages young professionals in dialogue and inspires them to become more active in all aspects of the future of their communities.

Media Contact:
Carla Arsenault
President & CEO
Cape Breton Partnership
(w) 902-562-0122 (c) 902-577-2455
carla@capebretonpartnership.com

Meet Perla MacLeod, an immigrant born in Mexico City who came to Canada in 2004 to learn English in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Perla’s original plan was to return back to Mexico utilizing a stronger proficiency of the English language as an asset to finding more highly qualified work. However, fate switched things around when she met her soon-to-be husband Craig in the same city she was studying. After dating for almost a year, the couple decided to get married and moved to his hometown – “Big Baddeck”. Now, nearly 14 years later, they are still living and raising their three children happily on Cape Breton Island where Perla says it’s safe and full of opportunities to explore the great outdoors.

When Perla’s youngest child started school, she decided to run in the 2016 election to be the councillor in her district. Winning the election, Perla broke a deadlock to become the first female councilor in Victoria County in 26 years. She has been working as a Barista in a local café called Bean There Café for 10 years. With her close connection to her community, Perla’s position at the Cafe has made for a great way to stay close to the constituents.

Perla says what draws her to the island is her love for nature and the abundance of opportunities to explore. Her most valuable memories come from spending the summer with her kids and going to explore all of the different parts of the island, swimming in various lakes and beaches. She enjoys the change of colours in the fall, along with hiking and simple things like just being in her backyard surrounded by open spaces and blooming trees.

Perla MacLeod – a mother, a Barista in Bean There Café for almost 10 years and the district #2 councillor for Victoria County. As a newcomer, she is thankful for the community that took her in with open arms.

“It is great to live here in Cape Breton. It’s like my husband always said: ‘Only in Cape Breton’,” says Perla.

Ingonish, N.S. – Executive Director for the Celtic Colours International Festival, Mike MacSween, will provide a keynote address at the Business Update and Dinner held at the Keltic Lodge at The Highlands in Ingonish on May 17, 2018.

The dinner will be hosted by the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN), administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, with the aim of bringing together the private sector community for an evening to celebrate the successes of our region and foster collaboration between local businesses for future growth. The evening will start at 5:30 p.m. and include networking opportunities, a three-course dinner and a variety of presentations and updates with a focus on the local economy and tourism industry.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting this event in Victoria County. It will be a great opportunity for business owners and operators to come together, network and celebrate past and future successes,” says Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership and CBREN. “The momentum generated from this event will be a strong kickoff before the busy tourism season sets in over the coming weeks.”

In addition to MacSween’s keynote address, attendees will also hear updates and presentations from Patrick Austin, CBREN Economic Development Officer for Victoria County; Bruce Morrison, Warden of Victoria County; Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership; and local business owner Jay Rawding, of Highland Bow & Arrow in Skir Dhu.

For tickets or more information about the event visit https://victoriacountybusinessdinner.eventbrite.ca, or contact Jeremy Martell at 902-631-5442 or by email at cbren@capebretonpartnership.com.

Media Contact:
Carla Arsenault, President and CEO
Cape Breton Partnership
carla@capebretonpartnership.com