Cape Breton, N.S. – The Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) is seeking community input regarding gaps and opportunities related to newcomer settlement in Unama’ki – Cape Breton.

The CBLIP, a collaborative, community initiative, designed to foster welcoming and inclusive communities for newcomers, engages both newcomers and the broader Cape Breton community every second year. In 2018, a series of participatory, community events and surveys shaped the development of the current CBLIP Strategic Plan.

“Hearing the perspectives of both newcomers and established Cape Bretoners is essential in our efforts to best understand community priorities and to shape our work,” says Kailea Pedley, CBLIP Program Manager. “By checking in with the community through a biannual consultation, we are better able to understand what is changing over time and to collect fresh perspectives and ideas.”

In 2018, community members across the Island provided feedback that indicated they wanted a structured approach to welcoming newcomers at the local level and some basic supports to assist in these efforts. These suggestions, received directly from the community, led to the formation in 2020 of the Cape Breton Welcome Network which is now flourishing across the Island.

Community input will be gathered in through two surveys, one specifically for newcomers and one for the general public, both of which will be open until February 19, 2021. The surveys are available online, and can be conducted by paper, phone, or with translation support by request.

Participants who complete the survey will be entered in a draw for a prize of a 12-month membership to the Cape Breton Food Hub and a $100 credit to purchase the local food available at the Food Hub. Survey participants will also be invited to join online focus group discussions to share their experiences and perspectives in greater depth. The data collected through the upcoming surveys and focus groups will be analyzed and compiled into a final report that will be available online and will be circulated to local, provincial and federal stakeholders to better inform their work in welcoming newcomers to Cape Breton.

“Ultimately, the perspectives and ideas shared through this consultation with the Cape Breton community will lead to ongoing improvements to the services available to newcomers to the Island as we continue to learn about what’s working and what we can improve upon,” says Carla Arsenault, Cape Breton Partnership President and CEO.

The CBLIP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and is administered by the Cape Breton Partnership. To complete the surveys, please visit www.newtocapebreton.com/survey. For additional information, please email CBLIP Program Manager Kailea Pedley at local.immigration@capebretonpartnership.com or call 902-258-7331.

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Media Contact:
Mark Inglis
Cape Breton Partnership
902-562-0122
mark@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.