WORLD’S WINDOW TO SASKATCHEWAN NOW OPEN AS IMMIGRATION WEBSITE LAUNCHED

In an effort to be more welcoming to newcomers, the government today launched an innovative website that will give prospective residents the information they need to move to Saskatchewan. Also included is an online application feature for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - the first of its kind in Canada.

"This new website will serve as an important gateway for newcomers arriving in Saskatchewan and will help connect them with the information, people, resources and services they need to stay and succeed in Saskatchewan," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister and Minister responsible for Immigration Rob Norris said. "This website is part of Saskatchewan's immigration strategy goals that include improving the SINP's application processing and providing more focused and effective settlement services and resources."

Saskatchewan's immigration website is a central, comprehensive source of information for immigrants, employers and service providers - including information on how to apply to the SINP and what to do once you arrive.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program's online application will make the nomination process faster and more efficient. The SINP is currently the only provincial nominee program in Canada that allows people to submit their applications online. Additional website features include profiles of real immigrants to Saskatchewan, their diversity and their stories, information translated into various languages and tools to help immigrants settle in Saskatchewan.

Last year, 2,914 nominees were invited to Saskatchewan through the SINP. When family members are included, this will result in more than 9,000 newcomers. The target for 2009-10 was 3,400 nominations. Including family members, this should result in more than 10,000 newcomers.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has provided Saskatchewan with an estimated $450,000 over three years to develop this website as part of their project to ensure that immigrants can connect to the provincial information they need from their Going to Canada website at www.goingtocanada.gc.ca.

To view Saskatchewan's immigration website, go to www.saskimmigrationcanada.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Daniela Machuca
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716
Email: daniela.machuca@gov.sk.ca