Webinar: Inroads to Entrepreneurship: Local strategies to support immigrant business and local prosperity

January 23, 2020

10:00 AM (PST) in Vancouver, Seattle
11:00 AM (MST) in Calgary, Denver
1:00 PM (EST) in Toronto, New York
2:00 PM (AST) in Fredericton, Halifax

With retirement rates outpacing workforce growth in communities across regional and rural Canada, smaller cities and towns are looking for new ways to bolster the local economy. For many, that means investing in strategies for the reception and integration of immigrant entrepreneurs. Whether running a small business or investing in a new start-up, entrepreneurship has always been a route for immigrants to establish and sustain themselves in new communities. Research suggests that local communities that are willing to invest in entrepreneurism are investing in strategies that will advance innovation and spur creativity for the benefit of all residents (Kao et al. 2002).

Immigrants face the same challenges in starting a new business as entrepreneurs anywhere. Additional roadblocks can include language, limited knowledge of local markets, regulatory issues, access to credit or vital business networks. What can smaller cities do to support aspiring immigrant entrepreneurs and ensure they lay down the roots for a successful business and new life in the community?

Join us online to learn how the cities of Fredericton (NB) and Peterborough (ON) are providing inroads to entrepreneurism and economic inclusion for newcomers

Learn about Good Ideas:

• In Fredericton, New Brunswick (CA): The innovative Business Immigrant Mentorship was launched in 2009 by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, and became a launching pad for a City led business incubator and centre that supports immigrant entrepreneurs from networking to training to advocacy, including Planet Hatch and Ignite Fredericton

• In Peterborough, Ontario (CA): the Newcomer Kitchen Peterborough focuses on empowering newcomer women through cooking, learning workplace English and entrepreneurial skills.

The Immigrant Futures project explores new perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of immigration in Canada's small cities, towns and regions. The Immigrant Futures webinar series is presented in partnership with Hire Immigrants-Magnet, Hamilton Economic Development, the City of Moncton, The Halifax Partnership and the Leeds Grenville Local Immigration Partnership; with support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Technical Requirements: No cost to participate. You will need a computer with internet access and speakers. Pre-test System Requirements.

For full information, visit the Cities of Migration Learning Exchange
Inquiries: citiesofmigration@ryerson.ca
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