Flags adorned the inside of the YWCA during World Refugee Day. (paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

IMMIGRATION

Immigrant numbers more than double in Prince Albert according to Census

Nov 14, 2022 | 3:00 PM

The number of immigrants calling Prince Albert home grew by almost 140 per cent in the last Census period and now makes up nine per cent of the city’s population.

That data comes from the 2021 Census data on immigration released Oct. 26, 2022.

Niña Reynolds manages the Community Connection Centre at Prince Albert’s YWCA and works with newcomers to the community.

“We are the first stop for newcomers when they come to Prince Albert. We assist with things like finding a place to live, ESL and employment, finding schools and daycares training,” she said.

She added many of them, especially the new Ukrainians, need language classes.

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“Our new Ukrainians, they are also needing most of the language classes. We also offer Stage 1 English here,” said Reynolds.

The 2021 Census numbers show a decrease in the number of Ukrainian speakers in Prince Albert, dropping from 410 to 280 but that has since changed with the influx of people leaving Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

In September, over 100 Ukrainians had already moved to Prince Albert and, unlike people from other areas, do not necessarily qualify for full benefits of government programs as they are arriving under a visitor’s visa and not as a refugee or regular immigrant.

The language courses offered at the YWCA are paid for by the government and are very practical in nature.

“They are more geared towards helping the students learn how to interact in their work environment and living,” said Reynolds. “We also focus on their daily interactions like how do they talk to the clerk at the grocery store.”

Amongst the 3,475 immigrants counted in Prince Albert last year, the single largest group were people moving from the Philippines.

“Most of our clients come from the Philippines or India so it is an advantage because we know more of what they need,” Reynolds explained.

When they come to the YWCA, it is for things like job placement and finding a place to live or choosing a daycare.

In the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of healthcare workers, the provincial government said last year that it would be targeting Filipino workers specifically to help fill the gap.

Whether the newcomer is from there or India (the second largest group) or they are one of the 10 Moroccans making their home here, they are welcomed at the Community Connection Centre.

“The services are provided to anyone who comes in, whether they just arrived yesterday, or they’ve been in Canada 10 years,” Reynolds said. “If they need assistance, we always help them.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com