10 November 2020
Hon. Arlene Dunn
Minister, Aboriginal Affairs
Minister Responsible, Opportunities NB
Minister Responsible, Immigration
Minister Responsible, Economic Development and Small Business
Departmental Building, West Block
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Via email: arlene.dunn@gnb.ca
Dear Minister Dunn:
Re: Fredericton’s Immigration Advocacy Committee – Meeting Request
We are writing today as the co-chairs of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Immigration Advocacy Committee and members of the organization’s board of directors to request a meeting with you and your team to bring you up-to-date on efforts in the Greater Fredericton Region to attract and retain more newcomers in our communities. The chamber’s CEO, Krista Ross and President, Bob Chisholm reached out to you via a congratulatory letter immediately following your election and we are following up with this meeting request.
We understand the learning curve involved as a recently-elected MLA with multiple ministerial portfolios and we hope our experience on-the-ground can be a resource to you as you become more familiar with these files.
Of particular note, in July 2019, the City of Fredericton formally adopted a new Immigration Strategy with three local organizations identified as leads:
- Fredericton Chamber of Commerce – Advocacy and Policy
- Ignite Fredericton – Economic Development and Programming
- Multicultural Association of Fredericton – Settlement and Retention
Our chamber has been an active participant in the immigration landscape for more than a decade – launching our first immigration-specific program in 2009. Our efforts include programming, advocacy at all levels of government, working directly with international students, submitting policy resolutions to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and more.
Since 2009, attracting and retaining newcomers has become a focus throughout the province (and indeed, the country) as a key to our future economic success and so we were pleased to see that immigration and economic development were both brought under your leadership as the links are clear and direct.
To arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience, please contact the chamber’s Policy Manager, Morgan Peters at advocacy@frederictonchamber.ca or (506) 451-9742.
Sincerely,
Mohamed Khirallah, Co-Chair Mark MacKenzie Co-Chair
Fredericton Immigration Advocacy Committee. Fredericton Immigration Advocacy Committee
