Manitoba communities have identified the need for immigration and settlement tools to assist them in their immigration planning. The Community Immigration Planning Guide is a response to this request.

The idea of the Guide evolved from recommendations in April 2005 immigration case studies conducted by Rural Development Institute, Brandon University, in Steinbach, Winkler, Portage La Prairie and Parklands region. The case studies were funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), supported and coordinated by Manitoba Labour and Immigration.

Phase One of the Guide development concentrated on researching existing projects and ideas to identify best practices, developing a network for consultation, knowledge sharing, and developing a framework. In Phase Two, the framework was reviewed and the content was subsequently developed with ongoing stakeholder involvement.

Manitoba’s Community Planning Guide was based in part on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Attracting and Retaining Immigrants: A Tool Box of Ideas for Smaller Centres . We would like to thank the National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies for allowing us to adapt concepts from the Tool Box.

Appreciation also goes to the Immigration Working Group of Rural Team Manitoba for leadership and support. Citizenship and Immigration Canada provided funding for Phase One of the portal development. Special thanks go to representatives from various Manitoba communities for their feedback throughout the process.