Immigrants encouraged to make Nova Scotia their entrepreneurial home

HALIFAX – Attracting and retaining immigrants to Nova Scotia will be the focus looking forward for two new business immigration streams.

The hope is that the new streams will bring new international entrepreneurs to foster businesses here, and to keep international graduates of Nova Scotia’s colleges and universities in the province.

“Bringing more entrepreneurs here will strengthen the economy,” Premier Stephen McNeil said in a news release on Tuesday.

The new Entrepreneur Stream will target business people who want to buy or start a new business, and see it through, so it remains a lasting, active part of the economy.

For graduates, the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream will provide opportunities for students who have started their own businesses in the province after graduating.

One of the province’s post-secondary institutions, Dalhousie University, is already welcoming the new streams with open arms.

“They align with Dal’s commitments to support immigration and diversity and to nurture entrepreneurship, and will help our graduates create businesses and make Nova Scotia Home,” president Richard Florizone said in a release on Tuesday.

“I would like to see at least 50 Dal students take advantage of these programs in the next five years.”

“These two new business streams have been carefully developed using best practices from around the world to ensure they have the maximum economic benefit for Nova Scotia,” said Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

Both streams will be up and running for entrepreneurs starting on January 1.