![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadavisa.com\/images\/_1200x630_crop_center-center_82_none\/thunder-bay.jpg?mtime=1656366335\" "\\"\\"")
![\"Thunder](\"https:\/\/www.canadavisa.com\/images\/_newsThumbnail\/thunder-bay.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, addressed the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce at Lakehead University on Monday, September 8, discussing the issue of immigration.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a priority of the government of Canada to make sure we have the workforce that we need today, and the workforce of the future, to do the jobs in sectors that are yet to reach their full potential. Some of them have yet to even be born. We have to start planning for that growth and for that skills deficit,\u201d said Mr. Alexander.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re talking about immigration reform, we\u2019re really talking about alignment \u2014 making sure that we have programs that are faster, that get the students here when you need them, and that bring specialists into industries that can\u2019t operate without them. We need alignment with the needs of the Canadian economy, with the needs of Canadian employers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thunder Bay, which on the shores of Lake Superior, is the major city in northwestern Ontario. The Minister made it clear that a young, skilled labour force is important for continued economic growth in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding the workforce of tomorrow, certainly for a big project and for a sizable city like this one, will not just involve local talent. It will not just involve people from Thunder Bay . . . We are committed to keeping Canada\u2019s doors open,\u201d stated Mr. Alexander.<\/p>\n