N.S. Welcomes Immigrants
BY: STEPHEN BOURNAIS

Nova Scotians seem to be more welcoming to immigrants than other Canadians, but we have little experience in actually dealing with them, a recent survey has found.

Len Preeper, president of Thinkwell Research, said the survey showed a province that claims to be open to new cultures, races and religions.

"Our attitudes appear to be fine," he said yesterday in Halifax.

But Nova Scotians lack basic knowledge about immigration, Preeper said. The survey found nearly 80 per cent of Nova Scotians believe immigration to the province is increasing or has stayed the same.

Immigration to Nova Scotia has fallen significantly over the last 10 years. Less than one per cent of all immigrants to Canada come to Nova Scotia and 40 per cent of those who do come here leave within five years.

The findings were presented in Halifax as part of the 2004 Knowledge Economy Report Card.

The report card is prepared annually by NovaKnowledge, a non-profit organization that aims to expand the province’s knowledge-based economy.

Copyright © 2004 Daily News