BNS Bank of Nova Scotia

The Conference Board of Canada today announced the establishment of the Centre for Business Insights on Immigration (CBII). The new research centre will provide a vital forum that will equip key stakeholders in immigration with impactful knowledge and leading business insights into the effective management of immigrant talent.

“The successful integration of immigrants and newcomers into Canada’s labour market is crucial for realizing our country’s full economic potential,” said Susan Black, President and Chief Executive Officer at The Conference Board of Canada. “Unfortunately, despite the wealth of skills, education, and experience that immigrants bring to Canada, employers often face challenges in efficiently connecting newcomers with job opportunities that align with their skills.”

This persistent labour integration challenge not only leads to inadequate economic outcomes for immigrants but also leaves employers struggling to meet their skilled labour needs. With immigration being a key economic stimulus in Canada, this situation has significant repercussions for the country’s overall economic productivity.

“Canada has an opportunity to reset the narrative on immigration,” said Jean-Francois Perrault, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist at Scotiabank. “We are pleased to be partnering with The Conference Board of Canada in establishing the CBII research centre, serving as an important space for meaningful dialogue, insights, and the development of data-driven strategies to address pressing immigration issues.”

CBII has already commenced its work with a new research project focused on immigration integration in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across five Canadian cities. Scheduled for upcoming release, this research examines specific challenges faced by SMEs in integrating immigrant talent into their workforce, along with actionable recommendations for improvement.

Through its ambitious research agenda, and with support from its partners, Scotiabank, MobSquad and Tourism HR Canada, CBII will delve further into critical issues within Canada’s immigration system.

Media ContactThe Conference Board of CanadaE-mail: media@conferenceboard.caTel: 613-526-3090 ext. 224

About The Conference Board of Canada

The Conference Board of Canada is the country’s leading independent research organization. Since 1954, The Conference Board of Canada has been providing research that supports evidence-based decision making to solve Canada’s toughest problems. Follow The Conference Board of Canada on Twitter @ConfBoardofCda.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank's vision is to be our clients' most trusted financial partner, to deliver sustainable, profitable growth and maximize total shareholder return. Guided by our purpose: "for every future," we help our clients, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With assets of approximately $1.4 trillion (as at January 31, 2024), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on X @Scotiabank.