By Adam McNamara | The Advocate
CAPE BRETON, Nova Scotia — The launch of a new program called Access+ is introducing an expanded immigration service model designed to better support employers across Cape Breton Island.
The program, delivered through the Cape Breton Partnership’s Immigration Advisory Services, focuses on strengthening long-term workforce sustainability while responding to growing demand for immigration and labour supports throughout the region.
Developed with direct input from local employers, Access+ provides expanded access to immigration services, including professional representation and comprehensive case management. The program is designed to deliver practical, start-to-finish labour and immigration solutions for eligible employers.
Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, one of Victoria County’s largest employers, has utilized the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for its immigration needs since 2013.
Osborne Burke, general manager at Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, said he has worked closely with the Cape Breton Partnership through its Immigration Advisory supports.
“Immigration Access+ has taken that support to a new level, allowing us to bring in more workers to support our business, all while helping us manage costs through consistent support,” Burke said. “Navigating the process would be impossible without the guidance and knowledge of the Cape Breton Partnership, and Immigration Access+ has truly made a meaningful difference in how we operate as a Cape Breton employer.”
To support the expanded program, the Cape Breton Partnership has increased its capacity to provide comprehensive immigration representation and application services by hiring two Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. These professionals assist employers navigating both federal and provincial immigration pathways.
The organization has also transitioned its application-based services to a new paid model, while general immigration advisory services will continue to be offered free of charge to employers across Cape Breton.
“Immigration Access+ strengthens our ability to provide employers in Unama’ki – Cape Breton with consistent, high-quality immigration services delivered locally,” Kelly MacKinnon, labour market and immigration advisor and a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant with the Cape Breton Partnership said. “The model allows us to offer more hands-on, start-to-finish support, while keeping services accessible for employers across the region.”
In a statement released on Jan. 22, the Cape Breton Partnership said Immigration Access+ was developed “to offer a locally-grounded option that reflects the needs and realities of Unama’ki – Cape Breton employers and newcomers, helping address gaps in locally available immigration services.”
