Ontario has selected Belleville and Quinte West as one of three regions to test a new pilot program aimed at bringing in skilled immigrants.

Over the course of two years, 150 skilled foreign workers will be divided into Belleville/Quinte West, Chatham-Kent and Cornwall to fill talent gaps and support economic growth as well as a pathway for them to become permanent residents.

During an early morning presentation, Nipissing MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Victor Fedeli made the announcement citing the regions “were chosen because of their specific labour challenges, their ability to help newcomers get settled and interest from local stakeholders.”

The 150 candidates will be selected through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program which recognizes and nominates people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience the Ontario economy needs.

“This is an exciting announcement for our region, we need employees. I think this is one way we’re going to be able to accomplish that,” said Bay of Quinte MPP and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith.

Over the next two years, the province will be keeping a close eye on the pilot program’s economic effect on the three regions which are involved.

“We will use this as the model for other communities right across Ontario who want to benefit from economic immigration,” explained Fedeli.

Out of the three regions selected, Belleville and Quinte West are the only two municipalities which have been selected to work alongside one another as a single region.

“Belleville and Quinte West already work well together on a variety of issues,” said Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “We also appreciate the provincial government recognizing this by awarding this pilot project to both of us. This is good news for Belleville, it’s good news for Quinte West and it’s good news for Ontario.”

Under the program, Belleville and Quinte West could see 50 new skilled workers move into the region.

“There will be 150 divided up over the three areas, and these will be skilled economic immigration nominees,” explained Fedeli.

While the inflow of skilled workers will help boost Belleville and Quinte West economic impact, the inflow of more people looking for a place to live could put a stress on Belleville’s already strained housing crisis. However, Panciuk stated in order to improve the region “we have to drive with our foot on the gas and the brake at the same time in some ways, we can’t let up on attracting investment, we can’t let up on attracting new employers or employees.”

Panciuk also explained some of the efforts the city is taking in combating the crisis.

“We are already getting results from our housing strategy, there is more inventory coming into stream. We’ve had a big apartment complex in the west end open just in the last couple months, and we’ve got more coming.”

The advent of the pilot program brings great economic potential to the businesses based out of both cities.

“We literally have thousands of unfilled positions in our region because employers can’t find people with the right skills,” explained Panciuk. “This is going to allow these companies to attract people with the right skills to fill those jobs and unleash our economic potential.”