Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Description

By Brieanna Elliot, Date of Project Submission: April 2015., Completed for: New Canadians Centre ; Supervising Professor: Heather Nicol; Trent Community Research Centre, GEOG4030 - Community Based Research, In partnership with the New Canadians Centre, located in Peterborough, the goal of this
research is to find ways to assist immigrants with entrepreneurship which will in turn lead to
growth of the economy of the City of Peterborough as a whole. As Canadians, we live in a highly
multicultural society in which immigration is the norm. Many of the immigrants that immigrate
to Canada choose Peterborough to call their new home. The New Canadians Centre works
closely with immigrants in Peterborough to help their transition to the city go as smoothly as
possible, while also drawing attention to programs and opportunities in Peterborough that will
help with economic, health, along with social needs. Immigrants have established businesses in
many cities within Canada, thereby contributing to Canada’s economy, society and culture. The
City of Peterborough currently has the highest percentage of immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada;
it is therefore especially important to focus on implementing programs in order to better assist
new and potential immigrant entrepreneurs in Peterborough to help them to realize their full
potential in the community. This research will focus specifically on immigrant entrepreneurship
in the City of Peterborough, while drawing from identified best practices of programs and
supports available for immigrant entrepreneurs in other communities.