The Program Director at Eastman Immigrant Services says the Steinbach area can easily handle more immigrants. Richard Harder is reacting to a recent announcement by the federal government that it plans to increase immigration over the next three years, opening the doors to over 300 thousand newcomers each year. Harder expects that will result in a continued influx of people to the Steinbach area.

"There still is an urgency in the international community to move to Canada and particularly, also to our region. Family reunification from the current cultures that we have in the region, the 

Richard Harder  current demographics, they're still always wanting to bring family members, friends and acquaintances over. So, with more doors opening for immigration and Canada allowing greater numbers, that will, at the end of the day, affect our numbers is my strong guess. And, as such, our local community is still recruiting employees. So I think that would also help those employers who are still looking for more labour force."

Harder says there are still always jobs waiting to be filled.

"When I talk with our employment facilitator, there are usually jobs available. Of course they're not always in your desirable trade or profession. But, if you're a bit flexible in the beginning, there are still job opportunities if you speak English. That is one of the requirements in the last five years that both the Feds and also the provincial government have been asking for; language ability. With those things in place, there are employment opportunities."

He notes the recent trend in immigration is for newcomers to settle in Steinbach as opposed to the surrounding area.

"Seven or eight years ago, even five years ago, if you would have asked me, I would have said there are a lot of our so-called people from Germany moving out into the country because of liking the lifestyle out in the communities, moving to Oakbank, Lorette, Ile des Chenes, Ste. Anne, La Broquerie etc. More recently, with our people from India and from the Philippines and from some African nations and other Asian nations, they tend to settle mostly in Steinbach. So I'm guessing Steinbach is going to grow in numbers from newcomers, moreso than in previous years."

Harder notes about 280 families have immigrated here this year which involves between 600 and 700 people. He says that's little more than last year and a little less than the year before.