survey

The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) is helping the Timmins & District Multicultural Centre (TDMC) with a survey to learn more about newcomer entrepreneurs in Northeastern Ontario.

This project was funded by the Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC) in Timmins, formerly known as the Far Northeast Training Board.

According to the 2011 National Household Survey, Northeastern Ontario is home to over 27,000 immigrants. A recent study, also on Statistics Canada, about Immigration and Business Ownership shows that immigrants are more likely to start a business than the Canadian-born.

From the results of this project, the TEDC, the TDMC and the LEPC will gain valuable insight around how to better attract and retain newcomer entrepreneurs.  “The TEDC, amongst other organizations, is focused on increasing diversity and improving cultural opportunities in the north,” said Fred Gibbons, Chair of Timmins Economic Development Corporation. “The flow of newcomers also benefits the population of smaller and rural Northern communities who face challenges with small or shrinking populations.”

The short survey will gather information as to where in Northeastern Ontario the participant opened their business and whether the entrepreneurs are accomplishing their business goals.

Julie Joncas of the Timmins LEPC sheds some light on the importance of this survey. “This survey will help us better understand why newcomer entrepreneurs are coming to Northeastern Ontario communities.The aging and declining population in Northeastern Ontario has repercussions on local businesses. In some cases, the investment of newcomer entrepreneurs in our communities helps maintains those businesses, and by the same token jobs in those communities. Increasing the development and growth of local communities is a priority for the region. Therefore, a better understanding of why newcomers choose to start and/or purchase businesses in Northeastern Ontario is important information for planning and developing strategies to encourage more newcomer entrepreneurs to invest in local businesses.”

Curry Consultants, who has been hired to assist the TDMC in carrying out the project, explains the participants they are looking for are first generation immigrants in Canada who own a business. Along with the survey, entrepreneurs can participate in private interviews that the consultant will be conducting in the fall.

You can find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/newcomerentrepreneur. It will be available until October 31, 2016.

For more information, please contact Maggie Matear by email at Maggie.mater@timmins.ca or by phone (705) 360-2656.

Filed under: Local News