FORT FRANCES — Small communities in the Northwest continue to rely on foreign-born workers moving to the region to fill necessary jobs, local leaders say.

It comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals are planning to announce a new immigration plan in the upcoming federal budget, and as the opposition Conservatives and leader Pierre Poilievre are calling for the significant reigning in of people from other countries coming to Canada.

In places like Fort Frances and Atikokan, immigration in recent years has made significant contributions to the local labour force and the communities at large. Heather Johnson, the executive director of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, told Newswatch people from other countries have filled desperately-needed jobs in numerous sectors.

It's be

See Full Page