Cliff Macdonald, a rural counsellor with the office, confirmed the closure in an email sent to the Truro Daily News. The offices in Kentville, Sydney and Bridgewater are also scheduled to close. The association’s main office is located in Halifax.
“Many ISANS staff members have worked tirelessly over the last two years to set up and implement the rural program and they have done and are doing incredible work,” Macdonald wrote in his email. “However budgetary pressures and ensuring that we align with the province’s vision of service to immigrants have prompted this decision.”
He said the association will continue to work collaboratively with the YMCA in Halifax to refer rural clients with settlement needs.
“But we will be focusing on delivering specialized services to immigrants outside Halifax through partners and employers to provide the supports and resources they need to attract, hire and retain immigrants in their communities,” he wrote.
According to the association’s website (www.isans.ca), the association works with partners to offer services and create opportunities to help immigrants to participate fully in Canadian life. Employees with the association work with newcomers to help them build a future, and they provide a number of services, from refugee resettlement to professional programs, from family counseling, to English in the workplace.
The association employs more than 115 staff members from more than 30 countries.
The Truro office is currently located in Suite 208, 35 Commercial St.
