From China to Yellowknife
First applicant of NWT nominee program for immigrants arrives in city
Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Bingjun Wang first dreamed of coming to Canada as an international student when he was 18-years old. But when the Shanghai native was unable to get a study permit, his hopes were dashed.
Bingjun Wang is the first person to settle in Yellowknife through the business stream of the GNWT's nominee program for immigrants. - photo courtesy of Drew Williams |
Now Wang is getting a second chance, as the first person to settle in Yellowknife through the business stream of the GNWT's nominee program for immigrants.
"It's a big decision," he said through a translator about his move to the city this August with his 14-year-old daughter.
Wang said he wanted a shift in lifestyle, retirement security and better education for his children - things he believes Canada can offer. His wife and five-month-old son will also be moving from China to join the family in Yellowknife around Christmas.
The aim of the nominee program is to attract business expertise and investment to the territory while helping people like Wang make a home in Canada. It is run in provinces and territories across the country with the help of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
After arriving, Wang spent more than a month training with the former owner of Diamond Drycleaners before taking over the business on Oct. 1.
It seemed like a strong investment, Wang said, adding he sees plenty of room to improve services.
He's already decided to extend his business hours to 6 p.m. after meeting customers last week who told him they found it difficult to drop off and pick up their cleaning during regular work hours.
It's keeping his schedule full.
He worked until 1 a.m. one night early last week and was taking orders by 9 a.m. the next morning.
"The business is pretty busy," Wang said, adding he has "no time to think about anything else except the business and looking after his daughter and three meals" per day.
In order to be accepted into the nominee program, applicants are required to submit a business proposal, pass a number of interviews, meet minimum financial requirements and make a visit to the territory, said Alexandrea Malakoe, business and trade officer for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
By making an initial visit to their prospective city, the person gets to know the area, the economy and find out whether they could see themselves starting a life here.
When Wang visited in March 2014, he said he was impressed by the kindness of the people, the good shopping, living conditions and of course - the aurora.
"If we (the department) approve the business plan, we issue a letter of support for temporary residency," which must then be approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Malakoe said.
Since the GNWT revamped its nominee program last year, Malakoe said about 36 people have been interviewed for it.
Although Wang is the first to make the big leap to the city, his journey isn't over yet.
The GNWT is now required to monitor his business to make sure he meets the conditions of the program.
"If they fulfill all of those requirements at the end of their business performance agreement, we'll issue another letter that now says we support them to have permanent residency into Canada," Malakoe said.
For Wang, one of the most difficult parts is already over - simply making the decision to apply.
He's "very optimistic" about the possibility to grow his business, and is looking forward to making friends and starting a balanced life in the community, Wang said.
Now is the time for him to "live out his dream," he said.
