— Up to 40 families could move here in a year —

(OSOYOOS TIMES — October 24, 2007)

By Chad IngramrnOsoyoos Times

The executive director of Destination Osoyoos (DO) recently returned from a trip to England where he promoted Osoyoos as a new home for skilled British workers.
And Glenn Mandziuk says as many as 40 new Osoyoos citizens should be showing up in about a year.
Mandziuk was in the United Kingdom during early October, taking part in a convention designed around immigration, giving communities from all over the world a chance to attract new citizens.
The key is to bring skilled people, Mandziuk said. We have a great opportunity because the cost of living (in England) is so high.
DO's Executive Director said conversations with Osoyoos business owners earlier this year made it clear they are in need of skilled tradespeople, especially in construction and health care.
And because of England's crime and unemployment rates, as well as immigration problems, Mandziuk said there is no shortage of British citizens looking to become Canadians.
That waiting list is currently about 90,000 people long, and the waiting period an estimated five years.
However, if people possess certain skills, they can drastically reduce this wait time.
The province has a list of specific skills the province needs, Mandziuk explained, adding that those who possess these skills could see that five years reduced to a period of as little as eight months.
Of 300 people who expressed interest in the area, he said Osoyoos has chosen 40, all with skills on the list.
And when I say 'person', I mean husbands, wives and kids, he added. We're talking about whole families.
The convention, held in York and Coventry, England, consisted of more than 300 communities promoting themselves through booths, much like a job or science fair. Mandziuk said most of these communities were from New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada.
Presentations were also given, and the head of DO says his focused on Osoyoos' strong economy as well as promoting its rural resort and leisure aspects.
'That was something they liked and understood, Mandziuk said. A big part of it was lifestyle.rnHe said about 12,000 people attended the show in all, and he intends to return next year.