PEIANC Community Engagement and Employment Workshops
President's Message
As I wrap up my second year in the role of President of the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEIANC), it is hard to be-
lieve that the majority of my tenure has unfolded in a pandemic world. While the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected and
challenged all of us, PEI has fared better than almost any other place in the world due to its unique geography, expert and decisive
leadership, and tightknit and caring communities. But while PEI might now be considered an even more attractive destination to
study, work, and live, the reality is that immigration to Canada has been severely disrupted and the difficulties that newcomers to PEI
regularly encounter, including limited access to housing and health care, have been amplified by the pandemic.
It is against this backdrop that the PEIANC has continued to deliver excellent, reliable, and dedicated service to our clients. The varying public health re-
strictions have at times altered the ways in which the PEIANC management team and staff do their work, but they have done an outstanding job adapting
to these challenging conditions and offering high-quality service while protecting the safety and wellbeing of our clients and the broader community. I would
like to sincerely thank our amazing staff and volunteers for their resilience, innovativeness, and steadfast dedication to our clients and the mission of this or-
ganization. On this occasion, I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks to Craig Mackie, our departing Executive Director who is retiring after almost
12 years at the helm of the PEIANC. Craig, you have left an indelible mark on this organization and we will miss you.
I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for their committed service to this important organization. In the past year, two new members joined
our Board - Sandy Irwin and Trung Ngo - while Jolene Chan (Board member 2010-2020) and Shawn Murphy (Board member 2011-2016 and 2018-2021;
serving as President 2013-2016) stepped down from their roles after years of dedicated service. Thank you, Jolene and Shawn, for your thoughtful engage-
ment, insights, and incredibly valuable contributions to the PEIANC!
We are grateful to our funding partners, particularly the Federal and Provincial Governments, and the local community for their continued trust and support.
We take pride in our work and will continue to do our part in ensuring that newcomers are able to thrive here and make PEI their home.
Tina SaksidaView entire presentation