Growth, immigration on the minds of mayors of Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe

The tale of two cities and a towncontinued at breakfast Wednesday, when the mayors of Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview gathered to talk about plans and challenges ahead, whilefeeling good about their self-described role as leaders in the province.

Dieppe Mayor Yvon LaPierre said ensuringhis city, Moncton and Riverview work togetheris vital to keeping the area growing.

"Our relationship is a sign of leadership," he said at the event sponsored by the Greater MonctonChamber of Commerce. "Itleads also other communities to want to work all together.

LaPierre said Dieppe's focus is on working with urban planners on the downtown and building an intergenerational community complex to replace the aging Centennial Arena.

He and his counterparts all said attracting more immigrants to the area is a priority.

"We're missing a great opportunity, specifically with international students that are coming here," LaPierresaid. "I think we do a very poor job and we need to step up on trying to integrate them in our community."

He said the University of Monctonbrings ininternational students, and it's up to the municipalities to persuade them to stay.

Lapierre saidDieppe has also benefited from a population boost over the last 15 years from within the province.

"The influx of francophones from the northeast and the northwest, what we see now and what we've seen for the past seven or eight years now, is the grandparents have moved down and that's created an additional growth for the entire region," he said.

Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold agreed that immigration is vitally important.

"We know that we have to bring back our kids but also bring back newcomers to our community and newcomers from across the country but around the world as well," Arnold said.

Arnold said her city is also focused on smart urban planning.

"We have a real dedication to ensuring that the growth in our city stays within our serviceable boundary," she said.

That's important if Monctonwants public transportation to work, she said.

The city has made strategic investments in the downtown and Downing Street, now a link betweenMain Street and the riverfront.Now the city has to get more people to live there, Arnold said.

"One of our big goals is todensifyour downtown core," she said.

Riverview Mayor Ann Seamans said her town is concentrating on attracting people with active and healthy lifestyles.

The town offers walking trails and parks and hopes tobuild a new wellness centre.

Seamans agreed with the other mayors that immigrants arecentral to the growing the area.

"We're always hoping that we can include them, andwhatever we can do in the town, because we want them to feel welcome," Seamans said. "We know what a great important part this is in thetri-community."