Irish immigrants seek jobs in northwestern Ontario

Is there room for more Irish immigrants in the Thunder Bay area? One prominent immigration expertcertainly thinks so.

The keynote speaker at this year's Northwestern Ontario Immigration Forum, Cathy Murphy,saidthere are more than 10,000 young Irish people seeking to find work around the world and there's room for them in northern Ontario.

"They're coming a little older, a little more experience behind them. And look, it's a global economy," she said.

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Murphy is the executive director of the Eamonn O'Loghlin Irish Canadian Immigration Centre in Toronto, which is 90 per cent funded by the Irish government.

Murphy also said Irish people can provide skills in sectors such as skilled trades, banking and information technology thatis needed in the Canadian economy.

"All the young Irish are coming because they need jobs, so it's our job to make sure that they know which sectors are hot, where and which provinces they ought to be looking, according to their skills transferability," Murphy said.

The economic slowdown in Ireland and banking system failures have left many young citizens looking abroad for employment. They range in age from 18 to 35.

Murphy added the number seeking jobs is at its peak and Canada is in a position to take advantage. Because of the various skills they provide, she said she hopes more employers would be willing to hire them.

"They're certainly used to working internationally."