New Saultites get first taste of winter

Sometimes the best way to get accustomed to the cold Canadian winter is to just jump in and enjoy.

That is the thought behind an event to be held at Searchmont Resort, planned by an organization which was created to welcome immigrants to the city.

“Most of them haven’t had this kind of weather where they originated from,” said Danny Krmpotich, coordinator for the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), which is run by the city of Sault Ste. Marie and fully funded by Citizen and Immigration Canada.

Three busloads of newcomers to the Sault will make their way to Searchmont for a day of fun and adventure, which can include skiing or snowshoeing.

“Many of them have never done so and many of them have never seen snow,” said Krmpotich.

This will be the second year the event will be held, and it has expanded after last year’s success.

“Kids love it,” he said.

The partnership was created in 2009 to attract and maintain new immigrants to the Sault.

“Every city in Northern Ontario are vying for these same people. Our population is aging, we have a workforce that is leaving through retirement or mortality. Trying to recuperate that is very tough.” said Krmpotich.

In total, 52 agencies and organizations are part of the partnership, including the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Community Living Algoma and Sault Communitiy Career Centre.

The partnership also maintains the Immigration Web Portal for the city of Sault Ste. Marie, where people can find out more about the Sault, even before immigrating.

“We have been visited by well over 100 countries around the world, asking questions about what it is like in Sault Ste.Marie. Everything from ‘what’s the weather like?’ to ‘what kind of shoes should I wear?”