(Halifax, NS) — The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) launched its "Hiring International Workers in Atlantic Canada: An Employer's Guide", which is available free on the APEC website (www.apec-econ.ca/hireinternational) in both French and English.

This detailed, step-by-step guide is designed to help employers through the entire hiring process, including recruitment and selection, obtaining Canadian work permits and integrating new international employees and their families into the local workforce and community.

"Hiring international workers can be an effective way to address labour shortages, while also increasing diversity and building connections to international markets," said David Chaundy, APEC senior economist. "Companies that have hired international workers in Atlantic Canada are generally very pleased with the outcome, even after taking into account any additional time and resources required."

A draft of the guide was shared with the business community at a series of how-to sessions held across the Atlantic region in the fall of 2009. The guide was sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as part of the Atlantic Population Table Initiative, a collaboration of the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces.

The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council is an independent think-tank dedicated to economic progress in Atlantic Canada. APEC is a trusted source of analysis and advice on current and emerging trends in the region's economy. Please visit our website for more information: www.apec-econ.ca