About ISANS
ISANS is a non-profit organization empowering immigrants and refugees to build their futures in Nova Scotia. With over 45 years of experience, we support more than 17,500 newcomers from 180+ countries each year as Atlantic Canada’s leading settlement agency.
We offer a wide range of services, including language services, settlement support for families and children, employment programs, business development, community integration, and pre-arrival services, delivered in person and online in English, French, and 24+ other languages.
ISANS is also committed to supporting Canada’s Francophone Integration Pathway and champions diversity, accessibility, and support for equity-deserving communities.
Through collaboration with immigrants, staff, funders and community partners, ISANS fosters collaboration, belonging, and growth, helping to build a stronger Nova Scotia and Canada for all.
ISANS' Media Guidelines
How to refer to us
Please use: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (no "The") in the first reference.
You can use ISANS for subsequent references.
ISANS welcomes opportunities to collaborate with journalists and media professionals to share meaningful stories about immigration, inclusion, and community building in Nova Scotia. Please review the following guidelines before reaching out to ensure respectful and accurate representation.
Topics ISANS does not comment on
- Client, staff, or representative personal information
- “An immigrant’s first (insert holiday here)” stories
- Refugees within their first six months of settlement (unless they independently choose to participate)
Key considerations for Media
- Diverse voices: One newcomer’s story does not represent the experience of all newcomers. ISANS encourages storytelling that highlights a range of experiences and perspectives.
- Planning ahead: Identifying clients for interviews takes time. The more notice you provide, the better we can accommodate your request.
- Interpretation services:
- Journalists are responsible for the cost of interpretation if required. Rates start at $50 for up to two hours.
- ISANS can help arrange interpretation, but scheduling requires coordination between the client, interpreter, and journalist. This may occasionally fall outside regular office hours.
- Please allow additional time—interpreted interviews often take twice as long as standard interviews.
- Trauma-informed approach: Many newcomers may have lived through difficult or traumatic experiences. Please avoid asking questions that may cause distress or that they are uncomfortable answering.
Immigration 101
Terms and Definitions
Contact Us
902-423-3607
Media inquiries: Please use the contact form on our website to reach the ISANS Communications team.
Hours: The Communications team monitors media requests Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.