Our Strategy in Motion
In 2025, ISANS launched its new Strategic Plan, Building Our Future Together (2025–2030), setting a clear direction to advance immigrant empowerment, strengthen organizational capacity, and deepen community impact across Nova Scotia. The plan reinforces ISANS’ role as a trusted voice in immigration promoting inclusion, addressing systemic barriers, and championing the contributions of newcomers.
Key priorities include building a strong and supported workforce, enhancing volunteer engagement, and delivering high-quality, integrated services that foster belonging and newcomer success. It also focuses on organizational excellence and resilience, positioning ISANS to adapt, grow, and seize new opportunities.
Early outcomes and feedback reflect the impact of this strategy in action - demonstrating strong client confidence, workforce engagement, and overall service effectiveness:
82%
of clients feel hopeful about their future in Canada
80%
of staff recommend ISANS as a great place to work
97%
of clients would recommend ISANS to other newcomers
88%
of clients report having the skills and knowledge to find employment
Examples of Progress on Strategic Plan Initiatives
The following highlights early progress across the five strategic priority areas in Building Our Future Together (2025–2030):
1. Thriving Modern Workforce
Launched key IT upgrades, including Halo ITSM, a new HR/payroll system, CRM planning, and cybersecurity training
Rolled out a standardized compensation framework to support talent attraction and retention
2. Community Belonging and Immigrant Success
Established an Immigrant Advisory Committee to strengthen newcomer input
Advancing cross-organization KPIs to improve program evaluation
Launched a new ISANS website to enhance access to services
3. Organizational Excellence and Resilience
Progressing One ISANS One Space with board oversight, consultant input, and shortlisted location options
Exploring new revenue opportunities to support long-term sustainability
4. Immigrant Workforce and Economic Development
Exploring new bridging and sector-specific programs
Expanding employment supports, including upskilling and reskilling initiatives
5. Voice of Immigrant Empowerment
Advancing thought leadership to strengthen advocacy and engagement with partners and government
Elevating newcomer perspectives through initiatives like the Immigrant Advisory Committee
A Trusted Voice on the National Stage
In 2025–26, ISANS elevated its national profile through leadership at two major conferences in Halifax: Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) and Metropolis. These events spotlighted Nova Scotia’s role in national immigration dialogue and showcased ISANS’ expertise and impact.
At the 13th annual Pathways to Prosperity Conference (Investing in Canada’s Shared Future: Pathways to Possibilities), our CEO Paula Knight chaired a plenary session, and the Community and Integration Services team received a Best Poster Award.
At the 28th annual Metropolis Conference (Changing Course? Establishing Consensus on Canada’s Immigration Future), Paula Knight co-chaired the conference, delivered opening remarks, and chaired a plenary session, with strong staff support and volunteer engagement.
Across both events, 180 ISANS staff contributed through leadership, presentations, and coordination delivering 21 workshops, panels, and roundtables, five poster presentations, and hosting marketplaces to support entrepreneur clients.
Together, these efforts strengthened ISANS’ reputation as a national leader, deepened partnerships with policymakers and sector leaders, and fostered staff pride, learning, and engagement.