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Immigration 101
Learn about some of the key terms, data, and concepts within immigration to help create your story.
In order to create an exceptional interview experience ISANS has created a number of policies and key considerations.
About ISANS
With over 40 years of experience, ISANS is the leading immigrant settlement service agency in Atlantic Canada, serving 17,000+ clients annually from over 200 countries in communities across the province.
We bring varied languages, diverse experiences, and unique perspectives that inform our client-centered programming. We seek to empower our clients and staff to collaborate and to learn and grow together—both personally and professionally—through partnership, professionalism, and accountability.
As the front door to many of Nova Scotia’s immigrants, our goal is to create a community where all can belong and grow, building a stronger Nova Scotia and Canada for all.
Vision Statement
A community where all can belong and grow
Our Mission
Helping immigrants build a future in Nova Scotia
How to refer to us
On first use: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (no "The")
On all subsequent uses: ISANS
Our Values
Collaboration
We demonstrate collaboration by building relationships where we can share responsibilities and ideas and work together to enhance opportunities for all.
Respect
We demonstrate respect by encouraging an environment of fairness, honesty and integrity for all clients, partners and colleagues.
Inclusion
We demonstrate inclusion by welcoming and respecting the diversity in our community and fostering a sense of belonging in all.
Diversity
We demonstrate diversity through valuing and respecting differences in experiences and perspectives, believing in everyone’s ability to enrich Canadian society through their unique contribution.
Innovation
We demonstrate innovation through service excellence, by being creative and flexible, responsive to clients and partners and continually seeking new opportunities.
Accountability
We demonstrate accountability by acknowledging responsibility for our services, tools, actions and decisions and by being transparent and principled in our approach to people and situations.
The Senior Leadership Team
Paula Knight
Chief Executive Officer
Pronounced Paw-luh Nyt
As the CEO of Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), the largest immigrant serving agency in Atlantic Canada, Paula draws on her own experience as an immigrant to Nova Scotia to champion the settlement support needs of newcomers who make Nova Scotia their home.
A seasoned public and private sector leader, Paula has been instrumental in driving social impact through a commitment to partnership and her innate ability to build common purpose across diverse stakeholder groups. Paula’s experience spans affordable housing, health and technology, leading large and complex organizations in the areas of strategy, business transformation, communications, and service delivery.
Paula’s commitment to community building has been recognized nationally and she is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Canada 150 Women in Business and Microsoft’s Chairman Award.
Olive Ozoemena
Director of Programs: Language and Labour Market
Pronounced Aa-Luhv O-Zoe-Mena
Olive champions the labour market needs of immigrants in Atlantic Canada, leveraging her personal experience as an immigrant and bringing a unique perspective to her role. She holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick, a Master’s in Human Resources Development from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a graduate degree in Theatre Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria.
With over 17 years in the financial and not-for-profit sectors, Olive has dedicated the last 8 years in advancing social impact initiatives to foster a dynamic and inclusive settlement sector that promotes immigrant integration.
Olive's commitment to community building is reflected in her involvement with various interprovincial and national initiatives. Her diverse experiences and multicultural background equip her with a unique skill set to address the complex needs of immigrants effectively. Her dedication to these causes has made her a pivotal figure in the sector across provinces, driving collaborative growth and fostering inclusive environments for newcomers.
Wenche Gausdal
Director of Programs, Settlement, Community Integration & Support Services
Pronounced Ven-ka Goss-doll
Gausdal is the Director of Programs, Settlement, Community Integration & Support Services, at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).
A graduate of Dalhousie University’ Wenche has a Master of Social Work degree and is registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
Throughout her 23-year career with ISANS, Wenche has helped to resettle more than 7,000 refugees throughout Nova Scotia. She’s held a variety of roles, including settlement worker, immigrant health coordinator, manager of settlement and integration, and now director of programs
Jennifer Carras
Director, People & Culture
Pronounced Je-ni-fur Car-ras
Since graduating from Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) with an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management with Honours in 2015, Jennifer has experience across a broad range of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. These experiences both local and overseas, along with her non-profit industry experience, have provided her the opportunity to develop a strong skillset with a focus on strategic planning, employee engagement, employee relations, health & wellness, and compliance. Most recently, Jennifer was both the HR Director at The Westin Nova Scotian and Regional HR Director for Canada, for New Castle Hotel & Resorts. During her time there, along with her many other responsibilities, Jennifer was navigating various immigration processes, supporting staff on their journeys through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Her passion for community, continuous learning and being a witness to so many immigration journeys led her to join our team!
Our Programs and Services
We help immigrants build a future in Nova Scotia. Our programs and services create opportunities that enable immigrants to participate fully in Canadian life.
We offer services and programs in the following areas:
- Settlement and refugee resettlement
- Employment support for job seekers and professionals looking to achieve credential recognition
- Business development and skills training for immigrant entrepreneurs
- Employer support and training
- English language skills training
- Community integration
- Pre-arrival, online, and distance learning
ISANS' Media Guidelines
The following are topics ISANS does not comment on:
- Client/Staff/Representative personal information
- An immigrants first (insert holiday here)
- Refugees in the first 6 months of their settlement (unless they move forward with it themselves)
The following are a list of considerations to keep in mind:
- One newcomer does not speak for all newcomers. It is important to tell stories reflecting different individual’s experiences.
- Identifying clients to speak on a particular topic or subject matter can take time to arrange and can’t always be done on short notice. The more time you give us the better we are able to accommodate your request.
- Journalists are responsible for covering the cost of interpretation if it is needed for an interview. Rates for interpretation start at $50 for up to 2 hours and can be arranged through ISANS.
- Interviews that require interpretation take time to organize, as we have to identify and schedule a time that works for the journalist, the client, and the interpreter. Occasionally, that time may fall outside of regular office hours.
- Interviews with interpretation can take almost twice as long as a regular interview, be sure to plan accordingly.
- When doing an interview with an interpreter, be sure to use clear questions and pause often
- When doing an interview with an interpreter, speak to the person you are interviewing not the person interpreting.
- Use trauma informed approach – newcomers may have experienced traumatic events in the past that they are not comfortable speaking about. Do not push them to answer questions they are not comfortable answering.
Permanent Residents
Government Assisted Refugee
Immigration 101
Terms and Definitions
Privately Sponsored Refugee
Temporary Resident
Skilled Worker
Contact Us
902-406-0217
Please use the form here to contact a member of the ISANS Communications team.
Please note the ISANS Communications team monitors for media requests Monday to Friday, from 8:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.