When Kassim Doumbia moved to Shippagan, N.B., 14 years ago, the town’s population was shrinking, its young people were leaving in droves, and it was rare to see someone who looked like him working in local businesses.
Today, foreign-born workers and international students seem to be everywhere in this rural corner of northeastern New Brunswick – staffing its coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores, and working on the lines at local fish processing plants. About 10 per cent of the work force at one of the region’s largest wood products manufacturers are now new Canadians.
Doumbia just made the most notable step yet in the demographic transformation: In last week’s municipal election, the native of Ivory Coast became the first Black mayor in New Brunswick’s history. And he hopes his journey from Africa to the top political position in the town of about 2,600 can help open the door to more newcomers who want to follow him. “This is a dream come true,” he said.Evening Update is presented by S.R. Slobodian.
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