New Brunswick’s immigration minister says his government has been forced to make “difficult decisions” in light of federal immigration cuts.
Our province faces a 50 per cent cut in permanent resident nominations, meaning our allocation will from to 2,750 this year from 5,500 last year.
The allocation will be split between the Provincial Nominee Program with 1,500 nominations and the Atlantic Immigration Program with 1,250.
Jean-Claude D’Amours said the province will focus on priority sectors such as health, education and construction trades, with “limited allocations” in other sectors.
“If we are looking at the number that we were expecting for 2025, we were close to 1,900 or 2,000, around that number, only for those three sectors,” D’Amours told reporters in Fredericton.
“We are still looking at the main number and the reality is we need to continue to have people in our health sector, in our hospitals, in our nursing homes, same thing for our schools and the trades.”
D’Amours said the loss of 2,750 nominees means they will have to make cuts in some other sectors, including the food industry, retail and acommodations.
In addition, workers in some occupations throughout the province will be restricted from receiving any permanent resident nominees this year.
“Everything will be evaluated based on the need of the province and the market, you know, the working sector,” the minister added.
D’Amours said immigration — whether it is from other parts of Canada or other countries — is critical for many businesses to have the workforce they need .
“Maybe in some areas in the country, the reality is different. Maybe things have been done differently. But I’m looking at some businesses across the province that really need those employees. Without that, they will have to close the shop,” he said.
The provincial minister said he has shared their concerns with his federal counterpart and are calling on Ottawa to stop taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller has said provinces willing to take on asylum seekers could regain spots under the Provincial Nominee Program.
“Immigration is a shared responsibility. Accordingly, Provinces and Territories have equal roles in making sure new arrivals are properly provided for. Nominee spots will be re-allocated based on these considerations,” Miller said in a social media post on Jan. 23.
Newfoundland and Labrador recently reached an agreement with the federal government to welcome 290 asylum seekers in return for an increase to the number of permanent resident nominations.
D’Amours said the New Brunswick government has been in talks with Miller to get its own agreement, but has not received a response to date.
“We really hope in the near future to receive something from the federal government to help us increasing the number of economic immigrants in New Brunswick,” he said.
The provincial minister said they would looking to welcome individuals who can speak one of the province’s two official languages and are able to work in one of the sectors.
“We will be open to discuss because that will fulfill the need of our businesses in the province.”
