The first ever Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement was signed by Canada’s Minister of Immigration John McCallum and Newfoundland’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skill, Gerry Byrne, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, this week. This agreement intends to improve connections between the provincial and federal governments in order to encourage immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador.
This latest development follows in the wake of other announcements of upcoming changes to immigration programs in the Atlantic Canada region, with the overall goal of attracting skilled immigrant and refugee workers to the region. McCallum, who has dedicated recent days to promoting the Liberal Party campaign promises for immigration in the Atlantic region, recognised that “the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ambitious immigration objectives and this historic agreement will play a key role in supporting those objectives.”
While Newfoundland and Labrador already has a Provincial Nominee Program (the Newfoundland And Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, or (NLPNP)), this new agreement intends to improve on existing procedures by strengthening the selection process, supporting integration and settlement of newcomers, responding to immigration priorities, and collaborating on resettlement of refugees.
Byrne spoke highly of the agreement, saying that it “strengthens our partnership with the Federal Government and our commitment to attracting and retaining more immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador to address our economic, labour market and demographic needs.” Newfoundland and Labrador has witnessed a surge in popularity with immigrants lately, with a record 1,100 new permanent residents in 2015.
The agreement, which was signed at the Association for New Canadians in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was warmly received by local immigration advocates. “As an organization that has assisted refugees and immigrants for over 35 years, we look forward to continuing to work with our federal and provincial partners in supporting the inclusion and integration of newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Megan Morris, Executive Director of the Association for New Canadians.
To learn more about the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, click here.