the CanadaVisa Team - 08 July, 2015
A recent report has shown that immigration to Nova Scotia hit an eight year low in 2013, with outmigration to other parts of Canada at the highest level in over a decade.
Halifax, the provinces biggest city, saw a 0.4% population growth rate last year – half of its normal rate, and less than most other Canadian cities.
The Halifax Index, an annual report intended to measure Halifax’s strengths, weaknesses and progress, found that Nova Scotia must grow its population through immigration.
“A population growth strategy for the city and province must focus on stemming the outflow of youth from the region and increasing the attraction and retention of immigrants.” The report said.
While Halifax’s growth rate has been down, the report found that the quality of life in Halifax has been improving. The city’s gross domestic product increased with the rest of Canada, growing by 1.9 percent in 2013 to $18.8 billion. The growth of incomes is rising faster than the national average, surpassing the cost of living. Halifax’s violent crime rates are falling. Additionally, the city hosts some of Canada’s greenest citizens -diverting 61 percent of waste from landfills by recycling and composting.
