Human Resources, Labour and Employment
April 15, 2011

Retention of Immigrants a Strong Point of the Provincial Nominee Program

“A significant number of immigrants who choose Newfoundland and Labrador as their new home in Canada are choosing to remain in the province,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism. Statistics show that newcomers who entered the province via the Provincial Nominee Program are staying in Newfoundland and Labrador and have become contributors in 48 communities province-wide.

“Not only are more immigrants choosing Newfoundland and Labrador as their destination of choice and new home in Canada, but more of them are opting to stay in this province for the long term,” said Minister King. “Our provincial nominees work in a variety of sectors, bring critical skill-sets to local employers and help them make connections to the global marketplace. Our government works very hard through the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism to ensure these individuals remain in our province through targeted initiatives promoting welcoming communities and cross-cultural understanding.”

From April 1, 2007 to April 1, 2010, the province nominated 1,279 individuals for immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador. The nominees, many of whom are highly skilled individuals, come from 76 different countries.

Once individuals are nominated by the province, they then must apply to the Federal Government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) for their permanent resident status. As of September 30, 2010, a total of 446 individuals (221 households) had completed the federal process and were considered permanent residents of the province.

In November and December 2010, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism surveyed those individuals to determine the retention rate of nominees.

“We are delighted to report that of the 221 surveys distributed to recent immigrants, a total of 179 or 81 per cent of the respondents were still in the province,” said Minister King. “This shows the commitment of the individuals involved as well as the validity of the criteria we use during the application process.”

The average age of the nominees was 36 years, and 72 per cent had completed at least one university degree. When asked to make comments on their new lifestyle, a common theme was the safe and secure environment, and the friendly, welcoming people.

“On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I welcome our new immigrants and encourage them to remain in the province to contribute to our growing prosperity,” said Minister King. “To quote the theme of our recent Multiculturalism Week - Together, We Rock!”

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is an agreement between the province and the federal department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada whereby the province can nominate individuals for immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador. Since the launch of the provincial Immigration Strategy – Diversity, Opportunity and Growth in March 2007, the program has been administered by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

- 30 -

Media contact:

2011 04 15                                                        10:40 a.m.