Advanced Education and Skills
Finance
June 24, 2014

Economic Growth Ensuring Long-Term Prosperity

Province Experiences Positive Net Migration Over Last Decade

In the last four years, Newfoundland and Labrador has experienced positive net migration of more than 4,600 people. While Statistics Canada’s quarterly provincial population estimates for January to March 2014 show negative migration, this is not the trend over the last decade.

“We know from past experience that quarterly migration data is volatile, depending on changes in local major project activity and demand in Alberta. For that reason, we look at longer term trends. Despite the last quarter, since April 1, 2010, the province has experienced positive net migration of 4,637. It is important that this information is reflected in an accurate manner. Our government remains focused on the province’s long-term prosperity by encouraging job creation, strong communities, a vibrant economy and natural resource development that is of maximum benefit to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

The Population Growth Strategy is a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador initiative currently in development and will be released in 2014. It will promote an integrated approach to improving conditions to attract people to the province who are living elsewhere in Canada and the world, while also making it easier for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue living, working, and raising their families here.

"In the past ten years, people have been returning to live and work right here in Newfoundland and Labrador, a change to the ten years previous where people were leaving our province to live elsewhere. Finding ways to continue to grow our population is vital for the long-term prosperity of this province and for the strength of our communities. Our provincial Population Growth Strategy will aim to do just that."
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and Minister Responsible for the provincial Population Growth Strategy

QUICK FACTS:

  • Since April 1, 2010, the province has experienced positive net migration of 4,637.
  • Over the last 11 years from April 1, 2003 to April 1, 2014, the province experienced net in-migration of 5,353. Over the 11- year period previous to this, from April 1, 1992 to April 1, 2003 there was net out-migration of 76,220.
  • The Population Growth Strategy is a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador initiative currently in development and will be released in 2014.
  • It will promote an integrated approach to improving conditions to attract people living elsewhere in Canada and the world, while also making it easier for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue living, working, and raising their families here.

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Media contacts:

Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Finance
709-729-6830, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2014 06 24                            3:00 p.m.