Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
December 27, 2017

Increasing Immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador Advanced in 2017

Significant progress has been made in 2017 toward setting the foundation for increasing immigration to the province to 1,700 newcomers annually by 2022, a commitment in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Guided by public consultations on immigration held throughout the province, in March 2017, the Provincial Government launched a collaborative, partnership-driven action plan, The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Priorities initiated in 2017 include:

  • Introducing the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, the first of its kind in Canada, enabling employers to help up to 442 newcomers annually settle in Newfoundland and Labrador, stay long term, and grow the local economy.
  • Helping internationally-trained workers secure employment in their fields through funding to enhance provincial capacity to recognize foreign qualifications.
  • Announcing as part of the first round of approved projects through the Workforce Innovation Centre, funding for the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Genesis Centre to increase entrepreneurship among women and immigrants in the technology centre, and for the Association for New Canadians, in partnership with Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, to connect former refugees to agricultural employment opportunities.
  • Giving priority to employers in the aquaculture and agriculture sectors in attracting newcomers through the province’s immigration programs.
  • Providing international students and graduates with work placements to secure gainful employment and expand their professional networks, encouraging them to remain in the province.
  • Publicly recognizing diverse cultural holidays and events to increase awareness of diversity in this province, and promote welcoming communities.
  • Promoting the province at immigration fairs abroad, participating in fairs in France, Belgium and Ireland and engaging individually with over 1,000 prospective immigrants. Information about the province was provided to over 5,000 attendees.
  • Attending the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration. Ministers discussed opportunities to build on the success of Canada’s shared immigration system.
  • Providing funding to support newcomer settlement and integration in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Promoting Francophone immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador through a partnership with Francophone community stakeholders, including Federation Francophone de Terre Neuve et Labrador and Réseau de Développement Économique et d’Employabilité de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador.

The 24 action items identified for year one of The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador will be implemented this fiscal year (2017-18) with progress underway on year two actions. A status report on the implementation of year one initiatives will be released for the end of this fiscal year.

Quotes
“Our government is focused on ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador becomes an even more attractive destination of choice for newcomers to live, work and raise their families. Immigration supports efforts to encourage private sector job creation and economic growth as identified in The Way Forward, the Cabinet Committee on Jobs, and the Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Al Hawkins‎
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

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Learn More
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism - www.nlimmigration.ca external link icon

The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador – www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/ImmigrationPlan.pdf PDF Icon

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program - www.nlimmigration.ca/en/employer/atlantic-immigration-pilot-program.aspx external link icon

Workforce Innovation Centre - www.cna.nl.ca/wic  external link icon

Provincial Government Invites Employers to Join Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/0310n05.aspx

Engagement, Collaboration, and Partnerships Drive Immigration Action Plan - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/0324n03.aspx

Provincial Government Announces Projects to Help Newcomers Secure Employment in their Fields - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/0501n07.aspx

First Projects Announced for College of the North Atlantic’s Workforce Innovation Centre - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/1117n08.aspx

Minister Hawkins Highlights Success of Recent International Immigrant Recruitment - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/1204n03.aspx
Version française - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/1204n03_fr.aspx

Provincial Government Announces Pilot Employment Programs for International Students - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/1205n02.aspx

Ministerial Statement - Minister Hawkins Welcomes Newcomers under Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/1207n06.aspx

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Media contact
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca

2017 12 27                              3:55 p.m.