The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today led the third Minister’s Roundtable on Immigration at Bally Haly Country Club in St. John’s which provides members an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance newcomer attraction and retention.
Those attending today’s roundtable, who represent the business community, labour, the K-12 education system, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, community organizations and service providers, discussed potential new initiatives for year three of The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador and heard from several newcomers who shared the story of their immigration journey to the province.
Since January 2018, the Provincial Government has received 25 per cent more immigration applications compared to the same time period in 2017. In 2017, 547 newcomers were nominated under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and an additional 285 newcomers under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program for a total of 832 individuals.
The Minister’s Roundtable on Immigration is a key commitment in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador. This collaborative, partnership-driven immigration action plan delivers on commitments to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
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“Today’s roundtable was a productive and insightful discussion of potential new actions government and partners could pursue in years three through five of The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador. The input we received today will inform the upcoming budget process as we identify priority actions to help retain newcomers and grow the economy.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
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Immigration Action Plan Progress Report
The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador
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Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca