Impact of Federal Reduction in Immigration Spaces on Local Business Labour Markets

For Immediate Release

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – The recent decision by the federal government to reduce economic immigration spaces for Newfoundland and Labrador by 50% has raised significant concerns for our province’s future. This reduction, from 3,050 to 1,525 spaces, with only 25% allocated to international immigrants, poses a substantial challenge for our community and economy.

Statement from Paul Shelley, President:

“We are deeply disappointed and profoundly concerned about the federal government’s decision to drastically reduce our economic immigration spaces. This reduction will severely impact our ability to recruit essential workers across various sectors, including healthcare, social services, and business. Our province relies heavily on international talent to fill critical roles, and this decision undermines our efforts to address labor shortages and support economic growth.

The new cap on international recruitment, particularly in healthcare, construction, and skilled trades will have a detrimental effect on our ability to provide essential services, especially in rural areas. The healthcare and housing sector, already facing significant challenges, will struggle to meet the needs of our population without the necessary influx of skilled professionals.

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are similarly affected, with their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) quotas cut by 50%. Nova Scotia’s annual PNP nomination quota has been reduced from approximately 3,000 to 1,500, while New Brunswick’s quota has been reduced from approximately 2,000 to 1,000. These reductions will exacerbate existing labor shortages and hinder economic growth in these provinces.

Furthermore, this reduction disproportionately affects Newfoundland and Labrador, where only 1.6% of residents are temporary, compared to the national average of 6.5%. The federal target to reduce the national percentage to 5% places an undue burden on our province, which has unique demographic and economic needs.

Strategic Solutions by Work Global Canada Inc.:

Work Global Canada Inc. has been proactive in providing businesses with core pathway options and will continue provide strategic programs to help businesses navigate labor shortages and find the talent they need.

Our efforts include:

• Francophone Mobility Program: Leveraging the Francophone Mobility Program, which allows Canadian employers to hire French-speaking skilled workers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This program is particularly beneficial for attracting talent to regions outside Quebec and aligns with Canada’s Francophone immigration targets, which aim to increase the proportion of French-speaking immigrants to 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027
• CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement): Utilizing the CUSMA provisions to attract skilled workers from the U.S. and Mexico. This agreement facilitates the mobility of professionals, intra-company transferees, traders, and investors without requiring an LMIA
• Business Immigration Programs: Promoting business immigration pathways such as the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program, and the C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit. These programs support entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish or expand their businesses in Canada.

We urge the federal government to reconsider this decision and work with us to find a solution that supports the unique needs of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. We are committed to engaging with our business community and stakeholders to navigate these challenges and ensure that we continue to attract and retain the talent necessary for our region’s prosperity. Information sessions will be hosted to address the situation and explore alternative strategies.

Call to Action:

We call on the public to support our efforts by reaching out to their local representatives and voicing their concerns about the impact of this reduction on our provinces. Your support is crucial in ensuring that Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick can continue to thrive and grow. Together, we can make a difference.

Contact:

Paul Shelley

709-700-1983

For further information, please visit our website or contact our office directly.