Federal minister wants to more than double immigration target for Newfoundland and Labrador

Stephen Smith
Published: March 9, 2018

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador could more than double its immigration target if federal cabinet minister Seamus O’Regan has his way.

O’Regan, who serves as Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Member of Parliament for a riding in Newfoundland's capital city St. John's, says he has buy-in from Canada’s Immigration Minister, Ahmed Hussen, to increase the province’s current immigration target of 1,700 newcomers by 2022 to at least 4,000.

Source: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“I was just on the phone with my friend, Somali refugee-turned-Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, and we are ready to make this happen,” O’Regan told a meeting of the St. John’s Board of Trade this week.

Given the combination of outmigration and a population that is aging “at an incredible rate,” O’Regan said 4,000 new immigrants is the baseline for keeping the social effects of Newfoundland and Labrador’s shrinking tax base from getting worse.

“We need a minimum of 4,000 new immigrants a year in this province just to maintain the status quo,” O’Regan said. “But I’m not interested in maintaining the status quo. I’m interested in growing this economy. I’m interested in more jobs, in higher profits, in increased prosperity — and that means more immigrants. A lot more.”

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador projects that by 2025, the province will experience a 10 per cent decline in its working-age population, resulting in 35,000 fewer people in the provincial labour market.

The province has been welcoming a steadily increasing number of newcomers in recent years, increasing from a total of 546 in 2007 to 1,122 in 2015.

O’Regan said he plans to assemble representatives of labour, business and government in Newfoundland and Labrador to look at ways they can make the increase he is proposing a reality.

“I believe that doom is not inevitable and that there exists the opportunity for our province to succeed and to thrive, but we’ve got to take bold action and we’ve got to strike out in new directions,” he said.

To find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs, fill out a FREE assessment form.

'A cord of wood, a cup of sugar for the new neighbour down the way'

The Veterans Affairs minister said he believes the people of Newfoundland and Labrador would open their doors to newcomers.

“Once people come here, they are welcomed into our communities, they are welcomed into our homes, and they are often welcomed into our hearts,” he said.

O’Regan took pride in a recent Canadian survey of immigrants that ranked St. John’s among the most open and welcoming cities in the country.

Source: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We always have a cord of wood or a cup of sugar for the new neighbour down the way, and that is worth fighting for,” he said.

He pointed to his own experience as a gay man who married his partner in St. John’s and found nothing but acceptance from the local residents. He also pointed to his grandfather’s experience as a refugee who fled civil war in Ireland and was welcomed in Newfoundland.

"No one was interested in taking in an Irishman, nothing but trouble, but the Dominion of Newfoundland did — and I'd like to think it worked out pretty well for my family and me."

O’Regan said Newfoundlanders have everything to gain from a new wave of immigration to the province.

“They don’t take our jobs, they create them,” he said. “Immigrants send more of their children to college and university; they use less social services than we do. And they are far more likely to start their own businesses and create jobs than we are.”

He highlighted the case of HeyOrca, a local social media planning business founded by international students who graduated from Memorial University in St. John’s.

“They hired 30 people over the last two years and 90 per cent of their market is in the U.S.,” O’Regan noted. “I want more. I want them all over the province.”

“This is the time for boldness, for seizing opportunities that present themselves on the global stage.”

To learn more about immigration options under the Newfoundland And Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, click here.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a FREE assessment form.

© 2018 CICNews All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador now issuing Provincial Attestation Letters
An overheard view of a group of students studying
Five provinces issue provincial immigration invitations this week
woman and son sitting on red chairs and posing for photos at Mont Tremblant summit. Quebec. Canada.
Where do most South Asians live in Canada?
A South Asian family in their living room
Study: Fewer recent immigrants are seeking Canadian citizenship
Young family with children having fun in nature on a picnic
Top Stories
Nova Scotia to issue 12,900 study permits to international students in 2024
Can I travel outside of Canada as a temporary resident?
Ontario announces distribution of allocation for international study permits in 2024
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Study
Nova Scotia to issue 12,900 study permits to international students in 2024
Ontario announces distribution of allocation for international study permits in 2024
Ontario will be issuing 96% of its allocated study permits to public colleges and universities.
New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador now issuing Provincial Attestation Letters
An overheard view of a group of students studying
Deadline to apply for PGWP moves for students of college programs with public-private curriculum licensing agreement
Some international graduates must apply for their PGWP before May 15 to remain eligible.
Link copied to clipboard