April 3, 2023, FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government announced today it has received a 67 per cent increase in immigration allocations from the federal government.

In addition, the provincial government announced through Opportunities NB a renewed Canada-New Brunswick Immigration Agreement.

The federal government has provided the province with a total allocation of 5,500 certificates for 2023 – an additional 1,084 spaces for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program and an additional 1,116 Atlantic Immigration Program allocations over 2022. This is an overall 67 per cent increase from 2022. Additional increases in allocations are expected in both 2024 and 2025.

“Immigrants help build stronger, diverse and vibrant communities which is why we are thrilled with this increase,” said Arlene Dunn, minister responsible for Immigration and for Opportunities NB. “With immigration being a shared jurisdiction, a strong partnership with the federal government is critical to our continued success on this file. I thank them for their continued support and collaboration.”

The new allocation will support economic and demographic growth, said Dunn. She said the renewed agreement is a comprehensive framework which describes the aspects of immigration to the country that are led by the province.

Under the renewed immigration agreement, the province can nominate qualified immigrants for permanent resident status and target highly skilled workers for accelerated processing by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program.

Dunn said the immigration streams that are offered provide the foundation to meet the province’s social, cultural, demographic, and economic objectives.

“As a leader in francophone immigration across the country, the province has set a target of 32 per cent of provincial nominations in 2023 being awarded to French-speaking immigration candidates,” she said. “This renewed agreement highlights the importance of our contribution to the country’s overall immigration system.”

“The Canada-New Brunswick Immigration Agreement is important for addressing ongoing immigration issues such as slow population growth and labour market demands,” said federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser. “It also demonstrates our commitment to supporting francophone immigration outside Quebec by increasing the target for admissions of French-speaking immigrants to the province and ensuring that they have the opportunities and resources they need to settle and contribute to the vibrant francophone communities in the province. I look forward to continued collaboration with New Brunswick and all my provincial and territorial colleagues as we work together to achieve our shared economic immigration objectives.”

Attracting and retaining skilled newcomers is a priority under the Connect, Grow, Prosper, Strategic Plan 2022-27 of Opportunities NB. Potential and active immigration candidates are encouraged to contact an Immigration Navigator at Opportunities NB for help navigating the provincial immigration process.

  • In North America: toll-free at 1-833-799-7966.
  • Outside North America: 506-799-7901.
  • Email: immigrationnav@navnb.ca.

Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate economic growth and create jobs by providing support services for businesses.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michel LeBlanc, communications, Opportunities NB, Michel.Leblanc@onbcanada.ca.

Bahoz Dara Aziz, press secretary, Office of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Bahoz.DaraAziz@cic.gc.ca.

Media relations, communications branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, media@cic.gc.ca.