The provincial government has expressed outrage after learning that Newfoundland and Labrador's annual immigration allocation has been drastically reduced by the federal government.
The new cap, set at 1,525 economic immigration allocations annually for the next three years, represents a significant drop from last year’s allocation of 3,050.
Particularly concerning is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which has been capped at 1,050 spots per year, with 75 percent required to transition to permanent residency. The remaining 475 allocations fall under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Immigration Minister Sarah Stoodley described her reaction to the announcement as “shocked, disappointed, and gob-smacked.” She revealed that the decision came via a letter from the federal minister late Wednesday, after the province had been working on an agreed-upon strategy to maintain higher numbers.
“We were working together on a plan in good faith because we were told that if we did so, we’d get to keep our number,” said Stoodley. “And now we’re told we’re receiving the same 50 percent cut.”
The new cap will limit Newfoundland and Labrador to just 788 economic immigration spots each year, leaving only 737 positions for recruiting international professionals. This will force the province to make difficult decisions about its recruitment strategy, especially in critical areas such as health care, education, and other essential services.
Stoodley noted that while 6.5 percent of Canada’s population comprises temporary residents, only 1.6 percent of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population holds that status. She expressed frustration, stating the province is being unfairly “tarred with the same brush” as other regions.
The province has gained attention in recent years for its aggressive international recruitment efforts. These initiatives include establishing a Ukrainian desk in Poland, partnering with the Barrow FC football club in the U.K., and trips to Ireland, the Middle East, and India to recruit health care professionals.
Stoodley highlighted the potential impacts of the cuts, referencing a recent success story where the government helped Country Ribbon recruit a CEO internationally after a local search failed.
“Yesterday, I received a glowing email from the CEO of Country Ribbon thanking us for our help,” she said. “Now we have to make impossible choices: do we help businesses recruit leadership, or do we prioritize a social worker or paramedic? These drastic cuts put us in an incredibly difficult position.”
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