Provincial Government Signs First-Ever Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement

Today, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, and the Honourable John McCallum, federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, signed the first-ever Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement. The agreement helps strengthen the partnership between the two levels of government to encourage immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Immigrants coming to our province not only enrich the social fabric of Newfoundland and Labrador, they also bring economic advantages, generate innovation, attract industries and workers, and spur economic growth. Today’s agreement strengthens our partnership with the Federal Government and our commitment to attracting and retaining more immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador to address our economic, labour market and demographic needs.”
– The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

This first bilateral immigration framework agreement formalizes and builds on the existing collaborative relationship between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador on immigration matters, including the Provincial Nominee Program.

“Today, with the signing of this new agreement, we are strengthening a longstanding tradition of cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the important issue of immigration. We know that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ambitious immigration objectives and this historic agreement will play a key role in supporting those objectives.”
– The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The signing took place at the Association for New Canadians in St. John’s, where both ministers had the opportunity to meet with recent immigrants and settlement workers.

“We are delighted to welcome Minister McCallum and Minister Byrne to the Association for New Canadians to sign this historic agreement. As an organization that has assisted refugees and immigrants for over 35 years, we look forward to continuing to work with our federal and provincial partners in supporting the inclusion and integration of newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
– Megan Morris, Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

The new agreement means:

• Maintaining and enhancing positive relationships between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador related to immigration levels planning, and strengthening respective roles in promotion, recruitment, selection and admission of immigrants and temporary residents;
• Responding to Newfoundland and Labrador’s current and emerging social, demographic, economic development and labour market priorities;
• Supporting the successful social and economic integration and settlement of immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador, including addressing barriers to foreign qualification recognition;
• Supporting Canada’s humanitarian objectives by collaborating on the resettlement of refugees; and
• Supporting the integrity and effectiveness of immigration programs by collaborating on information sharing, research and evaluation.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been experiencing growth in immigration. In 2015, the province welcomed over 1,100 new permanent residents, a new record.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has signed the first-ever Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement.
• The agreement helps strengthen the partnership between the two levels of government to encourage immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The agreement formalizes and builds on the existing collaborative relationship between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador on immigration matters, including the Provincial Nominee Program.
• For more information on immigration, visit the Provincial Government’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism at www.facebook.com/nlimmigration.

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Source: http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca