Nova Scotia has broadened its provincial immigration program to welcome newcomers working in key essential roles, including several within the food service and hospitality industries. According to Maple News, the province has updated its Occupations in Demand stream to include more job categories, offering a clear pathway for foreign workers seeking permanent residency in Eastern Canada.
The latest additions to the eligible occupations list under this stream are:
– NOC 6513: Food and beverage servers
– NOC 6711: Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support roles
– NOC 6731: Light duty cleaners
This expansion comes as Nova Scotia continues to tackle labour shortages in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, including restaurants and tourism. By targeting these roles, the province aims to strengthen its workforce and better prepare for the anticipated growth in tourism and hospitality demand.
A key advantage of the Occupations in Demand stream is that employers no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire workers in these roles. Additionally, foreign workers are not required to complete six months of employment with their current employer before applying for provincial nomination through this program.
“We’re excited to welcome newcomers who can help employers meet their labour needs and grow Nova Scotia’s population,” said Jill Balser, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “The tourism, restaurant and hospitality sectors are critical to our economy. These changes will help these industries hire the workers they need to prepare for a busy tourism season.”
The stream primarily targets occupations classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels C and D. While these roles have been traditionally labeled as “low-skilled,” there’s growing recognition that they are indispensable to the everyday functioning of society—particularly in the wake of COVID-19.
As of July 1, Nova Scotia reported a record-high population of 992,055, attributing much of this growth to increased immigration efforts.
In addition to the newly added food-service roles, the full list of eligible occupations for the Occupations in Demand stream now includes:
– NOC 3413: Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
– NOC 6513: Food and beverage servers
– NOC 6711: Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support roles
– NOC 6731: Light duty cleaners
– NOC 7511: Transport truck drivers
– NOC 7521: Heavy equipment operators (except crane)
– NOC 7611: Construction trades helpers and labourers
To qualify for nomination under this stream, applicants must receive a full-time job offer in one of the approved occupations, have a minimum of one year of relevant work experience, and fall within the age range of 21 to 55 years old. With these adjustments, Nova Scotia continues to position itself as a dynamic and welcoming destination for essential workers around the globe.