Maple News reports that Canada’s Atlantic provinces are sharpening their focus on priority sectors under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) for 2025, as federal allocation levels for the program have been reduced. In response, provinces are strategically narrowing the scope of occupations eligible under the AIP to meet both labor market needs and program limits.
For 2025, the AIP will place particular emphasis on candidates with experience in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital industries—depending on the province. These sectors have been identified for their critical labor shortages and ongoing demand across the region.
Prince Edward Island (PEI) was the first to announce changes, stating it would prioritize AIP applications for workers in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. The shift comes after high application volumes and a tightening of federal allocations prompted the province to concentrate efforts on areas facing the greatest workforce shortages.
Nova Scotia followed suit and has outlined healthcare, social assistance, and construction as its key AIP priorities, aiming to bolster essential public services and infrastructure capacity in fast-growing communities.
Newfoundland and Labrador is accepting AIP applicants working in targeted occupations within healthcare, information and communication technology (ICT), and agriculture—industries identified as vital to the province’s economic growth and public services.
In contrast, New Brunswick has opted to pause its participation in the Atlantic Immigration Program for the remainder of 2025, citing capacity concerns. This temporary suspension gives the province time to reassess its immigration strategy and allocation management.
The AIP remains a distinct pathway to permanent residency in Canada, separate from the more commonly known Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). It allows skilled workers and international graduates to apply for permanent residence directly through the federal government, provided they secure a job offer from a designated employer and receive provincial endorsement.
Applicants to the AIP may also be eligible for a temporary work permit, allowing them to begin employment while their permanent residence application is under review.
With intensifying demand in specific sectors, Maple News advises potential applicants to align their professional profiles with the evolving needs of each Atlantic province to increase their chances of success under the AIP in the coming year.