Maple News reports that Canada has extended its immigration agreement with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador for an additional year, allowing both levels of government more time to re-negotiate and strengthen their long-term immigration strategy. The announcement was made by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino and Premier Andrew Furey on August 12, outlining a renewed commitment to welcoming newcomers to the province.
Initially signed in 2016, the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement provides a collaborative framework between the federal and provincial governments. The agreement has now been extended until July 31, 2022. It supports Newfoundland and Labrador’s immigration goals, particularly at a time when the province is prioritizing population growth and economic development through newcomer attraction.
According to Gerry Byrne, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Immigration, the extension offers valuable time to develop a new agreement aimed at helping the province welcome 5,100 new immigrants annually by 2026. “We want more newcomers to choose Newfoundland and Labrador to work and settle in our increasingly welcoming and diverse communities,” Byrne said. “This extension allows us to work more closely with our federal partners to achieve our ambitious immigration targets.”
Through initiatives like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the province has made significant strides in attracting skilled workers. Since the launch of the AIP in 2017, more than 9,200 job offers have been extended to newcomers in industries such as health care and manufacturing. By May 2021, approximately 8,000 individuals and their families had settled in Atlantic Canada—with retention rates as high as 90% after one year.
With the AIP proving highly successful, the federal government plans to transition it into a permanent program in 2022. Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador continue to use the current agreement to implement ongoing initiatives. So far this year, the province has welcomed around 275 new employees and 300 family members. It has also issued nearly 400 invitations for permanent residency to healthcare workers under the Priority Skills Newfoundland pathway, and more invitations are expected soon for professionals in technology and aquaculture.
These developments reflect the province’s proactive efforts to address regional labor shortages and declining population trends, challenges common across most Atlantic provinces. While the federal government governs who can immigrate to Canada, provincial agreements play a vital role in ensuring immigration strategies respond to local economic and demographic needs.
Maple News will continue tracking these negotiations and emerging immigration pathways across Canada.