Maple News reports that Nova Scotia is set to receive a major boost in immigration allocations as Ottawa begins reversing earlier reductions made under former immigration minister Marc Miller. The announcement came on October 16, 2025, during a press conference in Halifax, where current federal immigration minister Lena Diab indicated that the province’s allocation under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) would be “significantly” increased.
While exact figures and timelines have yet to be disclosed, the move signals a shift in federal immigration policy ahead of the anticipated release of Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan later this month. Minister Diab noted that Nova Scotia, along with several other provinces, had formally requested higher allocations to respond to local economic needs and labour shortages.
In January 2025, Nova Scotia’s nomination quota was cut in half—from 3,570 to 1,785 spots—drawing sharp criticism from industry leaders across the province. The Construction Association of Nova Scotia labelled the cuts “short-sighted” and “irresponsible,” warning they would exacerbate workforce shortages in critical sectors like construction, healthcare, education, and community services.
According to Diab, recent meetings with provincial immigration ministers revealed a shared concern over the impact of reduced federal quotas. “They all asked for higher allocations,” she stated. “We’re either negotiating or have reached new agreements with several provinces.” However, she did not confirm whether Nova Scotia’s increased allocation would apply during the current year or be phased in starting in 2026.
The announcement follows a pattern seen across Canada, with provinces such as Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador also receiving or negotiating increased allocations. Manitoba, for instance, was recently granted an additional 1,500 nominations after facing cuts earlier this year. These adjustments reflect the federal government’s evolving effort to better align immigration targets with regional labour requirements.
Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Nolan Young has not yet issued a statement on the announcement, though ongoing discussions between federal and provincial officials are expected to align shared priorities. Historically, the NSNP has served as a vital tool for the province to attract and retain skilled workers in sectors grappling with recruitment challenges.
With the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan set to outline national targets through 2028, Ottawa appears intent on adopting a more responsive, regionalized approach to immigration. For Nova Scotia, the forthcoming increase offers hope that the province will soon regain the capacity to attract the skilled newcomers essential to its economic development.
This development is part of a broader recalibration of Canada’s immigration strategy, aimed at enabling provinces to effectively tackle their unique demographic and labour market needs through tailored immigration pathways.
Stay tuned with Maple News for continued coverage on Canada’s immigration strategy and program updates.