Canada and New Brunswick sign immigration agreement

News Release

March 31, 2017 – Moncton, NB – Today, an agreement was signed that will help New Brunswick address labour shortages and grow its population. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Donald Arseneault, New Brunswick Minister for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, signed the Canada-New Brunswick Immigration Agreement.

The signing took place in Moncton, New Brunswick, during the first Forum on Francophone Immigration between federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for Immigration and for the Canadian Francophonie.

The agreement supports New Brunswick in its goal to help fill labour shortages and grow its population by welcoming more immigrants. An annex to the agreement, “French-Speaking Immigrants,” is the first of its kind. It outlines how Canada and New Brunswick will work together to attract and retain French-speaking immigrants, and bring in more skilled workers.

Quotes

“I am pleased that Canada and New Brunswick have signed the first Canada-New Brunswick Immigration Agreement, which includes a focus on francophone immigration. We anticipate that this agreement will contribute to New Brunswick’s efforts to grow its francophone communities and meet its francophone immigration targets. I look forward to continuing a strong, collaborative relationship with New Brunswick under this new partnership in support of the province’s economic priorities.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“I am very pleased to be the first province to have negotiated a francophone immigration annex. Maintaining the unique linguistic makeup of our province is a priority and we believe the annex will ensure both federal and provincial governments apply a francophone immigration lens when developing new programming and policies.”

– Donald Arseneault, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Quick Facts

  • This agreement will guide the relationship on immigration between Canada and New Brunswick for the next five years. It is the first comprehensive bilateral agreement on immigration between Canada and New Brunswick.

  • The French-Speaking Immigrants annex aims to explore opportunities to bring in more French-speaking immigrants and to help New Brunswick connect these immigrants with francophone communities as well as promote French integration services.

  • The agreement aligns with the Atlantic Growth Strategy, including the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

Associated Links

Contacts

For media only

Camielle Edwards
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

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