New Brunswick could benefit from an increase in the number of newcomers over the next three years as a result of policies proposed by the Progressive Conservative Party.
The Progressive Conservative Party said its goal is to attract 10,000 people to the province per year by 2027.
The province wants to increase the number of francophone immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program to support the growth of francophone culture. The party’s platform sets a goal that would allow francophone immigrants to make up 33% of the population by 2024.
This goal, which would reflect the proportion of francophones in New Brunswick’s population, was supposed to be achieved this year, but has been postponed and is now set again..
New Brunswick is facing labour shortages due to the lack of skilled workers. According to provincial government projections, some 120,000 jobs will be unfilled over the next ten years. The low birth rate, the growth of the elderly population, and the rate of youth migration have created an acute shortage of skilled workers in the province.
To increase its population, New Brunswick plans to continue to rely on immigrants, as newcomers have helped the province see the longest period of sustained growth since the 1990s. The migration of large numbers of people to the province will lead to population growth and help meet labour market needs.
