New Brunswick's restaurants, food processors, and other industries relying on immigrant workers are facing potential closures due to a federal decision to reduce immigration allocations.
The province's immigration minister, Jean-Claude D'Amours, warned that businesses will struggle after Ottawa cut allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program from 5,500 to 2,750.
The provincial government is prioritizing health, education, and trades sectors, leaving others, like food service, uncertain about their workforce.
Industry groups, including Restaurants Canada and Food and Beverage Atlantic, have voiced concerns, particularly for rural businesses that depend on immigrant labor.
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller suggested flexibility in allocation if provinces accept more asylum seekers, a deal Newfoundland and Labrador has already struck.
While D'Amours is open to discussions, he says Ottawa has not yet provided a concrete proposal.
