Record-setting year for immigration

More immigrants have been approved to make Nova Scotia their home in 2018 than ever before.

Government approved 2,272 people to come through immigration programs, up from 1,651 in 2017.

Nova Scotia is also on track for a record number of landings in 2018. Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 5,225 newcomers have made Nova Scotia home. With two months of reporting to go, landings will likely surpass the 2016 record year of 5,485.

“These numbers reflect the work we have done to attract international talent to our province” said Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “The success we are seeing will help increase access to important services, grow our population and strengthen our economy benefiting all Nova Scotians.”

The province introduced two new immigration programs or streams this year – the Labour Market Priorities Stream and the Physician Stream. The Labour Market Priorities Stream allows the Office of Immigration to invite skilled professionals from the federal Express Entry system to apply directly to Nova Scotia. The goal of the Physician Stream is to help attract and make the immigration process faster for internationally trained primary care doctors and specialists. Since it launched in February, 18 physicians have been nominated.

In addition, Nova Scotia surpassed its Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program target with 872 people endorsed. The pilot is an innovative partnership between the four Atlantic provinces and the Government of Canada to help businesses attract and retain skilled newcomers to fill labour gaps. Across the province, 716 businesses have been designated to hire and fill positions through the program.

This year, the Office of Immigration invested in a new brand and international recruitment and marketing strategy to reach potential newcomers. The office attended 10 international recruitment events and took part in 150 events provincewide.

More information on the Office of Immigration can be found at: novascotiaimmigration.com