March 23, 2016

Nova Scotia Wants More Immigrants

Canada’s Immigration Minister, the Honourable John McCallum, spoke last week in Halifax on initiatives to attract and maintain newcomers in Atlantic Canada. He said “Nova Scotia wants more immigrants. I understand that, I accept that, and I will do my best to make it happen.” Minister McCallum’s statement came in response to the Nova Scotia Premier’s request that the region receive a greater proportion of Canada’s immigrants. Last year, Nova Scotia was allowed to bring in 1,050 immigrants under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). That limit was increased to 1,350 for 2016.

A new working group will also be looking into the ways
in which they can encourage international students to settle in the area. McCallum acknowledged that the current point system, which was introduced last year by the previous government, makes it difficult for international students to gain permanent residence. Students currently have to compete with skilled workers who are more likely to have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and higher point scores under the Express Entry program. Upcoming reforms, McCallum said, will help students stay in the country.

At universities in Nova Scotia, such as Dalhousie, St. Mary’s, and Cape Breton, international students make up 14%, 25%, and 30% of the student population respectively.

CBC news interviewed Jimena Prado, a student from Mexico now studying at Dalhousie University. She said: “A lot of us are young and want to start our lives here. So I think that would be a really good thing and it would open a lot of opportunities for all of us.”

If you would like to learn more about student permits, please click here.

If you would like to read more on the Express Entry program and LMIAs, please click here.

(Sources)