New Brunswick Secures Boost in Immigration Quota After Federal Negotiations
New Brunswick has successfully secured an increased immigration allocation for 2025 following negotiations with the federal government. The province’s total allocation under its immigration programs has now climbed to 4,250 spots—an increase of 1,500 over the previously announced limit.
Earlier this year, New Brunswick had faced a sharp cut in its immigration nominations, with the federal government slashing its allocation by 50%, reducing the number of available spaces to just 2,750. The new agreement marks a significant reversal of that decision.
Deal Secures Additional 1,500 Spots
The additional 1,500 spaces will be exclusively used under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), the province’s key economic immigration stream. The full 4,250 allocation for 2025 includes spaces for both NBPNP nominees and endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
In return for the increased allocation, New Brunswick has agreed to accept up to 400 asylum claimants over the next two years. The province will receive financial assistance from the federal government through the Interim Housing Assistance Program to support temporary housing and integration services for these individuals.
Focused Immigration Strategy to Fill Labour Gaps
As part of its strategic approach, New Brunswick will continue to prioritize immigrants who work in high-demand sectors, including:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Construction trades
Other sectors may still receive nominations, but in significantly smaller numbers. Additionally, some occupations will be temporarily restricted from participation in the PNP, a move aimed at focusing resources where labour shortages are most critical.
Supporting Asylum Seekers with Integration and Employment
Provincial officials are set to begin outreach efforts in the coming weeks to connect with asylum seekers currently residing elsewhere in Canada. These individuals, if willing to relocate to New Brunswick, will be supported by local settlement agencies offering housing assistance, integration services, and employment support.
The province anticipates that many of the asylum claimants are job-ready and can help address labour shortages in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation. Employers like J.D. Irving, Ltd. are expected to play a key role in facilitating workforce entry for these newcomers.
National Context: Widespread Cuts Across Provinces
New Brunswick is now the second province to have successfully renegotiated its immigration numbers for 2025. Earlier this year, Newfoundland and Labrador also secured an increase, with their allocation jumping from 1,050 to 2,525 spots.
Other provinces, however, continue to struggle with reduced allocations. Ontario, for example, saw its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) quota cut from 21,500 in 2024 to 10,750 in 2025. British Columbia faced a similar fate, with its allocation dropping from 8,000 to 4,000, prompting drastic streamlining of its PNP and a cap of just 1,100 new applications this year.
These cuts stem from the federal government’s latest Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027), which lowered the overall PNP target for 2025 to just 55,000—down from 120,000 in the 2023 plan.
Despite the broader reductions, New Brunswick’s successful negotiation reflects a growing willingness at the federal level to respond to targeted, economically justified provincial demands.
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