New Brunswick has secured 1,500 additional permanent resident nominations from the federal government, bringing the province’s total allocation to 4,250 spots for 2025 as it works to address critical labour shortages across key sectors.
The increase comes after provincial negotiations with Ottawa, with all additional nominations directed to the Provincial Nominee Program. The province will focus these nominations on health, education and construction trades while supporting other sectors when possible.
“Newcomers are critically important to addressing New Brunswick’s workforce demands, and we have continued to make that clear with our federal counterparts,” said Jean-Claude D’Amours, acting minister of post-secondary education, training and labour, and minister responsible for immigration. “We appreciate the federal government’s willingness to listen to our needs and their flexibility on this issue.”
Asylum claimant relocation part of deal
As part of the agreement, New Brunswick will relocate 400 asylum claimants to the province over two years, contingent on their consent. The federal government will provide more than $14.1 million through the Interim Housing Assistance Program to help with temporary housing needs as asylum claimants transition into the workforce.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support New Brunswick in welcoming newcomers to help meet labour market needs and strengthen communities across the province,” said federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “With new federal funding through the Interim Housing Assistance Program, we’re also taking a more co-ordinated and sustainable approach to provide temporary housing and help asylum claimants settle and start building their lives in communities across Canada.”
Business groups welcome workforce solution
The announcement received support from major business organizations dealing with ongoing labour shortages. Small business owners in New Brunswick reported qualified labour shortages as their most pressing issue in the first quarter of 2025, with 51 per cent identifying it as their top concern.
“With 51 per cent of small business owners in New Brunswick reporting shortages in qualified labour as their most important issue across the first quarter of the year, every opportunity needs to be seized to match skilled workers to jobs,” said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, vice-president, Atlantic Canada, of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “We look forward to supporting the process of this initiative.”
Monica Gaudet-Justason, president and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council, said the province needs skilled workers regardless of their background.
“We recognize the minister’s efforts to engage the federal government about the province’s workforce needs,” said Gaudet-Justason. “Now more than ever, we need skilled labour, whether they are an asylum claimant or a newcomer to New Brunswick.”
Francophone integration support
The Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick will work to integrate francophone workers into the provincial economy and communities.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the province in their efforts to bring in workers to support our labour force needs,” said Jonathan Duffaud, CEO of the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick. “We will encourage our francophone members to work with the province and settlement agencies to integrate these individuals into the workforce and into our communities as quickly as possible.”
The initiative also received backing from the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Multicultural Council and employers including J.D. Irving, Ltd.
Implementation timeline
Provincial representatives will meet with asylum claimants already in Canada who have expressed interest in moving to New Brunswick over the coming weeks. Those who relocate will receive support from local settlement agencies for housing, independent living and workforce entry.
D’Amours noted that many asylum claimants can already contribute to the provincial economy, with the government working alongside employers like J.D. Irving, Ltd. to identify potential employees who can address labour force challenges.
Workers in some occupations will be restricted from participating in the program. Applicants should monitor program notices for the latest information on eligibility requirements.
