Pilot Made Permanent - Atlantic Immigration Program

Yesterday Dec 17, 2021, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Program. This new permanent program will officially open on January 1, 2022, helping the Atlantic provinces attract the skilled newcomers they need to address economic and demographic challenges, such as the labour shortage in the region.

This is due to the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, originally launched in 2017. Which brought in over 10,000 new Permanent Residents to Atlantic Canada. Since launch participating employers has created over 9,800 job offers to support the program. These offers being in key areas such as:

• Manufacturing,

• Food Services,

• Health Care, and

• Accommodations.

This led to over 90% of applicants still residing in the region after one year, a huge increase in retention rate over other programs.

The following changes are being made to the new Permanent Program; these are.

1. Clarifying roles between Partners,

2. Increasing employer support through training, and

3. Strengthening program requirements to ensure newcomers can successfully establish themselves in the region.

To ensure the success of the new permanent program, 3 key features will be retained, these are as follows:

1. a focus on employers,

2. enhanced settlement support and a collaborative approach across all Atlantic provinces.

3. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Atlantic provinces worked closely together to design the permanent program based on lessons learned and recommendations from the pilot evaluation.

Those that qualify under the new permanent program can begin submitting applications for permanent residence under the new program on March 6, 2022.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is working closely with employers and provincial governments to ensure a smooth transition between the pilot and the permanent program. Candidates with a valid endorsement can begin submitting applications for permanent residence under the new program on March 6, 2022.

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This update has been compiled with the latest available information for the general information of Border Law clients and other interested parties. This Update is not comprehensive and should not be relied upon without appropriate legal advice.