Immigrants In New Brunswick: Population Trends

Immigration to New Brunswick, Canada, has been on the rise in recent years, with the province attracting thousands of newcomers and international immigrants. In 2022, the population of New Brunswick surpassed 800,000, a significant milestone, driven largely by record immigration levels and an influx of domestic migrants from Ontario. Between April 2021 and March 2022, 6,581 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick, the largest number in a single year since records began in 1932. This trend has continued, with Statistics Canada estimating the population to have grown to 804,855 as of March 2024.

New Brunswick has a diverse immigrant population, with people arriving from over 110 countries. The top source countries include China, South Korea, the United States, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The province is officially bilingual, with a majority English-speaking population and a substantial French-speaking minority, mainly of Acadian origin.

The recent immigration boom has brought both benefits and challenges to New Brunswick. While it has helped counteract the province's aging population and filled gaps in the labour market, it has also put a strain on housing, with rising costs and a shortage of supply.

New Brunswick's population exceeded 800,000 in 2022

New Brunswick, one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories, saw its population exceed 800,000 in 2022. This was due to a record number of immigrants and an influx of people from Ontario.

New Brunswick's population has been steadily growing since the 1850s, and in March 2022, it reached a significant milestone when it surpassed 800,000 people. This was a notable moment for the province, as Premier Blaine Higgs highlighted the appeal of New Brunswick, stating that "people across the country and around the world are seeing the value, the opportunity and the reward of choosing to live here."

The population growth in New Brunswick was driven by two main factors: international immigration and domestic migration from Ontario. Between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, a record 6,581 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick, the largest number in a single year since records began in 1932. This was a significant increase from the monthly average of fewer than 200 immigrants when Mohamed Bagha, the managing director of the Saint John Newcomers Centre, started his position in 2013. The centre helps immigrants settle into the community, and Bagha has noticed the challenges of accommodating such large numbers, particularly regarding housing.

In addition to international immigration, there was a significant movement of people from Ontario to New Brunswick. During the year ending in March, 10,540 people moved from Ontario to New Brunswick, seeking more space, affordable housing, or a change in lifestyle. In contrast, only 3,005 people moved from New Brunswick to Ontario during the same period, resulting in a net gain of 7,535 people for New Brunswick. This was the largest influx from a single province since records began in 1952.

The effects of this rapid population growth have been mixed. On the one hand, younger families are helping to counteract the province's aging population and filling gaps in the labour market. School enrolment has increased, and there has been a slight uptick in births. On the other hand, the high number of arrivals has put a strain on housing, with rents and property prices escalating.

New Brunswick's population is expected to continue growing due to its prosperous industries, beautiful historic sites, events, festivals, and quality education system. The province's population in 2024 is estimated to be 855,825, making it the eighth most populous province in Canada.

6,581 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022

Between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, 6,581 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick. This was the largest number of immigrants to arrive in the province in a single year since records began in 1932. The previous year also saw a record number of Canadians moving to New Brunswick from other provinces, with 10,540 people arriving from Ontario alone.

The surge in immigration to New Brunswick is part of a wider trend of population growth in the province. In March 2022, the population of New Brunswick surpassed 800,000 for the first time, an increase of over 20,000 people in 18 months. This marks a significant shift from the period between 1997 and 2010, when the province experienced no population growth at all.

The recent influx of immigrants has been welcomed by the province, which has a long history of shaping communities through immigration. However, it has also presented some challenges, particularly in terms of housing availability and affordability. Despite these challenges, New Brunswick remains a desirable destination for immigrants, offering opportunities and a high quality of life.

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program targets qualified candidates

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) targets qualified candidates who meet specific economic and labour market needs in the province. The program is administered by the Department of Postsecondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL).

Prospective immigrants must have the desired skills and experience to fill workforce gaps and contribute to local economies and communities. There are five categories through which candidates can qualify:

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream: This stream targets candidates with profiles in the federal Express Entry Pool. They must have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick's economy and be ready to live and work permanently in the province. Candidates are assessed and scored on six factors: age, education, language skills, work experience, job offer, and adaptability.
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream: This stream is aimed at candidates who have secured a permanent, full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer. Candidates are assessed on six selection factors and must score 60 points out of 100 to qualify.
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream for Truck Drivers: This stream specifically targets transport truck drivers (NOC 7511) who have secured a permanent, full-time job offer from a New Brunswick employer. The selection factors are the same as those for the Skilled Worker Stream.
• New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream: This stream is designed for professionals ready to invest in and actively manage a business in the province while settling there with their families. Candidates must have a eligible connection to New Brunswick, a minimum of two years of post-secondary education, a minimum personal net worth of $600,000 CAD, and other requirements.
• New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream: This stream targets international graduates from recognized New Brunswick universities or community colleges who have started or acquired a business in the province and operated it for at least one year while holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Candidates must be between 22 and 40 years old, have valid language test scores, and meet other eligibility criteria.

In addition to these five streams, candidates can also qualify for New Brunswick immigration through the Atlantic Immigration Program, which is a collaborative effort between the Government of Canada and four Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, to recruit foreign workers and address labour market shortages.

Immigrants to New Brunswick come from over 110 countries

New Brunswick, one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces, has seen a surge in immigration in recent years. Between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, there were 11,020 new immigrants to the province, with a record 6,581 immigrants arriving between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. This influx of newcomers has contributed significantly to the province's population growth, pushing it past the 800,000 mark.

Immigrants to New Brunswick come from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds. From 2000 to 2015, during which the province attracted 0.64% of Canada's immigrants, newcomers arrived from over 110 countries. The top source countries during this period were China (17%), South Korea (13%), the United States (6%), Vietnam (5%), the Philippines (5%), the United Kingdom (5%), Iran (5%), India (3%), France (3%), and Romania (2%). The annual intake of immigrants from China and Vietnam showed an increasing trend until 2014, after which it declined, while the number of immigrants from the Philippines steadily increased over the years.

New Brunswick offers a welcoming environment for immigrants, valuing the skills and experiences they bring to the province. It boasts a low cost of living, excellent health and education services, and easy access to beautiful natural surroundings. The province is bilingual, with residents speaking English, French, or both, and government services are available in both official languages.

To facilitate the integration of newcomers, New Brunswick provides a range of services and resources. These include the Welcome to New Brunswick initiative, which offers information on doing business in the province, provincial nominee programs, and immigrant-serving agencies. Additionally, the Community Profiles website provides insights into the region's municipalities, and resources like the Orientation Guide for New Brunswick are designed to help immigrants adjust to their new lives in the province.

The recent immigration boom in New Brunswick has brought about both benefits and challenges. On the one hand, younger immigrant families are helping to counteract the province's aging population and filling gaps in the labour market. On the other hand, the rapid influx of people has led to a shortage of housing, with rising costs for renting or buying. Despite these challenges, New Brunswick continues to be a desirable destination for immigrants, offering opportunities and an excellent quality of life.

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province

The Act also affirmed the equality of status and equal rights and privileges of the two linguistic communities, allowing them to have separate institutions for cultural, educational, and social activities. This was further reinforced by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, which included certain language rights that specifically applied to the institutions of the Legislature and the government of New Brunswick.

The province's bilingual status is constitutionally entrenched under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, with Sections 16-20 guaranteeing the same rights at both the federal and provincial levels. This means that English and French have equality of status in New Brunswick, and residents have the right to use either language in the legislature, laws, court proceedings, and when receiving government services.

New Brunswick's commitment to bilingualism is evident in various aspects of life, including education. The province has both anglophone and francophone school districts, offering instruction in English and French respectively. Additionally, there is a focus on boosting the number of bilingual high school graduates, with goals set to increase the percentage of bilingualism among graduates.

The recognition of English and French as official languages in New Brunswick ensures that all residents have equal access to services and can choose the language they prefer to communicate in. This commitment to bilingualism is a unique aspect of the province's culture and identity.

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