RIVERVIEW (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant and Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry hosted an Opportunities Summit in Riverview yesterday for those involved in immigration.
“Immigration is proven to contribute to economic growth; therefore, we need to create an environment that will attract and retain more people to our province,” said Gallant.
A group of New Brunswickers including representatives from economic development agencies, settlement services and municipalities were invited to share ideas about economic immigration. New Brunswick averages 2,000 immigrants per year, with 70 per cent of these newcomers settling in the province for the long term.
Discussions focused on ways to counteract the aging population in New Brunswick through immigration, improving opportunities for newcomers to start businesses, and matching employment needs with the province’s immigration strategies.
“I thank those who participated in yesterday’s summit to help develop strategies that show New Brunswick is a welcoming province and the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Landry said. “By working together we will make significant progress on improving the province’s immigrant recruitment and retention rates.”
A series of Opportunities Summits are taking place around the province to identify new prospects for creating jobs and economic growth in New Brunswick. The opportunities identified will be reviewed and evaluated for development as part of an economic action plan for the province.
23-10-15