Central Labrador is a hub of activity and is set in one of the most beautiful regions of our province and country.

Oct 2024

 

(LNCC member D’Cravings Food Truck and staff of Moe’s Bakery. Photos by Michael Chubbs, Labrador North Chamber of Commerce.)

 

LNCC Statement on Latest Immigration Cuts

 

October 25, 2024 – The federal government’s attempt to reform the immigration system with significant and abrupt changes in a very short period is of huge concern to businesses in Labrador. While the goal of these changes is to preserve the integrity of Canada’s immigration programs, it comes at a critical juncture where outmigration, an aging population, retirements and low birth rates are at an all-time high, resulting in significant job vacancies and lack of growth opportunities for employers.

 

Canada is reducing its permanent resident targets from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025 and 500,000 to 380,000 in 2026. Moreover, Canada’s temporary population will decline by 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026.

 

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, there are still 379,000 persistent vacancies in Canada’s private sector. Job vacancies continue to exist in key roles such as health care and construction, with immigration accounting for 23% of all general contractors and residential builders, according to Statistics Canada.

 

While the Government of Canada was well-intentioned to welcome a record number of immigrants throughout the past several years, the mismanagement of the immigration system coupled with the lack of attention on increasing infrastructure and social programs has resulted in a significant housing shortage and pressures on public infrastructure and the health care system. We need to move forward with solutions instead of going backwards and creating a labour force crisis for Labrador.

 

Alarmingly, recent polls illustrate that attitudes of Canadians towards immigration have soured. A significant percentage of Labrador’s current population are immigrants, and we are incredibly dependent on immigration programs to fill and respond to regional labour gaps and job vacancies. Immigrants cannot be viewed as the singular cause of the affordability crisis and pressures on our infrastructure and health care systems. It is critical that Labrador continue to welcome, support and help integrate newcomers into our rural communities to ensure Labrador’s economic success and the growth of our business community.

 

Julianne Griffin, CEO
Labrador North Chamber of Commerce