Halifax (March 20, 2024) - The Atlantic Economic Council released its ATLANTIC Immigration Tracker today. This new annual publication assesses the progress the Atlantic provinces have made over the last decade in attracting, retaining, and integrating immigrants to support our declining labour force.

The Atlantic region has made progress over the last decade in attracting immigrants after decades of relatively low immigration. Immigration reached a record 32,000 in the region in 2023, up from 5,800 in 2013. Each Atlantic province is relying on immigration to grow their population and meet labour needs in face of an aging and shrinking workforce.

“For the first time the three Maritime provinces are attracting immigrants in proportion to their share of Canada’s population. Newfoundland and Labrador is approaching that level.” says Patrick Brannon, Senior Researcher with the Council. 

About 77% of immigrants in 2023 settled in the region’s six fastest growing cities. Immigration is growing in smaller cities and in rural areas but remain at much lower shares of the population than in larger cities.

Immigrant retention rates in Atlantic Canada remain low compared to other provinces and have not improved much over the past five years. The Atlantic region retained about 57% of immigrants it attracted in 2017 after five years. The five-year retention rate has varied between 50% and 60% over the last few years.

“The provinces need to pace immigration and population growth with their capacity to integrate immigrants” says Brannon. “In order to improve retention levels we need to ensure immigrants have access to affordable housing, health care, child care and education.”

Economic integration is also important to raising immigrant retention rates. Unemployment and employment rates for immigrants have improved over the last decade and match or are better than non-immigrants. Income levels for immigrants are rising but still trail non-immigrants.

The design and criteria for individual programs is also important to their success. More detailed data on retention and integration are required to fully assess the success and effectiveness of individual immigration streams and programs.

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To receive a copy of this publication or schedule an interview, please contact: 

Erica Parrill 
Communications Manager 
Email:  erica@atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca
Mobile:  902-877-2159