Question Period Note: Atlantic Pilot Program

Transitioning the Atlantic Immigration Pilot into a Permanent Program

• Immigration is a driving force in meeting Canada’s demographic and labour market needs. Recognizing this, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot continues to support employers using immigration to fill key labour market vacancies and increase newcomer retention in Atlantic Canada.
• Since its launch in 2017, participating employers in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot have made over 8,100 job offers in key sectors including manufacturing and health care. This has resulted in over 7,300 approved permanent residents in the Atlantic region.
• Because of its success and because it has been so well-received, our Government is committed to making this a permanent program once the pilot expires at the end of 2021.
• We are working closely with the Atlantic provinces to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on the labour market and explore ways to support the economic recovery of the region, including through the AIP.

• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) was launched in 2017 to meet regional economic and demographic growth needs in Atlantic Canada.

• The AIP has three distinguishing features to address regional labour market needs and increase retention of newcomers in Atlantic Canada:
i. Increased employer participation in candidate recruitment to fill labour needs and in retention of skilled workers in the region.
ii. Mandatory needs assessment and settlement plan for each newcomer and their family members to welcome them to their new communities and help them to integrate effectively.
iii. Pan-Atlantic governance model in collaboration with the Atlantic provinces, with multiple delivery partners and a Dedicated Service Channel to give personalized immigration support to employers in Atlantic Canada.

• Since the launch of the pilot, uptake is increasing steadily as outreach and employer support initiatives continue, with over 7,300 approved permanent residents already in the Atlantic region.

• As a result of this increased participation, the overall provincial endorsement allocation spaces were steadily increased each year based on demand and program growth.

• In support of the Minister’s mandate letter commitment and to further link immigration to the region’s economic development needs, IRCC is working to develop a permanent Atlantic Immigration Program that draws upon the lessons from the roll-out of the pilot, stakeholder consultations and the pilot evaluation.

• On January 29, 2021 IRCC published its Evaluation of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot online. This evaluation incorporated the experiences and feedback of applicants, employers, service provider organizations, and provincial stakeholders.

• The report found that the AIP was largely successful in supporting labour market needs in the Atlantic Canada as a result of its unique employer-driven focus, enhanced settlement support, and federal-provincial partnership model.

• The evaluation also made recommendations to improve the program, such as clarifying roles between partners and continuing to raise awareness among employers about the services available to them. IRCC is working to incorporate these recommendations into the AIP as we transition it into a permanent program.

None