A Prince Edward Island government policy to reduce immigration numbers has hit employers, and two of the province’s Chambers of Commerce are worried.
The policy aims to slow population growth to allow public services and infrastructure to catch up, reducing federal nominees by 25% in 2024.
However, this is expected to delay the permanent resident process of workers in the sales and service industry, impacting immigrant employees already residing in the province and employed in this sector.
In a joint statement, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce said they were disappointed at not being consulted regarding the framework to reduce immigration numbers.
They called the February 2024 announcement “sudden and severe.”
Read More
Newcomers Believe Canadian Immigration Targets Are Too High
Nova Scotia Pauses Immigration Applications From Food Services and Accommodation Sector
PEI Successful With Bringing in Foreign Nurses – Canada Immigration and Visa Information
“We urge the government to work collaboratively with business, chambers, and stakeholders to develop solutions and address the challenges posed by population growth without compromising the vitality of our economy and the quality of services provided to residents and visitors alike,” said Bianca McGregor, CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kaley O’Brien, CEO of Summerside Chamber of Commerce said, “The abrupt loss of so many employees has created significant disruptions in operations and has left businesses struggling to maintain service levels.”
While immigration is generally good for economic growth, the province has had to make a difficult decision. In a December 2023 interview, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King said housing supply had not kept pace with population growth.
Even though housing starts were at levels from the previous year, King said there was a need to work with the construction industry to maintain skilled labourer numbers.
The five-year plan outlining 20 priority actions unveiled to boost the housing market includes a strategy to build affordable homes for low-income residents through government development and non-profit organizations.
P.E.I.’s housing shortage has been described as a crisis since 2018, according to a CBC report.
Immigrant retention
While immigration is generally good for economic growth, the province has had to make a difficult decision. In a December 2023 interview, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King said housing supply had not kept pace with population growth.
Even though housing starts were at levels from the previous year, King said there was a need to work with the construction industry to maintain skilled labourer numbers.
The five-year plan, which outlines 20 priority actions to boost the housing market, includes a strategy to build affordable homes for low-income residents through government development and non-profit organizations.
According to a CBC report, P.E.I.’s housing shortage has been described as a crisis since 2018.
Watch Video
P.E.I.’s Office of Immigration says that under the framework, it is selecting and prioritizing skilled workers in higher-demand sectors such as health care, trades, childcare, and other key industries facing labour shortages. However, it says individuals working in the sales and service sector may not receive an invitation to apply at this time. However, this is a crucial contributing bloc to economic growth.
The province must strike a delicate balance between attracting immigrants and retaining them. Finetuning the policy may be one step to achieving growth that would only be temporary.
A son of the province, Allan Rankin, a musician, author, and former government official, wrote in 2017 that he wanted “new islanders” to stay. Otherwise, he said P.E.I. is a “revolving door to somewhere else.”
