Nova Scotia to see immigration increase after Ottawa slashed numbers earlier this year

Nova Scotia is getting an increase to its immigration allotment.

Nova Scotia has seen a boost in its immigration allotment from Ottawa.

Speaking to reporters for an unrelated announcement in Halifax on Thursday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister and Halifax West MP Lena Metlege Diab confirmed provinces across the country sought increases.

“They all asked for it,” she said. “I’m happy to tell you Nova Scotia is going to get a significant number.”

Diab said they told provincial and territorial ministers the news of Ottawa’s change of course during a meeting on Wednesday.

Nova Scotia’s total immigration allocation in 2025 was slashed in half – similar to a national cutback – from 6,300 in 2024 to 3,150 this year.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration confirms to CTV News Atlantic the increase in the provincial nominee program represents 559 spots, bringing the total to 3,709 for this year.

The province declined an interview request on Friday, but said in a statement its sights are set on two demographics in particular.

“Nova Scotia remains focused on connecting residents to jobs and attracting the skilled workers we need in key sectors, particularly health care and construction,” the department’s statement said.

That move is supported by a Nova Scotian who immigrated to Canada in 1998.

“We should bring more people who are skilled in the areas where we need them,” said Cintia Nascimento.

But it needs to be done carefully, she warns.

“We need more infrastructure here in Halifax because the traffic is getting so bad and there are more people coming in.”

She’s not the only one hesitant about having the infrastructure to keep growing.

“Sometimes, I think maybe we don’t, but I’m not 100 per cent,” said Philip McLean.

The Construction Association of Nova Scotia says “responsible immigration” is a must.

“We’re really pleased with it,” said president and CEO Duncan Williams, of Ottawa’s latest announcement.

“We weren’t supporters of the cuts. The way they were made originally were, frankly, irresponsible and without consultation.”

And while their workforce shortage of 2,500-to-3,000 people certainly won’t be solved entirely by immigration, he says it will help.

“If we’re in the 10 to 20 per cent of that number, I think we’re in we’re in a comfortable zone,” he tells CTV News.

“There’s a bit of a race to support the projects that we currently have, support future projects, then replace the workers that we need to replace over the next decade.”

Restaurants were left out of the Nova Scotia’s provincial nominee program in 2024, but say while the province isn’t alone in targeting immigration workforces, their industry is part of the solution, too.

“You’re not going to attract a doctor in a small town if the small town doesn’t have services, if there’s no coffee shop, there’s no restaurant,” said Janick Cormier, vice-president Atlantic for Restaurants Canada.

Andy Fillmore, Halifax’s mayor, told CTV News in a statement that, “In addition to contributing to the cultural fabric of our communities, newcomers address critical labour shortages and serve as a key driver for economic growth and development.”

“Population growth is a sign of our city’s success,” he said, “but it must be paired with smart planning that ensures residents can find housing and move around the city efficiently.”

Ottawa said the increase takes effect immediately.

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