Atlantic Canada Searching For More Immigrants For A Better Future
29 Sep 2017
Atlantic Canada has an old population and the workforce in the region showing a sharp decline. The baby boomers are set to retire between 2017 and 2035. Conference Board Canada has suggested in a report that in order to improve the economic outlook and population growth of the region, Atlantic Canada needs to attract and retain more immigrants.
A small labor force combined with the aging population brings harmful consequences. It leads to weaker growth economically, hurdles for provincial governments, difficulty to cover social services. Besides there is a decline of rural communities, a weak position of the region at the federal level said Kareem El-Assal, a Senior Research Associate, in the Conference Board of Canada. Immigration solely, cannot provide a remedy, for all the demographic challenges of Atlantic Canada; but it plays a major role in the strategy to enhance the economic standing of the region he added
At present, the challenges of an aging population, reduced birth rate, and out-migration have resulted in weak population and less labor force. This has a great impact on the economic growth of Atlantic Canada. Simultaneously, there is an increase in the health care costs because of the aging population.
In 2016, the national average of the population for aged 65 years and above was 16.5%, but for Atlantic Canada, it was 19.5%. The Number of Deaths recorded, exceeded Number of births, in the Atlantic Provinces. There is a migration owing to advanced unemployment and low business investment.
At present, the Atlantic Provinces spend more per capita, on health care when compared to the national average. Labrador and Newfoundland are the highest spenders in the country.
The region is unable to attract more immigrants, and has least newcomer arrivals, amongst the provinces of Canada. The high unemployment rates and a tiny immigrant population make it unlikeable for newcomers, in comparison to other parts of the country. As per the 2011 Census, Nova Scotia had the major portion of the immigrant population, at 5.3% whereas the national proportion was 20.6%.
Still, the Atlantic Canada demonstrates sufficient strength to make it attractive for fresh and prospective immigrants. The immigrant unemployment rates and wage gaps are low in the region, and the wages paid are good. Immigrants of the region earn far more than those who have decided to leave.
The immigration levels at present are quite insufficient, to compensate for the number of baby boomers who will retire. For better results, the region must ensure that different categories of immigrants (and their spouses) get jobs in their preferred domains, and all the worries and concerns of the international students, are addressed clearly. Importantly there is a need to welcome communities and develop them.
The report titled Immigration to Atlantic Canada: Toward a Prosperous Future outlines the four areas where timely measures for immigration have to be taken to boost immigration:
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Raising awareness in public and in employers about benefits that accrue to the immigrants of the region;
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Promoting living in the region to prospective immigrants highlighting the reasons for settling here;
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Welcoming immigrants who can stay here in a big way;
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Prioritizing the challenges of temporary residents and ensuring their transition to PR
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