As more provinces join the pushback against mass immigration, New Brunswick has temporarily halted one of its immigration streams.
The province’s government announced it would pause the Strategic Initiative Stream, which focuses on attracting French-speaking foreign nationals.
As of November 28, 2024, the province has stopped accepting new expressions of interest and issuing invitations to apply for the program.
This decision comes as New Brunswick has reached around 2,000 nominations per year under the stream. However, applications and ITAs submitted before this date will still be processed.
“Effective November 28, 2024, the acceptance of new Expressions of Interest (EOIs), as well as the issuance of new Invitations to apply (ITAs) under the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative stream are paused for the remainder of the year, as our full allocation for 2024 has been reached,” a bulletin on the programs’s official website reads.
Recently Quebec also announced a temporary freeze on two major immigration programs: the Regular Skilled Workers Program and the Quebec Experience Program for recent graduates.
This moratorium, aimed at better regulating immigration, will last until June 30, 2025.
The freeze affects applications for Quebec Selection Certificates, which are necessary for permanent residency applications in Canada.
These changes reflect broader adjustments in immigration policy across both provinces, highlighting a shift towards more regulated and controlled immigration processes.
“A scenario for reducing permanent immigration will also be seriously studied by the government,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge at the time.
“Our objective is clear: we want to equip ourselves with the necessary means to better regulate immigration in Quebec.”
