Connect with us

News

Can New Immigration Minister Save Atlantic Canada Immigrant Exodus?

Published

on

Atlantic Canada faces a persistent challenge: retaining immigrants.

Despite efforts to attract newcomers to provinces like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), and Newfoundland and Labrador, many leave within a few years, often for better opportunities elsewhere.

With Lena Metlege Diab, a Nova Scotia MP, appointed as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship in 2025, experts are urging her to prioritize strategies to boost retention rates in the region.

Economist Herb Emery, Vaughan Chair in Regional Economics at the University of New Brunswick, emphasizes that better economic opportunities, credential recognition, and innovative policies are key to keeping immigrants in Atlantic Canada.

This article explores the region’s retention struggles, the economic factors driving out-migration, and actionable solutions to make east coast of Canada a permanent home for newcomers.

The Retention Problem in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada’s immigrant retention rates lag behind the national average.

A Statistics Canada report highlights that immigrants intended for Atlantic provinces increasingly relocate to Ontario, drawn by stronger job markets and settlement support.

P.E.I. has the lowest retention rate in Canada, though recent data shows slight improvement.

Although, the province’s three-year retention rate rose from 33.3% in 2017 to 43% in 2021, according to P.E.I.’s population framework.

Still, these numbers reveal a troubling trend: many newcomers see Atlantic Canada as a temporary stop rather than a long-term home.

Why do immigrants leave?

The answer lies in the region’s economic structure.

Atlantic Canada has historically relied on immigration to fill immediate labour shortages, particularly in low-wage, seasonal industries like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.

These jobs, while critical, often lack the upward mobility or competitive salaries that professionals seek.

As Emery said, “When you look at the wages and median incomes of newcomers, they’re quite low in the region.

Without opportunities to earn a sustainable living, immigrants, especially those with advanced skills or education, seek better prospects in provinces like Ontario or Alberta.

Economic Challenges: Low Wages and Limited Opportunities

Atlantic Canada’s economy is heavily seasonal and labour-intensive, with industries that often operate on thin profit margins.

This structure limits the region’s ability to offer high-paying, stable jobs that appeal to skilled immigrants.

Emery notes that the region has prioritized filling low-wage roles that Canadians are less likely to take, such as entry-level positions in hospitality or agriculture.

While this addresses short-term labour needs, it fails to create a sustainable workforce for the future.

The region’s aging population and high youth out-migration exacerbate the problem.

Young residents often move to provinces like Alberta or Ontario for better career prospects, leaving Atlantic Canada reliant on immigrants to maintain its workforce.

However, without long-term career opportunities, immigrants follow suit, contributing to the region’s brain drain.

Emery explains, “If you want to be a professional after a couple of years, the opportunities to integrate are better in other provinces, where they have better resources for settlement.”

The Role of the New Immigration Minister

Lena Metlege Diab’s appointment as immigration minister offers hope for Atlantic Canada.

As a Nova Scotia native, she understands the region’s unique challenges.

Emery believes her regional roots could drive policies tailored to Atlantic Canada’s needs, particularly in addressing retention.

Diab’s role will involve balancing national immigration goals with regional priorities, ensuring that Atlantic Canada isn’t left behind in Canada’s broader economic strategy.

Solutions to Boost Retention

To reverse the trend of low retention, Atlantic Canada must adopt a multi-faceted approach.

Here are key strategies to make the region more attractive to immigrants:

Create High-Value Economic Opportunities

The most effective way to retain immigrants is to offer competitive wages and career growth.

Emery emphasizes, “You need to provide opportunities to earn a good living.”

This means investing in industries that offer stable, high-paying jobs, such as technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

By diversifying the economy beyond seasonal industries, Atlantic Canada can attract and retain professionals who might otherwise leave for urban centres

For example

Nova Scotia has seen growth in its tech sector, with companies like IBM and REDspace establishing a presence in Halifax.

Expanding these industries across the region could create a pipeline of high-skill jobs, appealing to both immigrants and local graduates.

Improve Credential Recognition

Many immigrants arrive with advanced education and professional experience but struggle to have their credentials recognized in Canada.

This forces skilled workers, such as doctors or engineers, into low-skill jobs, leading to frustration and out-migration.

Emery suggests prioritizing credential recognition programs to help immigrants work in their fields.

Streamlined processes, funding for bridging programs, and partnerships with professional associations could ensure newcomers can contribute their expertise to the region’s economy.
Support International Students

International students are a valuable resource for Atlantic Canada.

Universities like the University of New Brunswick, Dalhousie University, and Memorial University attract thousands of students annually, many of whom could stay if given the right incentives.

Emery advocates for policies to retain these graduates, such as post-graduation work permits tailored to regional needs or job placement programs.

By creating pathways to permanent residency and employment, Atlantic Canada can convert students into long-term residents.

Innovative Tax Incentives

Emery proposes creative tax policies to encourage long-term settlement.

For instance, offering tax credits to immigrants who remain in Atlantic Canada for five or more years could incentivize staying.

News

Bosso replaces Danjuma as Imo Police Command CP

Published

on

The Imo State Police Command, Owerri, has a new Police Commissioner in the person of Audu Garba Bosso, who replaced Aboki Danjuma, the outgoing Police Commissioner. Danjuma was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and posted to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Upon assumption of duty, CP Bosso called on sister security agencies, stakeholders, and all residents to collaborate with the police in tackling crime and social vices.

He stressed that community-based policing, intelligence-led operations, and a people-friendly approach will guide his administration, with strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In a brief biography made available to journalists by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, it was revealed that CP Bosso was born on December 31, 1967, in Bosso, Niger State.

He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on June 10, 1994, as a Cadet ASP, Course 18/1994.

Revealing his academic history, Okoye stated that CP Bosso holds an NCE in Geography/Biology, a B.Sc.Ed in Biology, and an M.Sc in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is also a member of the National Institute of Policing Studies (MNIPS).

In the course of his career, he has attended key professional courses, including PMF Mobile Training School, Citizenship and Leadership Course, Community Policing Course, TLCC, and SLCC, which have shaped his strategic and community-oriented policing philosophy.

The command’s spokesperson added that before his recent deployment to Imo State, CP Bosso served as DPO in over twenty-two divisions nationwide across Sokoto and Kwara State Commands, including Bale Gudu, Dange-Shuni, Wamako, and Kebbe Divisions in Sokoto State, as well as ‘B’ Division, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State Command, among others.

“He also held strategic appointments across several state commands, which include: CSP Administration, Kwara State Command; 2i/c Ilorin Metro Area Command, Kwara; 2i/c CID, Katsina State Command; AC Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Area Commander, Saki, Oyo State Command; Area Commander, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State Command; ACP Administration, Enugu State Command; Area Commander, Iyekogba, Edo State Command; Director CPTU, Police Service Commission, Jos; Director Finance & Administration, POLAC Wudil, Kano State; DCP G.I FCID Annex, Gombe State; DCP Operations, Borno State Command; and CP G.I FCID Annex, Kaduna State, before his posting to Imo State,” Okoye stated.

The new Commissioner has called on all Imo residents to actively partner with the Police and other security agencies through timely information sharing and participation in community policing initiatives, assuring the public of his commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining peace, and fostering a people-friendly policing culture across the state.

Continue Reading

News

After Bitten To De@th By Snake, Another Snake Reportedly Found Under Ambulance Carrying Nanyah’s Remains Back Home

Published

on

A London-based teacher and culture ambassador, Uche Nworah, has shared a shocking incident that reportedly occurred while the remains of late singer Ifunanya Nwangene popularly known as Nanyah, were being transported to Enugu.

Nworah, who claims to have been Facebook friends with Ifunanya’s uncle for years, revealed details he says were shared directly by her uncle during a phone conversation.

Contrary to earlier reports circulating on social media, Nworah clarified that Ifunanya did not reside on the ground floor of her Abuja apartment but on the second floor.

This, he noted, raises questions about how snakes could have accessed her living space, as ground-floor access via drains or toilets would not apply.

According to Nworah, the ambulance carrying Ifunanya’s body broke down while en route to Enugu, in line with her father’s wishes.

The breakdown caused a delay as a replacement vehicle had to be called to continue the transport.

While waiting for the replacement ambulance, a snake was reportedly found under the broken-down vehicle.

Sharing the uncle’s account on Facebook, Nworah wrote:

“…Beyond social media claims, I received a call from Ifunanya’s uncle, who has been my Facebook friend for many years. During our conversation, he made disclosures that some may consider disturbing, while others may view them as mere coincidences.

He stated that contrary to widespread reports on social media, Ifunanya did not live on the ground floor of her residence but on the second floor. This raises questions about how snakes could have gained access to her apartment. Had she lived on the ground floor, one might argue that the snakes entered through drainage systems or toilets, but this explanation appears less straightforward given that she lived on the second floor.

He further recounted a strange incident that occurred while her body was being transported to Enugu State in an ambulance, in accordance with her father’s wishes. According to him, the ambulance conveying her remains broke down along the Abuja Expressway, necessitating calling for a replacement vehicle. During the wait he said, a snake was discovered beneath the broken-down ambulance and was subsequently killed.

While these incidents may be entirely unrelated and purely coincidental, they nonetheless raise questions and leave room for reflection.”

The revelation has sparked discussion online, with many questioning the unusual events surrounding the singer’s death.

See below;

Screenshot

Continue Reading

News

FMINO PRESS RELEASE: CAC AT 35 YEARS HAS BECOME A PILLAR OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC CREDIBILITY – INFORMATION MINISTER

Published

on

 

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, institutional reform, and ease of doing business, describing effective inter-agency collaboration as critical to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister made this known while receiving the Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, who led the delegation of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Ministry ahead of the Commission’s 35th anniversary celebration (CAC@35).

Idris commended the Corporate Affairs Commission for what he described as remarkable institutional reforms that have repositioned the Commission as “a key driver of Nigeria’s business environment and economic credibility.” He noted that CAC’s transformation, particularly through technology and digitisation, aligns strongly with the Federal Government’s broader reform agenda.

The Minister praised CAC’s role in improving the ease of doing business, strengthening corporate governance, and enhancing investor confidence, stressing that such reforms are vital to national development. He also acknowledged the Commission’s contribution to Nigeria’s recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a major milestone that reflects growing global confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory and transparency frameworks.

According to him, the progress recorded under the Tinubu administration, including rising foreign reserves, easing inflation, improved investor confidence, and economic stabilisation, cannot be fully told without recognising the role of reform-driven institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The Minister further encouraged CAC to intensify public engagement and advocacy to ensure Nigerians are fully informed about the Commission’s innovations, services, and achievements. He assured the Commission of the Ministry’s support in amplifying its reforms and programmes through strategic communication and public enlightenment.

Earlier, the Registrar-General of CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, said the courtesy visit was to formally invite the Honourable Minister to the Commission’s 35th anniversary celebration and to present a scorecard of reforms achieved under the current administration.

He explained that CAC has transitioned from a largely manual, location-bound registry to a fully digital, technology-driven institution, with services now accessible in real time from anywhere in the country. He disclosed that the Commission has expanded its digital offerings from 33 services to over 100 online services, deployed artificial intelligence for business name reservation and registration, and introduced Application Programming Interface (API) services to support banks, embassies, security agencies, and other institutions.

The Registrar-General highlighted the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, noting that it has strengthened transparency, boosted investor confidence, and positioned Nigeria as a global reference point for corporate disclosure. He added that CAC’s reforms have helped bring over four million informal businesses into the tax net, improved security by registering POS operators, and supported small and medium-scale enterprises through free business registrations in partnership with relevant agencies.

He also announced the Commission’s upcoming partnership with Google to further strengthen its digital infrastructure and service delivery, as well as the launch of an AI-powered public support platform to guide users on corporate and regulatory matters.
He thanked the Honourable Minister for the warm reception and support, and formally invited him to the CAC@35 anniversary celebration scheduled for February 9, 2026.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of Information and National Orientation, Mr Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Director National Archives, Dr. Evelyn Odigboh, Director Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Haruna Suleiman, and the Special Assistant, Administration to the Honourable Minister, Dr. Sunday Baba, fnipr.

Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

 

Continue Reading

Trending