Attracting more immigrants to N.L. focus of new federal agreement

A new agreement signed Thursday by the federal and provincial governments will emphasizeattracting more immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement is the first of its kind, according to a government newsrelease.

Advanced Education and Skills Minister Gerry Byrne and John McCallum, thefederal minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship,signed the agreement at the Association for New Canadians in St. John's.

It's meant to formalize and build on existing agreements between both levels on government on immigration issues, like the nominee program.

"We know that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ambitious immigration objectives and this historic agreement will play a key role in supporting those objectives," McCallumsaid in a statement.

The main objective of the agreement are:

• Maintaining and enhancing positive relationships between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador related to immigration levels planning, and strengthening respective roles in promotion, recruitment, selection and admission of immigrants and temporary residents;
• Responding to Newfoundland and Labrador's current and emerging social, demographic, economic development and labour market priorities;
• Supporting the successful social and economic integration and settlement of immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador, including addressing barriers to foreign qualification recognition;
• Supporting Canada's humanitarian objectives by collaborating on the resettlement of refugees;
• Supporting the integrity and effectiveness of immigration programs by collaborating on information sharing, research and evaluation.

In 2015, Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed more than1,100 new permanent residents a new record for the province.