Nova Scotia to fast track 300 immigrants who qualify under 'express entry'

Nova Scotia will be able to fast track an additional 300 immigrants who qualify under so called "express entry" streams aimed at highly skilled immigrants.

Premier Stephen McNeil andImmigration Minister Lena Diab announced Wednesday that Ottawa has agreed to the additional nominees.

It allows the province to put forward more names for fast track approval.

• Nova Scotia announces new immigration advisory council

• Diana Whalen asks Ottawa to open door to Syrian refugees

• Stephen McNeil backs immigration increase

The federal decision will also allow Nova Scotia to nominate a total of 1,350 immigrants in 2015 under the provincial nominee program that's nearly double the 700 previously allowed.

"We pushed the federal government hard for this increase and they responded after they saw our proactive approach," McNeil said in a news release.

The province's Office of Immigrationcreated itsfirst express stream programonJan. 1and the second in May. Both streams are aimed at highly-skilled immigrants.

Does not affect Syrian refugees

Nova Scotia was the first province to launch two new express entry streams.Diab said the federal government's decision to bump the number of nominees isunusual.

"To myknowledge,there hasnever been an enhanced allocation in the middle of the year," she said.

The announcement has no bearing on Nova Scotia'soffer to Ottawa to accept more Syrianrefugees. The province isstillwaitingfor thefederal governmentto decide what it will doaboutthe refugee crisis.

Earlier this week, the Office of Immigration organized a roundtable with Nova Scotia's private refugee sponsorship agreement holders and other key stakeholders.

Immigration facts

The Nova Scotia government released these factson immigration Wednesday.

• More immigrants came to Nova Scotia last year than at any time in the last 10 yearswith 2,670 newcomers settling in the province.
• More immigrants are also staying, with Statistics Canada reporting a retention rate of 71 per cent for immigrants that landed in Nova Scotia between 2007 and 2011.
• The new express entrystreams are aimed by highly-skilled applicants such ascandidates already living in Nova Scotia and contributing to the economy, like international graduates.
• The Office of Immigration deliverssettlement services across the province with the support of the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, the YMCA and other key partners.