The NBCWP, i.e., New Brunswick Critical Worker Program, has generated significant interest among skilled immigrants seeking a pathway to Canadian immigration. As a result, almost 10% of the PNP candidates in New Brunswick are invited to immigrate and settle in Canada. 

The Critical Worker Program is a joint effort between the New Brunswick federal and provincial governments. The aim is to attract newcomers who can fill in the gaps in the regional labor force. 

 

Moreover, it is an employer-driven stream of NB PNP, i.e., the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, wherein six employers participate throughout the province. The industries and sectors include as follows: 

  • McCain Foods
  • Groupe Savoie Inc
  • Imperial Manufacturing
  • Cooke Aquaculture Inc 
  • Groupe Westco 
  • JD Irving Ltd 

 

When the program was declared, the New Brunswick government asserted that specific employers were selected because they had a remarkable history of recruitment practices. Moreover, they already had the required settlement programs in place, which is why they were chosen.

 

How is CWP Different From Other Programs? 

While the program focuses on economic newcomers through NB PNP, eligible applicants receive extra settlement support. In addition, to ensure that candidates receive this support, participating employers, must prove that they can offer: 

  • Excellent settlement and residential plans for transportation as well as housing. In addition, the employers must also prove that they can help the candidates successfully settle into their jobs.  
  • Extensive human resource planning to recruit and hire skilled foreign applicants. 
  • Up to 200 hours of language training to applicants. 
  • Guidance & support to candidates who may wish to pursue their secondary education in Canada.

 

PNP Candidates in New Brunswick  : Who Can Apply? 

Applicants in the program must have a valid job offer from an eligible employer if they wish to be nominated. In addition, applicants must also have a job offer in hand if they want to reside in the province. 

The job offer must have a wage competitive with the New Brunswick average wages. Moreover, the government asserts that the wages stated on the employment offer must: 

  • Be comparable to the salaries paid to the employees with the same experience level & training. 
  • Be regular with the wage compensation structure of the employer. 

 

It is vital to note that applicants in the program can participate and apply directly to one of the program employers.   

 

How Big Is The Issue? 

The CWP program allocates up to 10% of PNP candidates in New Brunswick. A spokesperson from the ONB, i.e., Opportunities New Brunswick, asserted that the numbers and percentage are increasing and reaching up to 300 nominees. In addition, their families are also supported through this program. 

ONB further said that the program is new and the government is still monitoring the outcomes. 

Thus, for now, it doesn’t seem the program will include any more employers. ONB further says that the pilot program remains limited in its scope and isn’t presently open for any broader participation! 

 

Immigration In New Brunswick

ONB is optimistic about the fact that the program will continue to attract newcomers to settle in the province. 

ONB said that the province had piloted immigration streams, like AIPP, i.e., Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, NB Strategic Initiative Stream, etc., successfully. Like the previous programs, the CWP is another opportunity to execute innovative approaches for Canadian immigration. In addition, the program will monitor the outcomes, thus allowing the government to make adjustments along the way and learn and expand in the forthcoming years. 

The population is currently increasing in the province. Recent data from the CREA, i.e., Canadian Real Estate Association, shows that the immigration process added almost 4,219 people to the population in 2022’s fourth quarter. 

Additionally, in April, New Brunswick declared that it had received over 67% of the increase in immigration from the federal government. This implies that the province has 5,500 seats allocated for immigration programs in 2023 under the Atlantic Immigration Program & NB PNP.