When we looked at the percentage of overall immigrants coming to New Brunswick through the family-class streams, it was roughly 10% in 2014. Contrast that to 25% of overall immigration to Canada. Proportionally, a smaller percentage of our overall immigration in New Brunswick is coming through family class and yet it performs better in overall retention. I'm not sure how to reconcile that from a policy standpoint. I think perhaps we need to look at ensuring there are no limitations on those immigrant families in our province who are looking to bring their extended family or their immediate family to join them in New Brunswick. I think that certainly the quota system does impact those living in our province whose applications may be denied or who are experiencing prolonged delays because of the quotas. Again, 10% of overall immigration to New Brunswick in 2014 was through family class, 25% across the country, and yet retention rates are 25% better through family class than economic streams. I don't know how to reconcile that from a policy standpoint. I think there is some work to do around this Atlantic immigration pilot and how we build in family reunification and support that work for newcomers who are coming through that pilot so we achieve better overall retention and population growth in the Atlantic.
On October 25th, 2016. See this statement in context.