Quebec Retains More Immigrants While Atlantic Canada Faces Declining Retention Rates

Statistics Canada reports show Quebec’s retention of newcomers has improved significantly, but Atlantic Canada struggles with employment and community integration challenges.

• Quebec retained 94% of immigrants admitted in 2021 after one year, an 8.8 percentage point increase compared to 2018 newcomers, driven largely by economic immigrants.
• Atlantic Canada saw sharp declines in one-year retention rates for immigrants admitted in 2020, with Newfoundland and Labrador experiencing the steepest drop of 14.1 percentage points.
• Five-year retention rates for immigrants admitted between 2013 and 2017 were highest in Ontario (93.5%), British Columbia (87.5%), Alberta (87.3%), and Quebec (79.7%).
• Key factors for Atlantic Canada’s low retention include limited job opportunities, lack of cultural and community support, and challenges integrating into smaller, close-knit communities.
• Experts emphasize the need for Atlantic provinces to improve employment prospects, expand community support, and consider larger-scale immigration to address severe labor shortages and aging populations.

3 Articles

CBC The Globe and Mail Global News