Quebec sees significant improvement in immigrant retention, while Atlantic Canada struggles with a drop in newcomer stay rates. Immigrant retention is key to economic growth in both regions.
Quebec Outpaces Atlantic Canada in Retaining Immigrants, New Report Shows
MONTREAL — A new report from Statistics Canada reveals that Quebec has made significant strides in retaining immigrants, with nearly 94% of newcomers who arrived in 2021 still living in the province a year later. This is a notable improvement from 2018, when retention rates were considerably lower. However, Atlantic Canada continues to face challenges, with several provinces in the region experiencing a decline in immigrant retention.
Quebec’s Success in Immigrant Retention
The recent Statistics Canada report highlights a positive trend for Quebec, showing that almost 94% of immigrants admitted in 2021 were still in the province one year later. This marks an increase of 8.8 percentage points compared to the 2018 cohort. The economic category of immigrants saw the most significant increase, reflecting the province’s efforts to select and retain skilled workers who contribute to its economic growth.
According to Catherine Xhardez, assistant professor of political science at Université de Montréal, Quebec’s success in retaining immigrants is largely due to the province’s ability to control its economic immigration stream. She emphasizes the importance of competition in keeping talented individuals in Quebec, particularly as other provinces, like Ontario, attract skilled workers.
“Quebec does not want to lose its best and brightest to Ontario or other provinces. If you invest in immigrants and select them carefully, you want them to stay,” Xhardez explained.
The Role of Job Opportunities and Social Programs
Historically, Quebec faced higher immigrant outflow due to its higher unemployment rate and fewer job opportunities compared to other regions. Today, the province’s unemployment rate stands at a much lower 5.7%, which, coupled with a range of social programs, has contributed to increased retention.
However, Xhardez cautions that recent political changes in Quebec, particularly the provincial government’s stance on immigration and its claims regarding threats to the French language, could affect these retention trends. The government’s recent decision to freeze several immigration programs could potentially drive immigrants to seek opportunities in other regions.
Immigrant Retention Rates in Other Provinces
While Quebec has seen improvement, other provinces also report high immigrant retention rates. Ontario leads the country with a 94.6% retention rate for immigrants admitted in 2021. British Columbia follows closely with 91.7%, while Alberta has a retention rate of 89.5%. These provinces have continued to offer ample job opportunities, robust cultural communities, and strong support networks, making them attractive options for newcomers.
Challenges in Atlantic Canada
In contrast to Quebec’s success, Atlantic Canada is struggling to retain immigrants. The region’s four provinces — Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick — have seen declines in one-year retention rates for immigrants who arrived in 2020. Newfoundland and Labrador recorded a dramatic 14.1 percentage point drop, while Nova Scotia saw an 11.7 percentage point decrease.
The report also highlights a troubling trend where immigrants who initially intended to settle in the Atlantic provinces are increasingly moving to Ontario for better opportunities. The primary reasons for this migration include a lack of meaningful employment opportunities, family ties, and limited community support in the smaller, more rural areas of Atlantic Canada.
Tony Fang, an economics professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, attributed these retention issues to the region’s limited employment prospects. He explained, “Lack of meaningful employment or perceived lack of it is the number one reason why immigrants don’t stay in the region.”
The Need for More Immigrants in Atlantic Canada
Despite the challenges, Fang argues that immigration remains crucial for the economic development of Atlantic Canada. The region has one of the oldest populations in the country, coupled with a significant labor shortage, especially in skilled labor. By welcoming more immigrants, Atlantic Canada could address these demographic challenges and stimulate growth.
Fang suggests that increasing the number of immigrants brought into the region at once — as Newfoundland and Labrador did with Ukrainian and Syrian refugees — could help integrate newcomers more effectively and ensure they remain in the region long-term.
Five-Year Retention Trends
When looking at five-year retention rates, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec once again show the highest levels of immigrant retention. For example, Ontario had a five-year retention rate of 93.5%, while British Columbia and Alberta had rates of 87.5% and 87.3%, respectively. Quebec saw a slightly lower rate of 79.7%.
On the other hand, Atlantic Canada’s five-year retention rates remained among the lowest in the country, with Nova Scotia retaining only 61.7% of immigrants who arrived in 2013. New Brunswick saw a modest increase in retention, while Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island struggled, with retention rates of just 45.6% and 25.7%, respectively, for those who arrived in 2017.
Addressing Retention Issues for Atlantic Canada
While Quebec has made significant progress in retaining its immigrant population, Atlantic Canada continues to face challenges in keeping newcomers in the region. The key to improving retention in Atlantic Canada lies in addressing employment opportunities, providing stronger community support, and fostering inclusive environments that make immigrants feel at home.
As the region grapples with its labor demographic issues, attracting and retaining immigrants will be critical to ensuring long-term economic stability and growth.
Quick Facts:
- Quebec has seen a 8.8% increase in immigrant retention from 2018 to 2021.
- Ontario leads Canada with a 94.6% retention rate for immigrants admitted in 2021.
- Atlantic Canada continues to struggle with declining immigrant retention rates, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.
- The region needs to improve employment opportunities and community support to retain immigrants.
