N.B. to seek exemption on federal immigration targets, minister says

New Brunswick will look to negotiate an exemption to federal immigration targets, according to its intergovernmental affairs minister, as it looks to attract more newcomers from Africa. 

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Claude D'Amours, who is also the minister responsible for immigration, unveiled a plan Thursday to increase the number of francophone immigrants from six African countries over the next five years. 

That plan specifically calls for more students and workers from Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon, Senegal and Tunisia. 

That's despite the federal Liberals aiming to reduce the number of temporary workers and international students, and slow admissions for permanent residents.

Ottawa said in January it would cut allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program in half.

On Thursday D'Amours said he will seek an exemption to Ottawa's plan as soon as the new federal cabinet is sworn in. 

WATCH | 'Africa and N.B. have more in common than we can imagine,' minister says

Province aims to boost trade, immigration with francophone Africa

17 hours ago

Duration 0:54

New Brunswick has unveiled a strategy targeting six francophone African countries for trade, education and labour partnerships.

D'Amours said the "one-size-fits-all" approach to immigration from Ottawa won't work in New Brunswick.

"I do understand in some provinces the reality is different, but in New Brunswick, we will be in need of more than 133,000 people within the next 10 years," he said.

"So our reality is maybe different."

But the minister also noted New Brunswick could benefit from Prime Minister Mark Carney's campaign promise to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec by 12 per cent.

"I think we will be able to convince the federal government, hopefully, to make sure that we will be receiving an exception," D'Amours said. 

"Today we talk about the francophone countries. So as the only bilingual province in the country, we have a beautiful opportunity to convince the federal government." 

Need to diversify trade

The francophone Africa strategy issued Thursday extends beyond immigration into trade.

D'Amours said ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump makes the strategy all the more important. 

"We have to modify our way of doing business," the minister said. "We have focused too much on the American, and I'm not saying we will stop, but the reality is we need to look elsewhere in the world."

The plan says the six African countries were selected because of existing relationships with New Brunswick — several already have bilateral agreements with the province.