Programs

Whether you’re looking for a long-term employee, temporary worker, or skilled tradesperson, this easy to use tool will lead you through the steps to making sure you are ready to hire international job seekers.

It includes many tips and links to local resources that can help you along the way.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at wren@westernren.ca.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program launched on January 1, 2022, building on the strengths of the Pilot Program, and retaining the core objective of attracting skilled immigrants to Atlantic Canada. It strives to address demographic and economic needs, as well as continuing to increase retention in the region.

Key requirements of the permanent program include:

All employers designated under the pilot will be required to be re-designated under the permanent program.

• • Under the permanent program, all designated employers are required to complete mandatory on-boarding training provided by the federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
  • Mandatory inter-cultural competency training will also be required for all employers, prior to endorsement, unless the employer is deemed by the province to be exempt from the training.

The Western REN is proud to have helped launch this pilot program in the region.  Now that the program is permanent, our provincial and federal partners have resources in place to help businesses navigate the program.

As a business owner, all Atlantic Immigration Program inquiries, as well as any other immigration program inquiries to help meet labour needs, including the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, shall be directed to the employer support team at immigration@novascotia.ca or by calling (902) 424-5230.

Nova Scotia Immigration is here to support you in navigating our innovative programs and services and to assist your organization’s recruitment efforts:

• Learn more about the criteria and application process of our Atlantic Immigration Pilot and our Provincial Nominee Program
• Discover which program may suit your organization’s needs using our Guide for Employers
• Help support your international recruitment efforts.

Additional details about the AIP program are available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html

If you are an immigrant who is already living in the region and have general immigration inquiries, please reach out to your MP’s office as they may be able to offer guidance:

• • Yarmouth & Digby Counties:

Office of Chris d’Entremont
Member of Parliament for West Nova
368 Main Street, Yarmouth, NS
Tel: (902) 742-6808  chris.dentremont@parl.gc.ca

• • Barrington:

Office of Rick Perkins
Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s
2447 Hwy 3 Barrington, NS, B0W 1E0
Tel: (902) 637-8611  rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca

If you are currently living outside of Canada and are interested in immigrating to Nova Scotia, please access the following general information:

• • Immigrating to Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html
  • Immigrating to Nova Scotia: https://novascotiaimmigration.com/

As always, the Western REN is happy to help connect you to the right resources for your business. If you have questions, please reach out to us at wren@westernren.ca or by phone at 902-881-3008