The Maritimes have experienced unprecedented levels of immigration in the first quarter of 2024, marking a historic milestone in the region’s demographic landscape, according to Statistics Canada.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each welcomed 3,999 newcomers, while Prince Edward Island saw 1,330 new residents settling since January.
Statistics Canada attributes this surge in permanent immigration to the rising demand for skilled workers.
Kevin Silliker, director of economic development for the City of Moncton, highlighted the significant growth trend in the Greater Moncton Area over recent years.
“Our permanent resident numbers have increased by more than 162% since 2019,” Silliker noted. “We’ve welcomed over 5,000 new permanent residents just between consecutive summers, underscoring robust growth in our region. This influx bodes well for expanding our labor market, attracting new talent, fostering increased investment, and stimulating overall economic activity.”
While acknowledging the positive impact of population growth, Silliker also pointed out challenges associated with rapid expansion.
“Infrastructure and healthcare services are under strain, necessitating additional schools and adjustments to public transit,” he explained. “We’ve seen a remarkable surge in Codiac Transpo ridership, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with instances of buses reaching capacity and leaving individuals stranded at curbsides—a situation we hadn’t encountered before.”
To address these issues, Moncton is expanding its bus fleet and adjusting service frequencies to accommodate growing demand.
Silliker emphasized ongoing efforts to manage growth effectively, including the recent launch of an Urban Growth Strategy and upcoming updates to the municipal plan.
“While we anticipate a slight slowdown in immigration numbers for 2024, the trend remains stronger than in previous years and pre-pandemic levels,” Silliker projected.
Regarding temporary immigration, Statistics Canada reported a decrease at the start of the year in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, despite sustained high levels nationwide.
Canada’s overall population surpassed 41 million in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting continued demographic shifts and immigration patterns across the country.