Nova Scotia has temporarily stopped accepting applications from workers in the food and accommodation sector who are seeking immigration through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. This decision was made due to overwhelming demand for the program, which allows the province to nominate skilled workers to settle as permanent residents in Nova Scotia. In March 2023, the program received 460 applications, compared to 830 applications in March of the previous year. The province typically accepts 3,575 applications for the program each year, but the demand from the food service and accommodation sector has increased significantly in recent months.
Despite the positive impact of the nominee program, concerns have been raised by the Centre for Migrant Workers Rights Nova Scotia over the temporary hold on applications from the food and accommodation sector. Stacey Gomez, an advocate with the group, believes that this move will make it harder for migrants to obtain permanent residence, effectively “closing the door” for them. Migrant workers have raised concerns about the decreasing opportunities to access permanent residence in Nova Scotia. It is important for the province to consider the impact of this decision on migrant workers and find solutions to address their needs.
The provincial government has stated that while they are pleased with the success of the nominee program, they need to prioritize applications in other sectors as well. The intention is to ensure that there is space available for applications from health-care workers and construction workers who also rely on the program to obtain permanent residency in Nova Scotia. The province aims to strike a balance between meeting the demands of the labour market in various sectors and providing opportunities for skilled workers to settle in the province permanently. The timeline for lifting the pause on food and accommodation sector applications has not been determined yet.
Natasha Chestnut, from the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, has highlighted that as of the first quarter of 2024, approximately half of all applications received are related to the food service and accommodation sector. This indicates a significant increase in demand from this particular industry, prompting the need for a temporary hold on applications to assess the current backlog. The federal government accepts a set number of applications for the program each year, and the increased demand from the food service and accommodation sector has resulted in a need to manage the flow of applications effectively.
Overall, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program plays a crucial role in attracting skilled workers to settle in the province and contribute to its economic growth. While the temporary hold on applications from the food and accommodation sector may pose challenges for migrants seeking permanent residence, the province is working to address the concerns raised by advocacy groups and find a balanced approach to managing the demand for the program. It is essential for stakeholders to collaborate and find solutions that benefit both the labour market in Nova Scotia and migrant workers looking to make the province their permanent home. The province continues to monitor the situation and assess the impact of the pause on applications in the food and accommodation sector.
