The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills:

Mr. Speaker, we support population growth by attracting and retaining newcomers to live, work and belong in our communities, and ensuring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have the skills and supports they need to live and work here.

Population growth is essential in our province, Mr. Speaker, and our staff was especially heartened by the strong endorsement of our mandate by members of the Official Opposition and the Third Party during our budget estimates.

Budget 2021 has us well positioned to welcome 5,100 newcomers a year by 2026, with over $3 million available to help match employers with newcomers to address emerging gaps in our labour market and support population growth. While working to welcome people here in record numbers, we will also ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have the skills and supports they need, with $230 million for training, apprenticeships, youth employment and career development.

Mr. Speaker, we launched the innovative Priority Skills immigration program in response to a growing demand for highly educated, highly skilled workers. This program seeks newcomers with specialized education and experience in areas such as technology, ocean sciences and health, where demand has outpaced local training and recruitment. Since the Priority Skills launch in January, we received some 12,000 submissions from experienced professionals, including Memorial University graduates.

I am pleased to inform the House, that the health sector has reviewed more than 2,000 applications and identified 385 people they would like to invite to apply for permanent residency. As I speak, our staff are working with these potential newcomers to get them on the path to becoming part of the Newfoundland and Labrador family.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing further updates on more job-matching success stories as we continue to review Priority Skills applications for other in-demand sectors, such as technology and aquaculture, and welcoming more newcomers to their new home, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.