Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (August 31, 2020) – Paul Dinn, PC Official Opposition Critic for Immigration, Skills and Labour and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, was not surprised with media reports yesterday that immigrant families are leaving the province.

Dinn says, “Reports yesterday indicate at least 10 Syrian families have left in the past two months, citing the lack of opportunities. Families also cite issues with having their job skills and qualifications recognized in NL. Unfortunately, this is a recurring theme. I have raised this issue numerous times, but to see it described as a ‘revolving door’ by the President of the Muslim Association of NL is disheartening.”

Dinn noted the Government commissioned Goss Gilroy to survey expatriate Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and identified many of the barriers to people wanting to stay in NL.

“Time is not on our side to address our population decline. Government reports and surveys have confirmed the need for long-term, meaningful employment. Immigration is only one part of the population equation but a common denominator is jobs,” says Dinn.

“We need to have greater discussions with immigrants and immigrant associations such as the Association of New Canadians to build welcoming communities and to expedite foreign qualification recognition to ensure there is a future for anyone calling Newfoundland and Labrador home,” concluded Dinn.

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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