Immigration Minister Sarah Stoodley blames N.L. population decline on federal government
Newfoundland and Labrador's population dropped for the first time in 15 quarters in 2024 despite its record-high immigration numbers.
Statistics Canada reports that as of Jan. 1, Newfoundland and Labrador's population had decreased by 0.1 per cent, a loss of 301 people. The province's population currently stands at 545,579, compared to 545,880 on Oct. 1, 2024.
Immigration and Population Growth Minister Sarah Stoodley said Canada's changing immigration policies are the primary reason for the decline, despite 5,808 new immigrants moving into the province in 2024.
"I think the confidence level of immigrating to Canada is changing," Stoodley said.
In January, the federal government attempted to slash Newfoundland and Labrador's economic immigration allocations in half.
The province was allocated 2,100 spaces under the Provincial Nominee Program and 950 spots under the Atlantic Immigration Program, totalling 3,050 economic immigration spaces.
Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller told Stoodley they would cut that number, leaving the province with 1,525 spaces.
"I'm just gobsmacked, and my team are devastated," Stoodley told Radio-Canada in January.
Days later, the federal government partially reversed the decision. Miller offered to increase the number of newcomer spots with an additional 1,000 spaces, for a total of 2,525 newcomers per year — a number that still falls short of the previous 3,050 spaces.
"We're not whole, but 83 per cent is certainly better than 50 per cent. So we are very pleased with this. I think this is the best we can do," Stoodley told reporters on Jan. 31.
Canada is cutting the projected number of new permanent residents the country takes in, from 485,000 this year to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
WATCH | Sarah Stoodley believes immigrants feel less confident coming to Canada:
Despite record immigration, N.L.'s population is on the decline
32 minutes ago
Duration 1:28
Minister of Immigration Sarah Stoodley says Newfoundland and Labrador can't afford a population decline. She believes the latest numbers from Statistics Canada are a direct result of Ottawa's change in federal immigration policies.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Stoodley says immigrants are necessary for the province's long-term economic sustainability.
"Our economic prosperity relies on economic immigration," Stoodley said in January. "We need teachers, we need early childhood educators, we need residential construction workers. We don't have enough of them here. We need to go elsewhere looking for them, and we need them [for] the future of our province."
With Prime Minister Mark Carney expected to call a federal election on Sunday, Stoodley said she looks forward to working with Canada's next immigration minister.
"We can't afford a population decline.... We need to turn it around," she said. "Hopefully, after the next election and working with the new federal immigration minister or maybe the same one, we can get some more numbers up."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Rise of the middle powers. Here's how Canada can wean itself off of U.S. dependence
As leaders of the G7 countries prepare to meet in Kananaskis next week, middle power nations, such as Canada, need to step up and take on leadership roles in restructuring the global economy, shoring up democratic practices internationally and investing in talent to boost productivity and innovation at home. Statistics Canada recently reported that Canada's trade with America had decreased six per cent, largely attributed to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
Trump deploying California National Guard over governor's objections to LA to quell protests
Police detain a man during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles, Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) PARAMOUNT, Calif. — U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops despite the governor's objections to Los Angeles over where protests Saturday led to clashes between immigration authorities and demonstrators. The White House said in a statement Saturday that Trump was deploying the Guardsmen to 'address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester' in California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, objected to the move and said in a post on X that the move from the Republican president was 'purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.' THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. Tear gas and smoke filled the air on the southern outskirts of Los Angeles on Saturday as confrontations between immigration authorities and demonstrators extended into a second day, and President Trump warned that the federal government may 'step in and solve the problem.' Gov. Gain Newsom said the federal government was 'moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers' and warned that it would only escalate tensions. Additional details were not immediately available. 'This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust,' Newsom said. deployment. Local authorities 'are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment's notice,' the governor also said, and 'there is currently no unmet need.' On his Truth Social platform, Trump said: 'the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved' if Newsom and the Los Angeles mayor 'can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't.' Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside an industrial park in the city of Paramount, deploying tear gas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street. Some jeered at officers while recording the events on smartphones. 'ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are,' a woman said through a megaphone. 'You are not welcome here.' One handheld sign read, 'No Human Being is Illegal.' Smoke rose from burning shrubbery and refuse in the street, and demonstrators kicked at a Border Patrol vehicle. A boulevard was closed to traffic as Border Patrol agents circulated through a community where more than 80% of residents identify themselves as Latino. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a message on social media addressing 'LA rioters' and warning that interference with immigration enforcement will not be tolerated. 'You will not stop us or slow us down,' Noem said on the X platform. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 'will enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple locations Friday, including outside a clothing warehouse in the fashion district. The action came after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office. A tense scene unfolded outside as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away. Advocates for immigrants' rights said there were also migration detentions outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop. DHS said in a statement that recent ICE operations in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of 118 immigrants, including five people linked to criminal organizations and people with prior criminal histories. Following the Friday arrests, protesters gathered in the evening outside a federal detention center, chanting, 'Set them free, let them stay!' Some held signs with anti-ICE slogans, and some some scrawled graffiti on the building. Among those arrested at the protests was David Huerta, regional president of the Service Employees International Union. Justice Department spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy confirmed that he was being held Saturday at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled Monday court appearance. It was not clear whether Huerta had legal representation. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for his immediate release. In a social media post, he cited a 'disturbing pattern of arresting and detaining American citizens for exercising their right to free speech.' The immigration arrests come as President Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfill promises of mass deportations across the country. Mayor Karen Bass said the activity was meant to 'sow terror' in the nation's second-largest city. In a statement Saturday, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city's response to the protests. 'Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,' Lyons said. 'Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.'
CBC
9 hours ago
- CBC
U.S. immigration authorities extend raid activity in Los Angeles area amid protests
U.S. immigration authorities extended activity in the Los Angeles area on Saturday in the wake of protests at a federal detention facility and a police response that included tear gas, flash-bangs and the arrest of a union leader. Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside an industrial park in the city of Paramount, Calif., deploying tear gas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street, some jeering at authorities while recording the events on smartphones. "ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are," a woman announced through a megaphone, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "You are not welcome here." One hand-held sign said, "No Human Being Is Illegal." The boulevard was closed to traffic as U.S. Border Patrol circulated through the area. ICE representatives did not respond immediately to email inquiries about weekend enforcement activities." Arrests by immigration authorities in Los Angeles come as U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfil promises to carry out mass deportations across the country. On Friday, ICE officers arrested more than 40 people as they executed search warrants at multiple locations, including outside a clothing warehouse, where a tense scene unfolded as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the activity was meant to "sow terror" in the nation's second-largest city. In a statement on Saturday, ICE acting director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city's response to protests. "Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement," Lyons said in a statement. "Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens." Protesters gathered Friday evening outside a federal detention centre in Los Angeles, where lawyers said those arrested had been taken, chanting "set them free, let them stay!" Other protesters held signs that said "ICE out of LA!" and led chants and shouted from megaphones. Some scrawled graffiti on the building facade. Federal agents executed search warrants at three locations, including a warehouse in the fashion district of Los Angeles, after a judge found there was probable cause the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
