N.S. to see ‘significant’ increase to immigration program after recent cuts, says minister

Nova ScotiaOttawa is reversing course on a decision to reduce the number of immigrants Nova Scotia and other provinces can bring in to address labour needs, according to the federal minister of immigration. Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab says province asked for cuts to be reversedJosh Hoffman · CBC News · Posted: Oct 16, 2025 3:49 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoLena Diab, the federal minister of immigration, did not say how many spots would be added to Nova Scotia’s nominee program. (Paul Poirier/CBC)Ottawa is reversing course on a decision to reduce the number of immigrants Nova Scotia and other provinces can bring in to address labour needs, according to the federal minister of immigration. Lena Diab told a news conference Thursday in Halifax the federal government will increase the number of spots allocated in Nova Scotia’s provincial nominee program. Diab met with her provincial counterparts this week who all asked for more immigrants to be allowed through the program after the federal government reduced the number earlier this year. “I can tell you Nova Scotia’s getting a significant amount [more],” she said Thursday.Provincial nominee programs offer newcomers with specific skills, education and work experience a pathway to permanent residency.The allocation for Nova Scotia’s nominee program was reduced to 1,785 people from 3,570 in January.At that time, Construction Association of Nova Scotia CEO Duncan Williams called the decision “short-sighted” and “irresponsible.”Diab did not say how many spots will be added back to Nova Scotia’s program. There are agreements in place with each province to increase the number of immigrants allowed to enter through the programs. “They all asked for it,” she said. Manitoba announced last week that it had received an increase of roughly 1,500 nominations to its provincial program after having the number reduced by approximately 50 per cent earlier in the year. Other provinces such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Alberta have reached deals to increase the nominations allocated in their provincial programs.CBC News has requested an interview with Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Nolan Young. MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORJosh Hoffman is a reporter for CBC Nova Scotia. Josh worked as a local radio reporter all over Canada before moving to Nova Scotia in 2018.