The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Project (NBCWP) is a five-year immigration initiative by the provincial government of New Brunswick in collaboration with the federal government to address critical labour shortages in various sectors across the province. The program is employer-driven, meaning candidates cannot apply directly; applications must be submitted through one of the six participating employers. It operates under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and focuses on attracting and retaining skilled foreign workers by offering pathways to permanent residency (PR) and robust settlement support.
Key Features
Objective: Fills labour gaps in industries such as manufacturing, fisheries, food production, forestry, farming, and healthcare, while supporting newcomer retention through settlement services.
Duration: A five-year pilot (2022–2027), subject to regular monitoring and evaluation, with the potential to become permanent or be discontinued.
Employer-Driven: Only six selected employers participate, chosen for their strong track record in the NBPNP, effective immigrant hiring practices, and ability to provide settlement services.
Settlement Support: Employers must offer comprehensive settlement plans, including housing, transportation, up to 200 hours of language training (if needed), and support for obtaining Canadian secondary education equivalency.
PR Pathway: Successful candidates can apply for permanent residency through the NBPNP after meeting eligibility criteria.
Participating Employers
The six employers selected for the NBCWP are:
Cooke Aquaculture Inc.: Specializes in aquaculture (fish farming).
Groupe Savoie Inc.: Operates in the wood industry (hardwood processing).
Groupe Westco: A major poultry farming enterprise.
Imperial Manufacturing Group (IMG): Produces air distribution and building products for HVAC and construction industries.
J.D. Irving Ltd.: A diversified corporation with operations in agriculture, construction, shipbuilding, retail, and forestry.
McCain Foods Ltd.: The world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, with additional operations in potato farming and transportation.
These employers were chosen based on their experience with immigration programs (at least three years), compliance with employment standards, and commitment to newcomer integration.
Eligibility Criteria for Candidates
To be eligible for the NBCWP, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Age: Between 19 and 55 years at the time of submitting a complete application after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Job Offer: A genuine, full-time (non-seasonal), permanent employment offer from one of the six participating employers, with a competitive wage comparable to similar roles in New Brunswick.
Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or NCLC level 4 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening). If language test results are unavailable at the time of application, the employer must submit a signed attestation letter.
Education: A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Work Experience: At least one year of relevant work experience.
Settlement Intent: Intention to reside in New Brunswick.
PR Readiness: Candidates must have all necessary documents prepared for a complete and accurate application to both provincial and federal governments.
Application Process
The NBCWP application process is managed through the participating employer and involves the following steps:
Secure a Job Offer: Obtain a full-time, permanent job offer from one of the six participating employers.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Create a candidate profile and submit an EOI through the Immigration New Brunswick (INB) Portal. Eligible candidates are placed in a pool for selection.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected based on labour market needs and immigration allocations, candidates receive an ITA via their INB account. The complete application must be submitted within 45 days.
Submit Application to Government of New Brunswick (GNB): Upload all required documents, including the Employer Information Form (NBCWP-004) signed by both the candidate and employer. Pay a non-refundable processing fee of CAD 250 (covers spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children).
Provide Additional Information (if requested): GNB may request further documentation or conduct an interview to verify application details.
Receive Nomination: If approved, GNB issues a nomination certificate and a work permit support letter (no Labour Market Impact Assessment required).
Apply for Permanent Residency: Submit a PR application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before the nomination certificate expires. IRCC makes the final decision.
Land in New Brunswick: Upon PR approval, candidates must arrive in New Brunswick within 30 days and report to GNB.
Employer Requirements
Participating employers must:
Have at least three years of experience with provincial and federal immigration programs.
Comply with provincial and federal employment standards and occupational health and safety regulations, especially for Temporary Foreign Workers.
Have participated in an international recruitment mission with Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) within the past two years.
Maintain a one-year newcomer retention rate of at least 85% annually, aligning with New Brunswick’s Population Growth Strategy.
Develop and maintain robust settlement plans, collaborating with local settlement agencies.
Complete a Human Resource Support Services (HRSS) assessment or provide a written human resource strategy.
Pay a federal compliance fee and submit an employment offer form via the IRCC Employer Portal before the candidate applies for a work permit.
For business expansion, generate an average of CAD 500,000 in gross yearly revenue over the past two years and employ at least three full-time Canadian PRs or citizens in New Brunswick.
Key Sectors and Positions
While the NBCWP does not specify occupations, it targets roles in high-demand sectors. Examples of positions hired by participating employers include:
Cooke Aquaculture: Roles in fish farming and processing.
Groupe Savoie: Hardwood processing and manufacturing.
Groupe Westco: Poultry farming and sustainable power generation.
Imperial Manufacturing: HVAC product manufacturing, including flexible ducting and steel studs.
J.D. Irving: Positions in agriculture, construction, shipbuilding, retail, and forestry.
McCain Foods: Roles in frozen food production, potato farming, and transportation.
Specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes targeted include:
Technology: Computer engineers, software engineers, web designers, network technicians, user support technicians, and information systems testing technicians.
Healthcare: Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, home support workers, and housekeepers.
Candidates not falling under targeted NOC codes may be directed to the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Program Benefits
For Candidates:
Fast-track pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
Stable, full-time employment with reputable employers.
Comprehensive settlement support, including housing, transportation, and language training.
Opportunity to build a long-term future in New Brunswick, a welcoming province.
For Employers:
Access to a pool of skilled international workers to fill critical vacancies.
Streamlined immigration processes with provincial support.
Enhanced retention through structured settlement programs.
