As New Brunswick’s population continues to dwindle, there’s a success story of sorts in Saint John.
Newcomer families in greater Saint John welcomed 25 babies last year, up from 12 babies born to YMCA Newcomer Connections clients in 2016.
Shilo Boucher, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John, tells us the families are helping to grow and diversify Saint John and New Brunswick.
“I think it just shows that they believe in us, so our newcomers want to settle here,” says Boucher, “and I think it shows too that Saint John and New Brunswick are really welcoming our newcomers and helping them settle.”
Among the programs being offered, Boucher says newcomer parents are learning how to install car seats — something they didn’t have to learn before.
The Saint John Regional Hospital has even created a new menu with halal options.
One of their main focuses, Boucher says, is making sure youth have the support they need.
“Because we know if the children are happy, the parents are going to be happy and more likely to stay,” she says.
Boucher says most families who settle in Saint John are staying here, and they’re working hard with partners to keep them here.
The newcomers are from all over the world, including Congo, Somalia and Syria.
