If you’ve been following the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce over the past year, you know how strongly we believe in the critical role immigration plays in our region’s economic development, growth, and long-term prosperity.
Quite simply, without increased immigration, we will struggle to grow. We will struggle to sustain essential services. And we will struggle to build the workforce our economy depends on.
It is that foundational.
That’s why we continue to advocate alongside the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, and our New Brunswick Urban Chamber partners—the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce—to highlight the urgency of this issue. This includes calling for an Atlantic carve-out and addressing the very real challenges created by current federal immigration policies and IRCC decisions that are impacting our region’s ability to grow.
There is important work happening at both the national and regional levels to push this conversation forward, and we encourage businesses and community members to stay informed and engaged.
Recently, I had the opportunity to join a roundtable of community leaders with Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency to discuss Saint John’s Regional Immigration Strategy, Pathways to Belonging.
What stood out most is that this strategy is grounded in the lived experiences of newcomers themselves. It reflects what they have told us—where barriers exist, where we as a community are falling short, and where we must do better.
Because attraction is only part of the story.
Retention is our real challenge.
Today, only six out of ten newcomers remain in the Saint John Region after five years. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a clear signal that while we may be succeeding in bringing people here, we are not doing enough to ensure they stay, thrive, and build their lives in our community.
This raises an important question for all of us:
How are we welcoming newcomers into our workplaces, our communities, and our daily lives?
How are we supporting their growth and ambitions?
How are we creating environments where people feel a true sense of belonging?
This goes beyond policy.
It’s about people—our neighbours, colleagues, employees, and friends.
It’s about standing up for what is right. It means addressing discrimination, closing cultural gaps, and working together across business, community, and government to build a region where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
We know our business community cares deeply about this. We see it every day in the way organizations are stepping up, creating inclusive workplaces, and supporting newcomers.
But now is the time to lean in even further.
Share your stories. Lead by example. Be a champion for inclusion in your workplace and your community.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a few minutes to review Pathways to Belonging and consider how you—whether as a business, organization, or individual—can support this work in your everyday interactions.
Because building a stronger Saint John Region starts with ensuring that everyone who chooses to come here has the opportunity—and the support—to truly belong.
