As Saint John, New Brunswick, continues to navigate a dynamic economic landscape, marked by evolving interest rates and seasonal shifts, the region is actively pursuing strategies to foster sustainable growth and attract new talent. In a significant move to bolster its workforce and enrich its community, the Saint John Region has launched a comprehensive immigration strategy designed to welcome newcomers and integrate them successfully into the local fabric.

The ‘Pathways to Belonging’ Regional Immigration Strategy, unveiled on September 11, 2025, by the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP) under the umbrella of Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency, aims to ensure sustainable success for newcomers. This initiative builds upon the City of Saint John’s 2022 ‘Succeed and Stay’ strategy, expanding its reach to encompass the entire region.

A Bold Step Towards a Brighter Future

The strategy emphasizes a collaborative approach, calling upon governments, businesses, non-profits, and citizens to work together in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and economically resilient community. Effective April 1, 2025, the SJLIP, which receives funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will be hosted by Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency. This transition signifies a strong partnership between federal and provincial entities, ensuring that immigration and population growth initiatives are closely aligned with the region’s broader development goals.

Daniel Rito, Director of Population Growth and Workforce Development at Envision Saint John, highlighted the community’s dedication, stating, “Pathways to Belonging is our community’s commitment to ensuring newcomers not only succeed here, but truly feel at home”.

Key Pillars of Progress

The ‘Pathways to Belonging’ strategy is built upon three core strategic pillars designed to create a supportive environment for newcomers:

1. Welcoming & Inclusive Communities: This pillar focuses on strengthening cultural and linguistic connections to promote mutual understanding and foster a sense of belonging.
2. Economic & Educational Opportunities: The strategy aims to align newcomer skills with existing industry needs and actively promote hiring within small and medium-sized enterprises.
3. Coordinated Support & Advocacy: This involves creating a centralized data portal, encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders, and actively working to address systemic racism within the community.

Driving Economic Resilience and Inclusivity

The expected outcomes of this ambitious strategy are far-reaching, including the development of a robust immigration ecosystem, the sharing of open data for more coordinated action, an increase in newcomer hiring and industry collaboration, greater cultural and linguistic cohesion, and a significant reduction in systemic racism. The implementation of ‘Pathways to Belonging’ will continue through 2030 under the leadership of SJLIP, with regular community reporting and success measured through shared targets, performance indicators, and ongoing accountability. For a deeper dive into the strategy, the full document can be viewed here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ‘Pathways to Belonging’ strategy?

It is a comprehensive Regional Immigration Strategy launched by the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP) and Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency, aimed at ensuring the sustainable success and integration of newcomers in the Saint John Region.

When was the strategy launched?

The strategy was officially unveiled on September 11, 2025.

What are the main goals of the strategy?

The primary goals are to build a welcoming, inclusive, and economically resilient community by strengthening cultural connections, aligning newcomer skills with economic opportunities, and providing coordinated support.

Who is leading the implementation of this strategy?

The Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP), hosted by Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency, is leading the implementation, which will continue through 2030.

Where can I find the full strategy document?

The full strategy document is available on the Envision Saint John website. You can access it by clicking here.