The Critical Worker Program allow New Brunswick to accept up to 10% of PNP candidates.

Since its inception in November 2022, the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program (NBCWP) has piqued the curiosity of qualified newcomers looking for a route to move to Canada.

The program is a collaborative effort between the provincial government of New Brunswick and the federal government to attract newcomers who can fill vacancies in the provincial employment force. It is an employer-driven stream of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) with six participating employers from around the province representing a diverse variety of businesses and sectors:

• Cooke Aquaculture Inc.;
• Groupe Savoie Inc.;
• Groupe Westco;
• Imperial Manufacturing;
• J.D. Irving Ltd.; and
• McCain Foods

The New Brunswick government stated when the program was introduced that these firms were chosen because they have a history of exemplary immigrant recruitment practice’s and already have the requisite settlement program in place.

The pilot will last five years and will be evaluated on a regular basis.

What distinguishes it from other programs?

While the NB PNP targets economic immigration, qualifying candidates for the NBCWP will receive additional settlement assistance. To ensure that candidates receive this assistance, participating firms must demonstrate that they can provide:

• Robust settlement plans for housing and transportation, to best support the successful establishment of candidates in their new jobs and communities, with a strong commitment to long-term retention;
• Comprehensive human resources planning for recruiting and hiring skilled international talent, and for on-the-job skills enhancement;
• Provide up to 200 hours of language training, as required, to candidates; and
• Offer guidance and support to candidates who may wish to pursue their Canadian secondary education equivalency.

Who is qualified to apply?

To be considered for nomination, candidates in the program must have a valid work offer from an approved employer and be able to demonstrate their willingness to reside in the province.

The employment offer must be competitive with compensation rates in New Brunswick for the occupation. According to the government, the remuneration specified on the job offer must:

be comparable to the rate paid to workers with a comparable level of experience and training for related employment in New Brunswick; and be consistent with your employer’s pay compensation system.
Instead of applying to the provincial government, program participants apply directly to one of the program employers.