The Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA) says that most new immigrants coming to New Brunswick are better educated and more affluent than before, with the majority qualifying under the provincial nominee program.
According to MAGMA communications coordinator Justin Ryan, immigrants coming to New Brunswick in the past would arrive in relatively poor shape.
“Now we’re getting people who are coming here who are much more well educated, much more affluent; however the barriers are more in terms of turning their experience and professional skills into something that is useful for us locally,” said Ryan.
Ryan says most immigrants are from South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East, and that fewer than 10% of MAGMA’s clients are refugees.
“Around 80 per cent of immigrants who come to New Brunswick actually come under the provincial nominee program. So they’re coming here as well-educated professionals. They’re coming here with higher language skills, and they’re coming here as entrepreneurs,” he said.