Saskatchewan has worst-in-the-nation rates of immigrant retention west of Atlantic Canada
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck and Immigration and Economy Critic Aleana Young called on the Sask. Party government to address Saskatchewan’s immigrant retention rates that are worst-in-nation outside Atlantic Canada and worsening under Scott Moe’s leadership.
“Anyone who grew up here knows that Saskatchewan has the potential to be the best place to live and work in Canada,” said Beck. “Yet with Scott Moe at the wheel, new families and immigrant workers like doctors or tradespeople are leaving. The Sask. Party is not giving our newest neighbours the tools they need to put down roots and stay in our great province.”
Since 2015, Saskatchewan has had the worst rates of immigrant retention among the provinces outside of Atlantic Canada. 5-year retention rates have fallen from 78% to 63% and under Scott Moe, the 5-year retention rate has continued to decline.
The Official Opposition was joined at the Legislature by international students at the University of Regina who said inadequate access to healthcare and a lack of jobs in their fields of study were significant barriers to staying in Saskatchewan.
“Under Scott Moe, Saskatchewan is dead last in Canada in terms of job growth. That means young people are showing up here and quickly moving to other provinces for work, which in turn hurts our economy even more,” said Young. “It’s a vicious cycle.”
The Saskatchewan NDP called on the Sask. Party government to commit to creating a plan to attract and retain immigrants, including English as an additional language supports in schools, improving credentialing to create more jobs, access to housing units, increased financial support for organizations supporting immigrants, and expanding start-up incentives to make Saskatchewan competitive with other provinces.
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