The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP) is a five-year immigration initiative that was initiated in late 2022 as a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick.
Designed to address labor shortages in high-demand sectors, this pilot sought to attract international workers to meet persistent workforce gaps.
It is an employer-driven immigration stream that operates under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). This means that applicants must be recruited through designated employers who are actively seeking qualified foreign talent.
New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Selection Factors:
In order to be eligible for the NBCWP, candidates must satisfy both the program’s eligibility criteria and be chosen based on specific criteria:
Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 55 at the time of submitting a complete application.
Language Proficiency: A minimum CLB level 4 in English or French across all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) is required, as determined by an approved language test.
Education: Applicants must possess a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent, as verified by a recognized Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that is no older than five years.
Work Experience: A minimum of 1,560 hours of paid work experience within the past five years is required. This must be consistent with the NOC code associated with the job offer.
Employer Support: In the event that the applicant fails to satisfy a specific criterion (e.g., language or education), the employer is required to submit a signed attestation letter that confirms their endorsement of the candidate’s nomination.
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New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program Video Guide:
Partner Employers:
Six New Brunswick employers were meticulously chosen to participate in this pilot program due to their ability to offer meaningful support services to newcomers and their positive history of immigrant hiring under the NBPNP.
The NBCWP is comprised of the following employers:
J.D. Irving Limited
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McCain Foods
Cooke Aquaculture Inc
Cooke Aquaculture Inc Jobs.
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Groupe Savoie Inc.
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Imperial Manufacturing
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Groupe Westco
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These organizations are dependable partners that are dedicated to the long-term recruitment, training, and retention of competent foreign workers in New Brunswick.
Settlement Services:
The New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot is distinguished by its substantial emphasis on settlement and integration support for new immigrants. The following settlement procedures are mandatory for employers who are participating in this pilot:
- Develop comprehensive strategies to facilitate the integration of the local community, transportation, and accommodation.
- Provide structured human resources strategies for professional development and long-term hiring.
- If necessary, offer up to 200 hours of job-specific language training in either English or French.
- Provide assistance to individuals who are interested in obtaining their Canadian high school equivalency. These services facilitate a seamless transition for newcomers and assist them in establishing stable lives in New Brunswick.
Eligibility Requirements for New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program:
The New Brunswick Critical Worker immigration stream is exclusively available to employers who satisfy rigorous criteria. These prerequisites guarantee that employers can establish a work environment that is stable, ethical, and supportive for foreign employees.
Compliance & Integrity: Employers must maintain compliance and integrity with federal and provincial immigration policies and labor laws, particularly in the context of Temporary Foreign Workers.
Recruitment Track Record: Employers must have participated in at least one international recruitment mission organized by Opportunities NB (ONB) Immigration within the past two years.
Performance History: It is imperative to possess a successful history of recruiting and retaining foreign nationals through the NBPNP over the past three years.
Newcomer Retention: Employers should strive to achieve a minimum one-year retention rate of 85% for newcomers employed under the pilot.
Settlement Collaboration: It is imperative to establish robust partnerships with regional settlement agencies and maintain comprehensive settlement plans.
HR Capacity: Employers must either complete a Human Resource Support Services (HRSS) review within two years or demonstrate equivalent internal HR planning.
Reporting Compliance: All reporting obligations, including surveys and program evaluations, must be completed both during and after the pilot period.
Expansion Criteria: Employers that are expanding their workforce through immigration must have a minimum of three full-time Canadian or PR employees in New Brunswick and an average annual revenue of $500,000.
Employer Portal and Fees: Employers are required to submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the federal compliance fee.
No Misrepresentation: False or misleading job descriptions, wages, or conditions may result in disqualification from the program.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot Program?
It is a five-year, employer-driven immigration pilot (running from 2023 through 2027) that allows selected foreign workers with valid full-time, permanent job offers from six approved companies to be nominated for Canadian permanent residence through New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program.
Who qualifies for the program and what support is offered?
Applicants must have a genuine job offer from one of the designated employers (e.g., McCain Foods, J.D. Irving, Cooke Aquaculture) and meet basic eligibility criteria like secondary education equivalency, work experience, and minimum language ability (though language requirements may be waived for lower-skilled roles).
Does this require a points‑based application or can one apply directly?
You cannot apply directly—instead the employer submits your nomination. The program is not based on Express Entry points and is accessible to semi-skilled workers since even some lower-skill (TEER 4 or 5) positions may qualify without full language proficiency.