How Canada Immigration Policy Changes Could Cripple New Brunswick’s Food Industry

The recent cuts to immigration programs in New Brunswick have sparked concerns among food industry, employers who rely heavily on immigrant workers to sustain production.

Two major companies in the province, Mrs. Dunster’s and Fancy Pokket Bakery, warn that the changes will disrupt their workforce and have severe economic consequences. With local applicants showing little interest in these jobs, restricting permanent residency pathways for bakers and food service workers could lead to operational challenges, affecting supply chains and regional economic stability.

On This Page You Will Find:

• An overview of how recent immigration cuts impact New Brunswick’s food industry.
• Insights from major employers like Mrs. Dunster’s and Fancy Pokket Bakery on workforce shortages.
• The exclusion of key food industry occupations from immigration programs.
• The potential economic consequences for New Brunswick.
• Government and industry responses to these policy changes.

The Role of Immigrant Workers in the Food Industry

Blair Hyslop, co-CEO of Mrs. Dunster’s, a Moncton-based baked goods company, emphasizes that immigrants are the backbone of his business. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve grown to 275 employees,” he says, noting that 52 percent were not born in Canada. His workers come from 13 nationalities and speak 26 different languages, reflecting the diversity in New Brunswick’s food production industry.

Similarly, Fancy Pokket Bakery, another major player, depends on immigrant workers. President Mike Timani, himself an immigrant from Lebanon, notes that 82 percent of his 75 employees are newcomers. Despite open job postings, few locals apply, making foreign labour essential for business growth.

Impact of Immigration Cuts

New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has historically provided a pathway to permanent residency for workers in critical sectors. However, the federal government is cutting the province’s permanent residence applications from 5,500 in 2024 to 2,750 in 2025, forcing the province to prioritize health, education, and construction trades. Food industry occupations – including bakers, cooks, food service supervisors, and process control operators – are now excluded from the program.

Adding to the challenge, the province will no longer consider designation and endorsement applications for key occupations, including:

• Restaurant and food service managers
• Food service supervisors
• Cooks
• Bakers
• Process control and machine operators – food and beverage processing
• Fish and seafood plant workers
• Bartenders and other customer representatives
• Shippers and receivers
• Administrative assistants
• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers

This decision has left employers scrambling. “I don’t know where we would be today without these employees,” Hyslop says. Many of his workers, who planned their lives around gaining permanent residency, now face uncertainty. “They’re crying,” he said. “They’re upset and trying to explain to their families, who invested all this money to get them here, that they may not be able to stay.”

At Fancy Pokket Bakery, Timani fears the new restrictions will make it impossible to sustain production levels. “Our doors are open for all individuals who would like to work,” he says, adding that despite job postings, interest remains low.

A Workforce Crisis Looms

While the AIP is reopening for designated New Brunswick employers, the exclusion of food industry workers raises alarms. Businesses fear they will struggle to maintain production, leading to supply chain disruptions and economic instability.

These immigration cuts are part of a broader trend that could reshape New Brunswick’s economy. With an aging workforce and declining interprovincial migration, limiting permanent residency pathways may worsen labour shortages and hinder economic growth.

Economic Consequences for New Brunswick

A report from the Public Policy Forum highlights that Atlantic Canada’s economic growth has relied on immigration-driven population increases. The rapid influx of newcomers has bolstered demand for goods and services, contributing to regional prosperity.

However, TD Bank economists warn that slower population growth could stifle economic momentum. “Provincial governments’ lofty population projections, especially in 2025, are at risk of overshooting,” a TD report states. “This could dampen household spending and overall economic growth while also weighing on labour supply.”

The Shifting Demographics of New Brunswick

Since 2021, New Brunswick’s population has grown by an estimated 72,400 people, with 40,000 being permanent immigrants. While interprovincial migration spiked during the pandemic, the trend is reversing, and the province is again seeing more people leave than arrive from other Canadian regions.

With deaths outpacing births since 2005 and an aging workforce, New Brunswick faces a labour crisis if immigration pathways are restricted. The provincial government acknowledges immigration’s role in sustaining economic growth but is constrained by federal decisions.

Provincial Government Response and Industry Pleas

Jean-Claude D’Amours, New Brunswick’s acting minister of post-secondary education, training, and labour, recognizes the challenges. “The federal government’s allocation is a significant step back from previous years,” he said. “Unfortunately, this forces us to make difficult decisions, limiting our ability to manage economic growth.”

D’Amours emphasizes that the province is advocating for a reconsideration of the federal decision, highlighting New Brunswick’s unique needs as Canada’s only officially bilingual province. However, unless the federal government revises its stance, thousands of workers may face deportation, leaving industries like food production in jeopardy.

The Future of New Brunswick’s Food Industry

Business leaders like Hyslop and Timani urge policymakers to reconsider the exclusion of food industry occupations from immigration programs. They stress that these jobs are not taking opportunities away from locals but are filling roles locals do not want.

“Without these workers, businesses will shrink, and the economy will suffer,” says Hyslop. The broader question remains whether New Brunswick can sustain economic growth without a strong pipeline of immigrant workers. As businesses and government officials navigate this challenge, affected workers continue to voice their concerns, hoping for a chance to stay and contribute to their adopted home.

FAQ