The Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Notice (Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 37/25), issued under section 5 of the Executive Council Act and dated May 1, 2025, formally outlines the structure, authority, and responsibilities of the department as redefined by Order in Council 2021-135. This legal instrument confirms the department’s current organization and the minister’s mandate. The notice defines the term “department” as the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills and “minister” as the corresponding minister, unless the context suggests otherwise. The department is composed of three main branches: Immigration and Population Growth; Employment and Labour Market Development; and Corporate Services and Policy. These branches aim to reflect a comprehensive approach to supporting both economic and demographic development in the province, integrating immigration policy with workforce and skill development strategies.

The minister is granted wide-ranging powers and responsibilities under this notice. These include oversight and leadership in employment and career services aimed at helping individuals find, maintain, and grow in their employment opportunities. The minister is also tasked with supporting individuals in accessing necessary training, licensing, and credentials to enter or advance in the workforce. This includes overseeing apprenticeships and programs for trade qualifiers and journeypersons. Further, the department is charged with implementing skills development programs, particularly those falling under the Labour Market Transfer Agreement. Another key duty involves labour market planning, including providing information and analysis about workforce trends to both job seekers and employers. This involves creating strategies to recruit and retain talent and ensure inclusive population growth to meet provincial needs.

Immigration policy is central to the department’s mandate. The minister is responsible for nominating and endorsing newcomers for permanent residency and engaging with employers and community groups on immigration matters. This includes providing a range of support for recruitment, settlement, integration, and retention of immigrants. The promotion of multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion also falls within the minister’s jurisdiction, so long as these areas are not covered by another entity.

In terms of legislative authority, the minister has exclusive responsibility for administering a number of acts, associated orders, and regulations, such as, the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, the Fair Registration Practices Act, and the Labour Mobility Implementation Act.

This change emphasizes the province’s strategic attempt to integrate immigration, labour market development, and skills training within a single department, with the aim of improving services and policy under one ministerial portfolio to better support population growth and economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland & Labrador (037-2025) May 2, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion