On September 11, 2025, the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP), under the umbrella of Envision Saint John, launched the new Pathways to Belonging Immigration Strategy, a bold expansion of the 2022 Succeed and Stay plan. This regional framework brings governments, businesses, non-profits, and citizens together to build a welcoming, inclusive, and economically resilient Saint John region. As Daniel Rito, Director of Population Growth and Workforce Development, emphasized, the strategy is not just about newcomer success but about making newcomers truly feel at home.
A Collaborative Vision Rooted in Inclusion and Opportunity
The strategy is built around three pillars:
- Welcoming & Inclusive Communities – enhancing cultural and linguistic connections.
- Economic & Educational Opportunities aligning newcomer skills with industry needs and boosting small and medium enterprise (SME) hiring.
- Coordinated Support & Advocacy fostering collaboration, creating shared data resources, and combating systemic racism.
Together, these pillars are expected to create a stronger immigration ecosystem, increase newcomer employment, and deepen cultural cohesion foundations critical to Saint John’s social and economic fabric.
Welcoming Week 2025: Stories We Share
A key initiative unveiled during the launch is Welcoming Week 2025, running from September 12 to 21, themed Stories We Share. This national campaign, founded in 2012 by Welcoming America, celebrates communities dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Saint John and Quispamsis’s participation highlights the power of shared narratives to build bridges across cultures and experiences, fostering a sense of belonging.
Diversity as an Economic Driver
Saint John’s growing diversity exemplifies Canada’s multicultural values and acts as an engine for economic growth. According to Statistics Canada, immigrants make up roughly 12% of New Brunswick’s population, with that figure steadily rising in Saint John. Research consistently links immigrant integration to innovation and entrepreneurship, vital drivers of workforce vitality. The Conference Board of Canada’s 2021 report underscored that immigrant integration leads to higher GDP growth and helps ease labour shortages common in regions like Saint John, where the ageing population intensifies recruitment challenges. Immigrants’ entrepreneurial spirit also fuels job creation and economic expansion locally.
Welcoming Week’s programs support this growth by building awareness of immigrant contributions. For instance, the Welcoming Expo connects newcomers with local organizations and employers, creating pathways to inclusion. Employer-focused initiatives like the HR Rise & Learn workshop equip businesses to navigate immigration pathways, crucial for addressing New Brunswick’s workforce demands.
Welcoming Week Highlights
Saint John and Quispamsis host a rich lineup of culturally engaging and economically impactful events:
- Welcoming Expo (Sept 17): Newcomers meet service providers and employers, creating networks that support integration and community resilience.
- HR Rise & Learn (Sept 18): Employers gain immigration hiring insights, strengthening regional economic competitiveness.
- Food Shop Hop & I-Click Photography Exhibit (Sept 20): Showcasing cultural diversity through ethnic foods and youth photography fosters empathy and economic support for small businesses.
- International CultureFest (Sept 20, Quispamsis): A vibrant celebration of global arts and cuisine that nurtures intercultural understanding and community pride.
Building an Inclusive and Prosperous Future
Stories We Share encapsulates how personal experiences enrich Saint John’s identity and underlines the importance of shared narratives in fostering connected, equitable communities. Storytelling nurtures empathy, reduces stereotypes, and inspires inclusive policies, all of which enhance economic prosperity.
Research supports this view: RBC Economics reports that immigration-driven population growth accounted for over 70% of Canada’s labour force increase from 2015 to 2020, a major factor behind the country’s economic resilience. For regions like Saint John, embracing this momentum is a strategy for sustainable development, innovation, and cultural vitality.
How to Get Involved
Welcoming Week invites everyone, newcomers, residents, organizations, and businesses to participate in storytelling and cultural events that celebrate heritage and build community connections. Whether looking to learn, contribute, or hire talent, there are meaningful ways to engage and support Saint John’s welcoming vision.
Closing Reflection
Saint John’s commitment through initiatives like “Pathways to Belonging” and “Welcoming Week” transcends tolerance and also cultivates a thriving community where everyone belongs. When we listen to the Stories We Share, we strengthen both the social fabric and the economic engine driving the region’s future.
Sources:
- Statistics Canada, Immigrant Population Data, 2023
- Conference Board of Canada, Immigration and Economic Growth Report, 2021
- RBC Economics, Labour Force Growth and Immigration, 2020
