Saint John Region Launches 'Pathways to Belonging' Immigration Strategy
September 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint John Region Launches 'Pathways to Belonging' Immigration Strategy
SAINT JOHN, NB - The Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP), under the umbrella of Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency, has unveiled 'Pathways to Belonging,' a comprehensive Regional Immigration Strategy aimed at ensuring sustainable success for newcomers in the Saint John Region.
The strategy emphasizes a collaborative approach, urging governments, businesses, non-profits, and citizens to work together to build a welcoming, inclusive, and economically resilient community. It builds upon the City of Saint John's 2022 'Succeed and Stay' strategy, expanding its scope to encompass the broader region.
As of April 1, 2025, the SJLIP, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will be hosted by Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency. This transition reflects strong collaboration between federal and provincial partners and ensures immigration and population growth initiatives are closely aligned with regional development priorities.
"Pathways to Belonging is our community's commitment to ensuring newcomers not only succeed here, but truly feel at home," said Daniel Rito, Director of Population Growth and Workforce Development at Envision Saint John.
The strategy focuses on three strategic pillars:
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Welcoming & Inclusive Communities: Strengthening cultural and linguistic connections to promote mutual understanding.
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Economic & Educational Opportunities: Aligning newcomer skills with industry needs and promoting small and medium-sized enterprise hiring.
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Coordinated Support & Advocacy: Creating a centralized data portal, fostering collaboration, and addressing systemic racism.
Expected outcomes include a robust immigration ecosystem, shared open data for coordinated action, increased newcomer hiring and industry collaboration, greater cultural and linguistic cohesion, and a reduction in systemic racism.
Implementation will continue through 2030 under SJLIP's leadership, with regular community reporting. Success will be measured through shared targets, performance indicators, and ongoing accountability.
Click HERE to view the full strategy.
About Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency
Envision Saint John is the lead economic development and visitor attraction agency for the Saint John Region, tasked with sustainably growing the economy and population. Governed by an independent Board of Directors, it is supported by key funding partners, including the municipalities of Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Hampton, Fundy-St. Martins, and the Fundy Rural District.
About the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership
Developed in 2017, the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership (SJLIP) focused on community partnership and connection. As a newcomer-focused and collaborative grass-roots initiative, the mission of the SJLIP is to improve newcomer attraction, settlement, integration, and retention in the Saint John Region.
Media Contact:
Olivia DesRoches, Integrated Marketing Specialist
Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency
Olivia.desroches@envisionsaintjohn.com
506-658-2877 ext.118
