The number of immigrants to Atlantic Canada has tripled since 2002, reaching a record 8,300 in 2015 and jumping to more than 11,600 in the first nine months of 2016, according to a Report Card issued today by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.

Immigration will increase further through a new federal Atlantic Immigration Pilot, potentially reaching 18,700, but low retention rates limit the boost to population numbers. Lengthy processing times are a barrier to greater use of immigration by the business community.