How do you grow N.L.’s population? Province wants feedback as fertility rate hits record low

The provincial government wants more people in Newfoundland and Labrador, as fertility rates hit an all-time low and population growth slows amid federal cuts to immigration.

“I will…have a smile once we have more births than deaths,” said Lin Paddock, minister of jobs, growth and immigration.

The province is developing a five-year population growth strategy, and asking the public for feedback in an online survey.

More people are dying each year in N.L. than being born. Meanwhile the fertility rate is a record-low 1.08 children per woman, according to Statistics Canada — among the lowest numbers in the country.

Migration is the only reason the population has been growing. But that growth has slowed across the country recently, as the federal government cuts immigration targets.

But with mega-projects on the horizon, the province needs more workers, says Paddock. Plus, people are “greying,” he said. More than a quarter of the population is age 65 or older.

“It’s important that we grow the population now,” said Paddock.

So how do you get more people here?

The province wants more control over immigration, says Paddock, noting Atlantic provinces have asked Ottawa for more numbers and quicker processing. N.L. recently got approval for 1,000 additional immigrants, he said.

Immigration is key to growing the population, but there also needs to be support for newcomers, says MUN economics professor Tony Fang, who specializes in immigration research.

WATCH | How to grow — now:

‘More births than deaths’: N.L. government looks to grow population

The N.L. government is developing a population growth strategy — and is looking for public feedback. As CBC’s Laura Howells reports, the push comes amid cuts to immigration and a record-low fertility rate.

Government should aim to “make the community more inclusive, more supportive, more friendly,” Fang said.

How to encourage more babies?

Paddock also points to locals moving home as a way to grow the population, and of course: having more babies.

“If people can see a positive future then I think they’re going to invest in families,” said Paddock, pointing to the need for strong economic conditions, education and health care.

It’s not the first time provincial leaders have wanted to grow the population. In 2007, then-premier Danny Williams promised $1,000 for every child born or adopted.

A baby bonus isn’t really effective policy, says Fang.

What would help, Fang says, are things like child care subsidies, education supports, and meaningful employment.

“If the provincial government is really serious about long-term population growth, economic growth, they have to invest,” said Fang.

There’s also been a “surprising” phenomenon of more seniors moving home to the province after the COVID-19 pandemic — which contributes to the older age of the population, said Fang.

Surveys on population, rural revitalization

People can fill out a survey on population growth on the EngageNL website until Oct. 11.

Meanwhile, the province also has its eye on bolstering rural communities. Paddock says encouraging people to live in certain communities relies on jobs, but also access to housing, education, and health care.

A survey on rural revitalization is open until Dec. 4, and there will be several in-person sessions across the province on the topic.

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