Discussion with Minister Arlene Dunn on the Growing Population and Job Vacancies in NB

Insights with Don Mills and David Campbell- An Acadia Broadcasting Podcast

New Brunswick is in the middle of an unprecedented population growth trend. This is leading to record employment but also to growing job vacancies. Statistics Canada’s Job Vacancy Survey shows nearly 50% more job vacancies in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the pre-pandemic second quarter of 2019. Minister of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour Arlene Dunn and Deputy Minister Dan Mills join us today for a conversation on what government is doing to ensure New Brunswick has enough workers to meet demand and ensure the economy continues to grow. A growing economy will provide the tax revenues needed to sustainably fund public services in the years ahead without raising tax rates. Minister Dunn has an impressive resume having worked in top roles in both the union sector and industry before jumping into politics. We talk about the construction workforce, nurses, manufacturing and other areas that are facing shortages. Immigration and international students were another important topic and how we can retain these newcomers long term. If you listen all the way through in the final few minutes, Mills proposes a couple of very interesting initiatives the Department is considering to help with foreign credential recognition and long term immigrant retention in our province. This one ran a little long – a little over an hour and 10 minutes but if you are interested in this topic it will be among the most productive hour and 10 minutes you spend this week.
Stay tuned for next week when we have our second discussion with Jim Irving, Co-CEO of JD Irving Limited.