by Andrea Zusnabar
We are delighted to share with you an important update from the Chartered Professional Accountants of New Brunswick (CPA New Brunswick) regarding their support for the new federal process aimed at welcoming skilled immigrants and their efforts to attract more Francophone newcomers to the province. This development is crucial in driving economic growth and ensuring a diverse and talented workforce in New Brunswick.
CPA New Brunswick applauds the recent announcement made by the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, regarding category-based selection in the Express Entry immigration program. The focus on candidates with strong French-language proficiency and STEM professions aligns perfectly with CPA New Brunswick’s innovative immigration program, designed to attract immigrants, especially from French-speaking countries, to work as Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in the province.
Mylène Lapierre, President and CEO of CPA New Brunswick, emphasized the significant impact these programs have on the province’s overall workforce and growing economy. According to the Economic Impact Report commissioned by CPA NB in March 2023, CPAs play a critical role in the economy, generating substantial economic activity through business-related spending and household income within the province.
In 2021 alone, the business and household spending associated with the 2,253 active CPAs in New Brunswick contributed to a boost of $418 million to the provincial GDP. Moreover, this resulted in $136 million in tax revenue for governments, including $77.5 million for provincial and local governments.
To further support internationally-trained accountants, CPA New Brunswick is collaborating with government and business partners to develop an online Pathways tool, which will enable accountants to assess their quickest path to CPA New Brunswick membership. Additionally, CPA New Brunswick is adapting two required courses on ethics and taxation for digital delivery in both official languages. Furthermore, the association is actively pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with Francophone countries, exemplified by the recent signing of an MRA with l’Ordre des experts-comptables de France.
Lapierre highlighted the significance of the agreement with France, as it will facilitate the process for French immigrants to work in New Brunswick and access the many available, well-paying jobs in the accounting profession. This achievement marks a significant milestone in CPA New Brunswick’s immigration program, aimed at attracting highly qualified international candidates to live and work in the province.
We encourage our members to recognize the importance of supporting skilled immigration and engaging in initiatives that attract talented professionals to our province. The collaborative efforts of CPA New Brunswick and various stakeholders exemplify a commitment to strengthening our workforce and fostering economic development.
