Newfoundland and Labrador’s doors are open.

That’s the response of the provincial government to the passing of a controversial new law in Quebec barring public employees and others in high profile positions from wearing religious symbols and rejecting upwards of 16,000 applications for residency.

Some have questioned whether the new Quebec law could provide opportunities in neighbouring provinces to attract more immigration.

Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Bernard Davis tells VOCM News this province has seen a rise in immigration in the last few years. Since 2017, the number of people who have been approved for permanent residency has increased by 25 per cent.

In 2018, just over 1,500 people became permanent residents of Newfoundland and Labrdor – a 20 per cent increase over 2017.