Newfoundland and Labrador has exceeded its immigration targets for 2021 despite the difficulties presented by the ongoing pandemic.

Immigration Minister Gerry Byrne says the targets set were met by the end of October.

He says the province may reach over 2,100 people coming into the province by the end of the calendar year.

Byrne attributes much of that growth to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians moving back home during the pandemic as well as newcomers to the province.

He says 179 Afghan refugees have been welcomed into the province in the last few months. Three families, who were originally set to settle in Toronto, chose this province because of the lifestyle it offered.