The federal government has released its immigration targets for 2026 though to 2028 – attempting to strike a balance between economic immigration and humanitarian needs.

Ottawa has set the annual allocation to 380,000 newcomers for the next three years, with a higher percentage – 64 percent – from the economic class.

The number of temporary foreign workers is being cut from more than 365,000 to 230,000 in 2026 and will drop to 220,000 in each of the following two years.

How that will translate in this province is not yet clear, but Premier Tony Wakeham says it’s a concern.

He says temporary foreign workers have proven to be essential for the province’s fishing industry, helping to process product at local plants. And “they’re the same people that come back every year” says Wakeham.

“There’s stability there, and a relationship there.”