Immigration not keeping pace with people leaving P.E.I.

Strong immigration numbers on P.E.I. are being increasingly offset by negative interprovincial migration, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council notes in its most recent report.

• P.E.I. owes growth to immigration

Immigration remains strong for the province. In 2015 net immigration in the province was 1,180 people, but at the same time net interprovincial migration was 1,243. Interprovincial migration has doubled since 2012.

• Growth strategy for Atlantic provinces includes immigration boost

APEC senior policy analyst Fred Bergman said P.E.I.'s already strong immigration numbers could grow in coming years.

"There could be another boost due to the recent announcement by the federal and provincial governments of an Atlantic Growth Strategy," said Bergman.

Retail sales up, jobs lagging

APEC noted that retail sales remain strong, but expects this could be dampened by coming increases to HST rates.

• P.E.I. retail sales up for 7th straight month

Employment continues to lag on the Island, with a 1.4 per cent decrease in the number of jobs on the Island in the first seven months of the year.

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