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The Basics

One of the four Atlantic Provinces, Newfoundland is the easternmost province in Canada. It is comprised of the island of Newfoundland, as well as mainland Labrador. Newfoundland is home to a population of about 525,000 people, the majority of which live in coastal fishing villages.

St. John's, the capital city and the historic commercial centre of the island, is the province's largest city, with a population of approximately 177,000. Other major centers of population are Grand Falls, Windsor and Corner Brook. Smaller communities often referred to as “outports” are more traditional villages - an important element in Newfoundland society.

Economy and Employment

Newfoundland's economy is highly dependent on natural resources. The most prominent industries are fishing, mining, and pulp and paper. The energy sector is another important part of the Newfoundland economy. Newfoundland also has significant offshore oil reserves which are now being developed and extracted at an increased pace.
The province of Newfoundland faces challenges to overcome the decline of its fishing industry, which has traditionally been the center of the province's economy. With many residents having worked their whole careers in the industry, Newfoundland faces Canada's highest unemployment rate at 15.2%. The province is investing heavily in re-training programs and new growth industries, and is experiencing some success at moving its economy away from dependence on natural resources.

Standard of Living

The high levels of unemployment in the province mean that the average income for families in Newfoundland is below the Canadian average. The minimum wage is also slightly lower than most Canadian provinces. At the same time, housing and heating costs, as well as the cost of living are among the lowest in Canada.

Residential Housing

Suitable and affordable housing is readily available in Newfoundland. The average percentage of household income taken up by ownership costs is among the lowest in Canada.

Education

In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school in the public school system. Newfoundland and Labrador offers an excellent public education system for grades Kindergarten through grade 12. In addition, this system is augmented with government-funded early childhood education as well as adult education programs and apprenticeship programs. The province's public post-secondary institutions consist of The Memorial University of Newfoundland and the College of the North Atlantic.

Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. Newfoundland, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care. The Newfoundland Health Plan covers all essential medical services.

History

Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to join Canadian Confederation in 1949. Prior to joining Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador had been a British colony, and then an independent dominion after 1907. Newfoundlanders retain a strong sense of provincial identity, and also have distinctive dialects in both English and French.

Culture

The distinctive culture of Newfoundland is linked with the traditional importance of fisheries. Much of the population is found in coastal fishing villages. Newfoundland has very strong communities and a strong provincial identity built during the time when it was an independent dominion

Demographics

Newfoundland and Labrador's population of just over 500,000, has been declining as a result of decreasing birth rates and an exodus of many of those employed in the declining fishing industry. While unemployment remains high in Newfoundland and Labrador, the province is encouraging immigration of individuals with skills and assets who can help stimulate emerging industries in the province.

Immigration

While not a major destination for immigrants to Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador encourages and welcomes immigrants to bring their skills and establish themselves in the province. Through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, the province selects skilled workers and entrepreneurs who wish to settle in the province and gets them to Canada sooner. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador hopes that this program will encourage more immigrants to bring their skills and human resources to contribute to the province's economic transformation.

Government

Canada's government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. Since joining Canadian confederation, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has had its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly).

Major City

St. John's

With a population of 180 000 residents, St. John's serves as the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. The city is North America's oldest settlement founded by the English. While it was established as a permanent settlement by the early 1600's, the number of residents would increase significantly in the summer as Spanish, Portuguese and French fishermen would sail over to take advantage of the excellent fishing in the area.

While the fishing villages of Newfoundland have been losing some of their population, St. John's is growing, especially since the increase in oil and gas exploration. St. John's is home to highest number of scientists and engineers of any city with a population under one million in North America.