Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Jobs Report 2026: Top 5 employers

Key Statistics

• More than 3,500 employers are currently designated under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

• QuestJobs has been tracking AIP-designated employers and job postings across Atlantic Canada for the past two years.

• Since January 2026, only an estimated 20% to 30% of designated employers have actively posted jobs.

• Our latest dataset contains 667 active AIP-related job postings.

• Nova Scotia accounts for over 60% of all tracked AIP job opportunities.

• The five employers below consistently generate the highest volume of AIP job postings are:

QuestJobs has been monitoring AIP employers and job postings across Atlantic Canada for the past two years. Our data tells a different story: while there are more than 3,500 designated employers across the four Atlantic provinces, only a fraction of these employers actively recruit throughout the year.

In fact, since January 2026, our research suggests that only about 20% to 30% of designated employers have posted jobs. Even more interesting, a relatively small group of employers consistently account for a significant share of available opportunities.

For job seekers pursuing permanent residency through the Atlantic Immigration Program, understanding where the jobs are concentrated can dramatically improve job search results.

AIP Job Distribution by Province

Based on AIP-related job postings tracked by QuestJobs, job opportunities are heavily concentrated in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia continues to dominate the Atlantic immigration landscape, accounting for more than three out of every five AIP job postings. Several factors contribute to this trend.

• A larger concentration of healthcare employers.

• Significant demand in long-term care and senior living facilities.

• Strong recruitment activity from major employers such as Nova Scotia Health Authority and Shannex.

• Higher population growth and labour shortages compared to other Atlantic provinces.

New Brunswick remains the second-largest source of AIP opportunities, driven primarily by healthcare, transportation, construction, manufacturing, and the Irving family of companies.

Prince Edward Island, while active in immigration, generates considerably fewer public job postings compared to the other Atlantic provinces.

The Employers Driving AIP Hiring

Although thousands of employers are designated under the Atlantic Immigration Program, a relatively small group consistently posts jobs. 

Combined, these five organizations accounted for approximately 14.8% of all AIP job opportunities in the QuestJobs dataset.

Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA)

Healthcare remains one of the most reliable pathways for immigration in Atlantic Canada. NSHA consistently recruits nurses, continuing care assistants, laboratory professionals, technicians, and support staff.

Healthcare labour shortages are expected to continue for years, making NSHA one of the most important employers for AIP candidates.

Irving Group

The Irving companies operate across transportation, manufacturing, forestry, shipbuilding, logistics, retail, and industrial sectors. Unlike many employers that recruit only occasionally, Irving companies consistently advertise positions throughout the year, making them one of the most dependable sources of AIP opportunities.

Shannex

As one of Atlantic Canada's largest senior care providers, Shannex regularly hires:

• Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs)

• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

• Registered Nurses (RNs)

• Dietary aides

• Housekeeping staff

• Recreation staff

Many QuestJobs users have successfully landed PR eligible jobs at  Shannex.

Horizon Health Network and Vitalité

Together, these organizations form the backbone of New Brunswick's healthcare system. Because healthcare occupations remain in chronic shortage, Horizon and Vitalité continue to be among the most active AIP employers in the province.

MacLeod Cares

MacLeod Cares has become a recurring employer for healthcare and senior care recruitment across Nova Scotia. The organization's ongoing demand for healthcare professionals has made it a consistent contributor to AIP hiring activity.

The Reality of AIP Job Searching

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is applying blindly to every designated employer. Designation does not necessarily mean active hiring. Our two years of research show that many designated employers rarely post jobs, while a relatively small group of employers recruit consistently month after month. The most successful applicants focus their efforts on employers with a proven history of hiring and ongoing recruitment activity.

The Atlantic Immigration Program remains one of the strongest pathways to permanent residency in Canada. However, success depends on understanding where the real opportunities exist.

QuestJobs' data shows that:

• Nova Scotia remains the dominant source of AIP job opportunities.

• Only a minority of designated employers actively recruit.

• A small group of employers consistently generates a significant share of available positions.

• Healthcare continues to be the strongest sector for AIP-driven hiring.

At QuestJobs, we continuously research, track, and evaluate Canada's immigration-aligned labour market so that job seekers can focus on employers that are actually hiring, rather than wasting time on outdated or inactive opportunities.

Apply to the most updated AIP jobs here.