New Brunswick’s incoming premier says she is worried about how impending immigration cuts could impact our province.

Federal officials announced Thursday they would be slashing the number of permanent and temporary residents.

Premier-designate Susan Holt said newcomers have had a significant impact on New Brunswick’s economy.

“I don’t think there’s a long-term care facility in New Brunswick that would be open today if it weren’t for the newcomers that have come to help care for seniors in New Brunswick,” Holt told reporters on Thursday.

“I don’t know how we’re going to tackle our housing challenges if we don’t bring in more people who have those construction skills that we need to help us build the homes that New Brunswickers need and want to live in.”

Holt said recent cuts to the number of international students are also impacting New Brunswick students as it means post-secondary institutions are offering fewer classes.

RELATED: Canada cuts immigration targets starting in 2025

Ottawa has lowered next year’s projections from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 — a drop of more than 20 per cent.

It will then be lowered to 380,000 permanent residents in 2026 before stabilizing at 365,000 in 2027.

The immigration plan also reduces the number of temporary residents to five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2026.

The temporary population will decline by 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026 before increasing slightly by 17,439 in 2027.

“There are critical shortages of New Brunswick’s labour force that we have to be really thoughtful about how we fill,” said Holt.

“We also have to be conscious of the pressure that’s on our housing system because of increased demand, the pressure that’s on our health-care system because of increased demand.”

Federal officials said the move aims to alleviate pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services experienced in recent years.

Holt said there needs to be conversations about what New Brunswick needs to grow its economy.