Maple News reports that British Columbia and Manitoba have issued over 400 invitations to skilled immigrants through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) during the week of April 6–12. These draws focused on attracting talent in high-demand sectors to address critical labor market needs in their respective provinces.
British Columbia (B.C.) issued at least 88 invitations through its Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). These streams are tailored for recent graduates and skilled professionals who have secured valid job offers from B.C. employers within the past three years. Candidates invited through the Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) pathway were aligned with the federal Express Entry system, allowing faster processing toward permanent residency.
Invitations in B.C. were distributed across several priority sectors. Professionals in tech required a minimum score of 116 to be eligible, while healthcare and construction workers needed scores of 95 or higher. Childcare professionals were invited with a minimum score of 90, and veterinary care professionals were selected with scores as low as 80. These targeted draws reflect the province’s current focus on filling essential roles in its economy.
Meanwhile, Manitoba invited more than 350 candidates through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Of these, 276 invitations were issued under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba category via the Occupation-Specific Selection stream. This pathway targets individuals who are already employed in the province and working in occupations that are in high demand.
Specifically, Manitoba focused on candidates working in key roles as classified by Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. These included NOC 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates), NOC 60020 (retail and wholesale trade managers), and NOC Group 731 (general construction trades workers). This strategic approach supports Manitoba’s goal of retaining workers who have already integrated into its labor market.
These recent invitations highlight a broader national trend in Canadian immigration: the tightening alignment between provincial labor priorities and immigration selection systems. Enhanced PNP streams, like B.C.’s EEBC, work in tandem with the federal Express Entry system, offering a dual advantage for both provinces and candidates by expediting the permanent residency process for qualified individuals.
Maple News will continue to monitor upcoming PNP rounds as provinces across Canada adapt their selection criteria to attract the talent they need to drive economic growth and community development.