Maple News reports that in September 2021, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) issued approximately 6,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination, reaffirming the critical role of provinces in shaping the country’s immigration landscape.
All Canadian provinces and territories—except Quebec and Nunavut—operate their own PNPs, allowing them to address regional labour shortages and attract skilled workers who fit their unique economic needs. While the federal government manages overall immigration policy and permanent residency status, the PNP enables provinces to directly nominate candidates for permanent residence, contributing significantly to Canada’s population growth and economic vitality.
Since their inception in 1998, PNPs have become a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy. By 2023, more than 80,000 new permanent residents are projected to enter Canada each year through these provincial programs, underscoring their expanding relevance within the broader immigration system.
September also saw continued synergy between provincial programs and the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for three federal economic immigration streams. Many provinces have at least one PNP stream aligned with Express Entry, enabling faster processing times and easier transition to permanent residence.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted three Express Entry draws in September focused exclusively on PNP candidates. These draws occurred on September 1 (635 ITAs), September 15 (521 ITAs), and September 29 (761 ITAs), demonstrating a slight uptick in invitations compared to preceding months. This brings the total PNP-specific draws in 2021 to 18.
Notably, IRCC has limited Express Entry invitations in 2021 to candidates under the PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) categories only. The volume of invitations issued via Express Entry for PNP applicants has nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2020—a clear indicator of Canada’s strategy to prioritize candidates already within the country or selected by provinces.
Among the most active provinces in September was Ontario, which conducted five separate draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), reflecting its ongoing efforts to address labour demands in sectors such as tech, healthcare, and skilled trades.
With immigration expected to remain central to Canada’s post-pandemic recovery and regional development, PNPs continue to offer a vital route for skilled foreign nationals seeking permanent residence. Maple News will continue monitoring and reporting on key developments in Canada’s evolving immigration system.