Maple News reports that three of Canada’s provinces—Ontario, British Columbia (B.C.), and Saskatchewan—have issued new rounds of immigration invitations through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) between June 8 and June 14, 2024.
PNPs allow provinces and territories (excluding Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate foreign nationals who meet local economic and labor market needs. These programs play a vital role in addressing demographic challenges and skill shortages across the country.
Ontario resumed issuing invitations for the first time in nearly two months under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Two separate draws were held on June 11. The first, under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, targeted candidates eligible as early childhood educators and assistants (National Occupation Classification code 42202), issuing 124 invitations to those with a score of at least 43. The second draw was under the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream for the same occupation, issuing 120 invitations to those with a minimum score of 65.
Meanwhile, British Columbia conducted another general draw through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) on June 11. A total of 39 candidates received invitations across five occupation-targeted streams, consistent with the province’s focus on industry needs observed throughout 2024.
Saskatchewan also participated in the recent invitation round. Although details of the exact number of candidates or streams used were not fully released at the time of reporting, it is part of the province’s ongoing strategy to address regional labor gaps and attract long-term economic contributors through its Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
Maple News notes that while immigration is a shared jurisdiction between federal and provincial governments in Canada, Quebec manages its own system separate from PNPs under a special agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
These provincial draws reinforce Canada’s broader immigration strategy of regional empowerment and skilled workforce attraction, ensuring that smaller economies and communities have access to the talent they need for sustained growth.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination often gain a significant advantage in applying for permanent residency, especially under Canada’s federal Express Entry system.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on provincial immigration programs and nomination draws across the country as they occur.