Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island (PEI) has conducted its largest-ever Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, issuing a record 305 invitations in a single round on August 20. This marks a significant increase compared to an earlier draw in the same month, where only eight candidates received invitations.
According to details released by the PEI PNP, the August 20 draw included invitations across all three of its immigration streams—Express Entry, Labour Impact, and Business Impact. Of the total invitations issued, 277 were extended to candidates in the Express Entry and Labour Impact categories, while 28 were allocated to those in the Business Impact category. Although no specific breakdown between Express Entry and Labour Impact was provided, officials confirmed that all invited candidates were already living and working in the province.
To be eligible for selection, candidates needed to have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile before June 2020. EOI profiles are assessed using PEI’s unique points-based selection system, which rewards candidates based on factors such as education, work experience, language ability, and ties to the province. Those with high-ranking scores are invited to apply in monthly draws.
The Express Entry stream of PEI’s PNP is aligned with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) federal Express Entry system. This federal system manages applicants under three economic immigration classes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on age, education, language proficiency, and work history. Receiving a provincial nomination from PEI adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in future federal draws.
This historic draw underscores PEI’s continued commitment to attracting and retaining skilled talent that contributes to the province’s economic and labor market needs. With a focus on candidates already integrated into the island’s workforce, PEI is leveraging immigration to support its long-term demographic and economic growth goals.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on updates from PEI and other provinces participating in Canada’s dynamic Provincial Nominee Program framework.