Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island has set a new milestone in its immigration efforts by issuing 345 invitations to economic immigration candidates in its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held on September 17.
This marks the highest number of invitations extended by the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) in a single draw, surpassing the previous record set just weeks earlier on August 20.
Of the total invitations issued, 313 were sent to candidates under the Express Entry and Labour Impact categories. While the PEI PNP did not reveal the specific breakdown between these two groups, the draw reflects the province’s ongoing strategy to attract skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy.
Additionally, 32 invitations were extended through PEI’s Business Impact category, specifically under its Work Permit Stream, targeting international entrepreneurs seeking to operate a business within the province.
The PEI PNP is a part of Canada’s larger Provincial Nominee Program, which empowers provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on local labour market needs. PEI’s Express Entry stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which manages candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates under the Express Entry system are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points for factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. A provincial nomination gives candidates an additional 600 CRS points — effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a future federal draw.
This record-breaking draw signals Prince Edward Island’s commitment to using immigration as a tool to drive regional economic development and address labour shortages. It also underscores the growing importance of PNPs in Canada’s overall immigration strategy.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in provincial nominee programs across the country.