Maple News reports that British Columbia, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) have recently nominated candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), continuing Canada’s effort to attract skilled workers tailored to regional labour market needs.
The PNP allows individual provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals who possess the skills and experience required to address their specific economic demands. While immigration is ultimately a federal process, the program enhances regional input in selecting immigrants who are likely to settle and thrive in a particular province. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination are well-positioned to succeed in Canada’s immigration system, especially if they are in the federal Express Entry pool.
Express Entry candidates nominated through a PNP receive an additional 600 points in Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), effectively guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next draw. So far in 2023, even the highest CRS cut-off for a PNP-specific draw has not exceeded 791, highlighting the strategic advantage of provincial nomination.
Between September 30 and October 5, British Columbia issued 110 invitations in a general draw held on October 4 under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). This draw did not target specific occupations. Minimum required CRS scores depended on the stream: 111 for Skilled Workers, 113 for International Graduates, and 91 for Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled applicants.
Alberta, though not detailed in the original release, continues to nominate candidates under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), frequently targeting individuals with ties to the province or in high-demand occupations like healthcare and tech.
Prince Edward Island also remains active through its PEI PNP streams and frequently invites candidates in the Express Entry, Labour Impact, and Business Impact categories. The province prioritizes applicants with skillsets aligned with PEI’s economic priorities, particularly healthcare, trades, and information technology.
Maple News notes that Canada’s continued reliance on the PNP underscores the vital role of regional immigration in addressing labour shortages and supporting economic growth. By enabling provinces to directly select immigrants based on local demand, this system strikes a balance between national oversight and provincial autonomy.