Maple News reports that the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba have issued fresh rounds of invitations for immigration candidates through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) during the week of May 3–10. These invitations are part of ongoing efforts to address labour shortages in key sectors by welcoming skilled foreign talent with ties to the provinces.
In British Columbia, at least 77 invitations were issued through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), including the enhanced Express Entry BC (EEBC) option. This stream targets candidates who are already in the federal Express Entry pool but wish to settle in B.C.
The province ran targeted draws for five priority sectors where skilled labour is in high demand: childcare, construction, healthcare, tech, and veterinary care. Minimum cut-off scores varied by sector:
– Childcare: 90
– Construction: 93
– Healthcare: 100
– Tech: 120
– Veterinary Care: 80
These targeted draws are part of an ongoing strategy to invite individuals with relevant work experience and job offers in high-priority fields. For the International Graduate stream, candidates must have completed a degree at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution and secured a job offer from a B.C. employer.
Meanwhile, Manitoba issued a total of 371 invitations through its Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Among these, 18 candidates were selected in an occupation-specific draw aimed at individuals currently employed in in-demand transport roles. Specifically, the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes targeted were:
– 72024: Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
– 73301: Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
The remaining invitations were distributed across three other general MPNP streams, further supporting Manitoba’s goal of attracting skilled professionals aligned with the province’s labour force needs.
According to Maple News, both provinces continue to use targeted draws under their PNPs to ensure their economic and demographic priorities are met. These programs are vital pathways for immigrants seeking Canadian permanent residency, especially those with recent Canadian education or a confirmed job offer in high-demand occupations.