Maple News reports that the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba have issued new invitations to immigration candidates through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), continuing Canada’s regional efforts to attract skilled foreign workers in key sectors.
On November 20, British Columbia conducted targeted category-based draws under its BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The province invited at least 16 candidates from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including those applying via the Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathway. Each targeted draw focused on priority sectors, with minimum scores varying by industry:
– Childcare: Score of 102 (3 invitations issued)
– Construction: Score of 107 (4 invitations issued)
– Healthcare: Score of 116 (4 invitations issued)
– Technology: Score of 141 (4 invitations issued)
– Veterinary Care: Score of 80 (fewer than 5 invitations issued)
The BC PNP allows candidates to apply either through a base application or by linking to their federal Express Entry profile, enabling expedited processing for both provincial nomination and permanent residence through the EEBC stream.
Meanwhile, Manitoba held three separate draws on November 8 as part of its Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), issuing a total of 274 Invitations to Apply. The first of these draws targeted candidates under the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream based on occupation-specific criteria. This draw was focused exclusively on individuals in National Occupational Classification (NOC) 60030 — restaurant and food service managers.
While each province maintains its own scoring system for candidate evaluation, these scores are not directly comparable between PNPs. Instead, they reflect localized economic needs and job market conditions, showcasing how provinces are customizing immigration pathways to meet their workforce demands.
Through these latest draws, both British Columbia and Manitoba continue to demonstrate their commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants who can address labor shortages, contribute to regional development, and enrich Canada’s broader economic landscape.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on provincial and federal immigration programs as new information becomes available.