British Columbia has officially announced its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation for 2026, becoming the first Canadian province to do so. According to Maple News, the federal government has granted B.C. 5,254 nomination spaces for the upcoming year.
While this marks a 31% increase compared to the original 2025 allocation of 4,000 spots, it still represents a notable drop from the final total the province received by the end of 2025. Last year, British Columbia successfully secured two additional allocation boosts—1,254 slots in October and another 960 in December—raising the total to 6,214 nominations. The newly announced 2026 quota, therefore, reflects a year-over-year decrease of approximately 15.5%.
The provincial government had initially requested 9,000 nomination spaces for 2026, citing the need to support local industries and fill persistent labour gaps. With only 5,254 nominations approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the allocation falls 41.6% short of the province’s request.
British Columbia has indicated that it is continuing its dialogue with the IRCC to push for an increase in its 2026 allocation. Should negotiations be fruitful, the province may receive additional nomination spots later in the year.
The BC PNP plays a critical role in allowing the province to select skilled immigrants who can meet regional labour market needs. With strong demand across sectors such as healthcare, construction, and technology, the province has been vocal in advocating for greater control and flexibility over its immigration numbers.
More provinces are expected to announce their respective 2026 PNP allocations over the coming weeks, as Canada prepares to meet both national and regional growth targets through immigration.
Stay tuned with Maple News for the latest updates on provincial immigration programs and policy developments across Canada.