Maple News reports that five Canadian provinces — Ontario, British Columbia (B.C.), Prince Edward Island (PEI), Manitoba, and Quebec — have recently issued invitations to candidates through their respective provincial immigration systems. These invitations are part of Canada’s broader immigration effort to attract skilled workers who can address provincial labor market needs.
Between February 17 and March 1, the provinces conducted targeted draws under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), a key pathway for prospective immigrants aiming to secure permanent residency by first being nominated at the provincial level. Except for Quebec and Nunavut, every Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP to select individuals with the expertise and qualifications needed locally.
Ontario led the way with a major draw on March 1 via its Skilled Trades stream, issuing 2,583 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 350 and 424. This stream targets workers in critical occupations such as construction and manufacturing trades, addressing acute labor shortages in the province.
British Columbia held a series of draws through its Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, both under the BC PNP and the Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option. On February 21, the province conducted a general draw issuing 69 invitations. Most candidates needed a minimum score of 126, while those in the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream required at least 99 points. B.C. continues to prioritize workers in high-demand sectors such as tech, health care, early childhood education, and trades.
Quebec, which operates a distinct immigration system outside the federal PNP, also conducted two rounds of invitations since February 17. Though specific data from these rounds has not been disclosed in this report, Quebec continues to maintain robust selection criteria aimed at candidates with strong French language skills and qualifications aligned with the province’s economic needs.
Manitoba and PEI also participated in this period’s selections, though specific draw sizes and details were not made public. These provinces are known for welcoming newcomers to support regional economies and to encourage settlement in smaller communities.
These ongoing provincial draws underscore Canada’s decentralized approach to selecting immigrants, allowing regions to tailor their immigration efforts based on their unique labor market requirements. Prospective immigrants are encouraged to monitor provincial programs regularly, as criteria and draw frequencies often change.
According to Maple News, provincial immigration streams remain an important pathway for skilled workers to transition to Canadian permanent residency and contribute to localized economic development.