Maple News reports that four Canadian provinces — Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec — have issued new rounds of invitations under their respective immigration streams between February 3 and February 9. These invitations were extended through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) or similar provincial selection systems, aimed at attracting candidates who align with each region’s labour market needs.
Canada has a robust network of immigration pathways at the provincial level. Eleven provinces and territories (excluding Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs, which enable them to select economic immigrants based on local priorities such as industry demand and community development.
In British Columbia, the provincial government conducted a series of draws on February 6 under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Four occupation-specific draws targeted Skilled Workers and International Graduates in key sectors. The province invited:
– 46 candidates in childcare occupations (minimum score: 60)
– 26 in construction roles (minimum score: 75)
– 39 in healthcare professions (minimum score: 60)
– Fewer than five in veterinary care (minimum score: 60)
In addition to the targeted draws, B.C. also held a general draw on the same date, issuing 102 invitations across five immigration streams. These draws reflect the province’s dynamic and responsive approach to addressing its ever-evolving labour market needs.
Candidates selected through a provincial program are typically issued an Expression of Interest (EOI), and can proceed in one of two ways. The Base PNP stream allows applicants to apply directly to a province for permanent residency. The Enhanced PNP stream, on the other hand, connects with Canada’s Express Entry system, offering successful candidates an automatic 600-point boost in their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score — almost guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in upcoming federal draws.
Quebec, which operates independently from the federal PNP framework, also issued invitations through its own tailored selection process. The Quebec system focuses on French language proficiency and specific economic contributions to the province.
Across the country, provinces are leveraging their nominee programs to attract skilled workers in high-demand sectors, helping to fill labour shortages and support local economies. As Canada’s population ages and workforce needs grow, such targeted immigration efforts remain central to the country’s immigration strategy.
Maple News will continue to monitor weekly provincial updates and provide insights into how these trends affect immigration pathways and candidates’ chances of Canadian permanent residence.