Maple News reports that Nova Scotia has announced a significant expansion to its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) aimed at international healthcare professionals. The update will make it easier for international graduates trained as paramedics and pharmacy technicians to apply for permanent residency in the province.
This policy change comes through an update to the province’s “International Graduates in Demand” (IGD) stream of the PNP. The expansion, jointly announced by Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health, and Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education, is designed to address critical workforce shortages in the provincial healthcare sector.
Previously, the IGD stream allowed immigration for international graduates trained in select fields, specifically nurse aides and early childhood educators. With the expansion, the eligible occupations now also include paramedics (NOC 32102) and pharmacy technicians (NOC 32124) under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.
Nova Scotia’s PNP is part of a broader federal-provincial agreement that allows provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, to select immigration candidates that best fit their local economic and labour market needs. This latest update aligns with the province’s intention to build a more sustainable healthcare workforce, especially in the wake of staffing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To qualify under the IGD stream, applicants must have completed relevant study programs in Nova Scotia and received job offers from local employers in the designated fields. These eligibility criteria ensure that the program targets capable and committed immigrants who are already familiar with the province’s cultural and professional environments.
By broadening its immigration pathways, Nova Scotia is not only addressing immediate labour shortages but also paving the way for international students to build long-term careers and communities within the province. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to retain skilled international graduates, particularly in essential services like healthcare.
The move is expected to have a positive impact on both the province and potential immigrants, offering a streamlined path to permanent residency while strengthening Nova Scotia’s public service infrastructure.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in provincial immigration strategies across Canada.