Maple News reports that five Canadian provinces—Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta—have issued invitations to immigration candidates under their respective provincial programs this week, underscoring Canada’s continued efforts to attract global talent through its decentralized immigration system.
Under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) can select skilled economic immigration candidates based on regional labor demands and economic priorities. These nominations significantly enhance a candidate’s chances when applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency, especially if they already have job offers or educational ties to the province.
Ontario led the week’s activity, issuing 2,359 invitations on December 14 through the Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Candidates targeted in this draw had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranging from 473 to 480 and were selected based on their experience in specific tech occupations. This continues Ontario’s strategy of addressing growing demand in IT and engineering sectors.
Although Quebec does not participate in the PNP, it maintains full control over its own economic immigration selection under a unique agreement with the federal government. Once candidates are chosen through Quebec’s programs, IRCC still finalizes the decision on permanent residency.
British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta also held draws this week, each leveraging their provincial programs to fill gaps in regional labor markets. While the exact numbers and focus areas for these provinces were not disclosed at press time, their continued participation reflects a broader national immigration strategy that balances federal targets with local economic needs.
The PNP is a key piece of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines anticipated annual newcomers based on various immigration streams. For 2024, Canada aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through PNPs, increasing to 120,000 annually in 2025 and 2026. These targets are divided among provinces in proportion to population size and economic conditions.
Various PNP pathways are available based on candidate profiles, including those tailored for international graduates, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and individuals with job offers in Canada. These diverse options allow provinces to attract the right talent while offering foreign applicants multiple routes to permanent residency.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on provincial immigration draws and federal policy changes impacting newcomers looking to settle and contribute to the Canadian economy.