Maple News reports that immigrants who become permanent residents through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) tend to achieve better outcomes in Canada’s labour market compared to those who enter via the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
This insight comes from a joint study conducted by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which examined the link between immigration pathways and economic outcomes. One of the key findings is that prior Canadian work experience is a powerful predictor of successful employment integration.
The research highlights that a significant proportion of PNP and CEC immigrants were temporary foreign workers before obtaining permanent residency. Specifically, nearly all CEC applicants and about two-thirds of PNP applicants had prior work experience in Canada. In contrast, only about a quarter of FSWP and QSWP immigrants had such experience.
Many of these immigrants initially came to Canada as international students, later transitioning to temporary foreign workers through programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Their time in Canada gives them a competitive edge: familiarity with Canadian work culture, improved language skills, and a strong understanding of employer expectations.
As a result, 93% of PNP immigrants and 95% of CEC immigrants were employed within the first full year after becoming permanent residents—figures significantly higher than those of their counterparts from the FSWP and QSWP streams.
The findings strengthen the argument that Canadian experience—particularly through work or education—plays a crucial role in successful labour market integration. It also sheds light on the strategic advantage of choosing immigration pathways that build on prior Canadian exposure.
As the country aims to support economic growth through immigration, the PNP and CEC pathways continue to prove especially effective in aligning skilled newcomers with labour market needs.
According to Maple News, this growing body of evidence may influence future immigration policies, placing even greater emphasis on Canadian work and educational experience when selecting immigrants for permanent residency.