Maple News reports that four Canadian provinces—Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island—held immigration draws this past week under their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These draws targeted skilled foreign workers in key sectors, aligning with the provinces’ labor market needs.
The majority of invitations were issued through economic immigration streams that evaluate candidates based on work experience, education, language proficiency, and employment ties to the province.
On November 21, Alberta invited 96 candidates through its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) under the Express Entry – Priority Sectors stream. The draw focused specifically on healthcare professionals who had valid job offers in Alberta. To qualify, applicants needed a CLB or NCLC score of at least 5, a minimum AAIP score of 42, a valid Express Entry profile expiring after April 21, 2025, and a minimum CRS score of 300. Additionally, appropriate provincial licensing was required for regulated occupations.
British Columbia held two rounds of draws through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) on November 26. The first was a general draw across five streams, including Skilled Worker and International Graduate pathways (with and without the Express Entry BC option) as well as the Entry Level & Semi-Skilled stream. A total of seven invitations were issued. Most streams required a minimum score of 146, while the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream required a score of 125.
The province also conducted a targeted draw under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, specifically selecting candidates employed in high-demand occupations. At least four invitations were issued in this round.
While details for Manitoba and Prince Edward Island’s most recent PNP draws were not immediately available, those provinces also participated in selection rounds during the same timeframe, continuing Canada’s strategy of regionalized and strategic immigration.
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs serve as an essential tool for provinces to attract skilled talent aligned with their economic priorities. These draws are especially beneficial for candidates already working or studying in Canada, as they often meet local labor market needs more directly.
Maple News will continue monitoring upcoming provincial immigration rounds as provinces adapt their selection criteria to match evolving workforce demands.