Maple News reports that Saskatchewan has introduced two new immigration pathways under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as part of efforts to respond to labor shortages in critical sectors. Announced on August 30, the new streams—Agriculture Talent Pathway and Health Talent Pathway—form part of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and aim to attract skilled foreign workers to support the province’s workforce demands.
Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Immigration and Career Training, emphasized that the new pathways are designed to bridge hiring gaps in the province’s most essential industries. “With labour shortages reported across the country, creating new provincial immigration pathways and streamlining our credential recognition process will help employers in Saskatchewan acquire the workforce needed to grow their businesses,” Harrison stated.
The Agriculture Talent Pathway is tailored to meet growing demand in Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry. Agriculture remains central to the provincial economy, with over $3.2 billion in export value from key crop sectors recorded in 2023. This pathway provides a route for experienced agricultural workers to gain permanent residency in Saskatchewan if they meet specific eligibility criteria.
Eligible candidates for the Agriculture Talent Pathway must meet several baseline requirements. These include a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4, at least a high school diploma, and recent work experience either in the relevant occupation for one year in the past three years, or a minimum of six months with the Saskatchewan employer providing the job offer. In addition, candidates must hold a full-time permanent job offer in the province’s agriculture sector and a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from their employer.
Parallel to this, the Health Talent Pathway is now the centralized stream for all healthcare immigration under SINP. This move is part of Saskatchewan’s wider Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan aimed at improving talent acquisition and retention in healthcare. The streamlined process is expected to make it easier for qualified international health professionals to settle and work in Saskatchewan.
Both pathways are reflections of Saskatchewan’s strategic approach to immigration: targeting sectors with acute labor shortages and encouraging long-term residency and workforce participation. The province continues to demonstrate strong commitment to attracting and retaining international talent in ways that support both economic growth and public service delivery.
As Canada continues to evolve its immigration strategies to better serve regional labor needs, programs like these highlight the value of province-specific solutions within the broader national framework. Saskatchewan is clearly positioning itself as a destination of opportunity for international workers seeking long-term career prospects in high-demand sectors.