According to Maple News, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has already reached its nomination caps for three key sectors during its first intake window of 2024. The capped sectors — accommodation and food services, retail trade, and trucking — are part of a managed intake system to fairly distribute employment-based nomination allocations throughout the year.
The first intake window opened on January 13 and was quickly filled. Accommodation and food services, along with retail trade, hit their maximum submission limits within just one day. The trucking sector followed, reaching its cap by January 20. These positions are part of the SINP’s annual allocation for employer-driven applications in specific sectors experiencing high demand for workers.
For this intake round, limits were set at 180 positions for accommodation and food services, 60 for retail trade, and 60 for trucking, totaling 300 nomination spots across capped sectors. These figures reflect how Saskatchewan aims to distribute its provincial nominations in alignment with economic needs and federal immigration targets.
This year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allocated 4,761 nomination spaces to the SINP. Of these, 25% — approximately 1,190 nominations — are dedicated to the three capped sectors. The allocation may be adjusted mid-year to respond to labour market shifts or sector-specific demands.
Each capped sector also receives a percentage distribution of nominations per intake window and for the year. For instance, accommodation and food services receive 15% per intake period and 60% annually of the capped allocation, while retail trade and trucking each receive 20% per intake and 5% overall for the year.
The SINP has structured six intake windows for 2024 to manage demand and ensure equitable access for employers and workers. The next opportunity to submit applications in capped sectors will begin on March 2. With rapid closures in the previous window, employers and prospective nominees are advised to prepare in advance.
Given Saskatchewan’s dynamic labour market and ongoing demand in key sectors, the SINP continues to play a strategic role in addressing workforce gaps through targeted immigration pathways. Maple News will continue to monitor updates on SINP allocations and program changes throughout the year.