In the latest round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, three Canadian provinces—Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba—have issued invitations to potential immigrants. These invitations mark another step in Canada’s shared responsibility for immigration between the federal government, led by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and provincial authorities.
Each province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, operates its own PNP, allowing them to select candidates who meet their specific economic and workforce needs. Quebec, however, has a separate agreement with the federal government, granting it full autonomy over the selection of economic immigrants. The number of nominations allocated to each province depends on factors such as population size and workforce requirements, with larger provinces like Ontario receiving a higher allocation.
As per the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, the IRCC aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through PNPs this year alone.
Provincial Nomination Draws Held Between August 24-30
Ontario
On August 22, Ontario issued 1,287 notifications of interest to candidates in the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Eligible candidates needed to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 400 and 435, along with relevant work experience in a targeted occupation classified under specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
British Columbia
On August 27, British Columbia issued over 158 invitations to candidates under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, including Express Entry candidates, through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The province held five targeted draws, each focused on specific occupations. The required minimum score varied by occupation, including:
- 40 candidates in childcare occupations with a minimum score of 83
- 31 candidates in construction occupations with a minimum score of 88
- 18 candidates in healthcare occupations with a minimum score of 99
- 69 candidates in tech occupations with a minimum score of 118
- Fewer than five candidates in veterinary care occupations with a minimum score of 80
Manitoba
Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held a draw on August 30, inviting 150 candidates across two PNP streams. The International Education Stream saw 126 invitations issued, with no minimum score required. Additionally, 24 candidates were invited from the Skilled Worker Overseas stream through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score requirement of 727. Of all the invitations issued, 21 went to candidates with valid Express Entry profiles.
These provincial draws continue to provide pathways for skilled workers and graduates to contribute to Canada’s growing economy, offering opportunities for candidates to secure permanent residency through provincial and federal programs.