British Columbia (B.C.), Quebec, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) have conducted new rounds of invitations for their provincial immigration programs between August 17 and 23, 2024. These invitations were issued through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in B.C. and PEI, while Quebec followed its own immigration process. Each province aims to select candidates who are well-suited to contribute to their economic growth.
Canada’s immigration framework allows provinces and territories to manage PNPs, selecting individuals that meet local labor market demands. The federal government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allocates a set number of nominations to each province, enabling them to select economic immigrants based on their provincial needs.
Provincial Nominee Program Updates for August 2024
British Columbia
On August 20, B.C. invited 156 candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The invitations were issued across four separate draws, all within the Skilled Immigration category:
- General Draw: 83 candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams, with minimum scores of 130 (110 for Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled).
- Occupation-Specific Draws:
- 38 invitations in childcare occupations (minimum score: 85).
- 20 invitations in construction occupations (minimum score: 89).
- 15 invitations in healthcare occupations (minimum score: 99).
B.C. holds regular draws for its immigration programs, typically on a weekly basis.
Quebec
Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) published the results of a draw held on August 8. A total of 1,415 candidates were invited under the Regular Skilled Worker Program. To qualify, candidates required a minimum score of 576 points, alongside a level 7 (or higher) proficiency in French as per the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français.
Prince Edward Island
PEI conducted its first immigration draw in over a month on August 22, inviting 57 candidates through its Labour and Express Entry stream. The focus was on healthcare and construction professionals currently working in the province. Additionally, individuals in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and trucking with expiring work permits in 2024 were also considered.
These provincial immigration draws demonstrate ongoing efforts by B.C., Quebec, and PEI to address workforce needs and support economic growth through targeted immigration programs.