Five of Canada’s provinces have nominated candidates through provincial immigration programs this week.
Immigration is a shared responsibility between federal and provincial governments. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) exists to allow provincial governments to select economic immigration candidates who are best suited to economically establish within the nominating province. This could be because the candidate has work experience in an occupation that is in demand within the province. Most PNPs have streams that target candidates in occupations such as healthcare, agriculture, and tech, all of which are employment sectors that are experiencing labour shortages.
Recently, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) adopted a similar approach on a federal level and has begun holding category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates. For example, on June 28, IRCC invited the first 500 Express Entry candidates based on their healthcare occupations. It is expected that 1,500 more will be invited on July 5, alongside a draw for candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations the same week.
Quebec does not have a PNP as it has a separate agreement with the federal government that allows the province to select all of its economic immigrants. Recently, Quebec has proposed changes to its provincial immigration criteria. Mainly, the province will require that all newcomers arrive in the province with strong French-speaking abilities.
Provincial immigration results June 23-29
Quebec
On June 22 the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration invited 1,006 skilled workers to apply for permanent selection in Quebec. Candidates required a minimum score of 626.
Invited candidates had a level 7 oral proficiency (or higher) in French according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, which is the Quebec scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants, or its equivalent.
Candidates may also have been invited if they had a job offer outside of the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
Alberta
This week Alberta published results for three draws under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) that occurred between June 20 and June 22.
In the June 20 draw, the province sent 68 notifications of interest (NOIs) to candidates in the Priority sector – Construction occupation with Alberta job offer stream. The lowest eligible Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 301.
On June 21, NOIs were issued to 19 candidates in the Designated Healthcare Pathway, Alberta job offer. The lowest-scoring candidate had a CRS score of 318
Finally, on June 22, Alberta sent NOIs to 125 candidates in the Family connection and primary occupation in demand with a CRS score no lower than 306. Candidates in this stream must have work experience in an occupation-in-demand and already have family living in the province such as a parent, spouse, or sibling.
British Columbia
British Columbia typically holds draws every week on Tuesdays. On June 27 the province invited more than 180 BC PNP candidates over four draws.
The largest was a general draw (including tech occupations). There were 130 candidates invited from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams. The minimum Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score ranged from 109 for International Graduates to 106 for Skilled Workers and 87 for Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled candidates.
The remaining three draws targeted Skilled Workers and International Graduates (including Express Entry candidates). There were 30 candidates invited as early childhood educators and assistants, 20 invited as healthcare professionals and less than five invited in other priority occupations.
Manitoba
Manitoba invited 49 people under a special measure for Ukrainians impacted by the ongoing unrest.
Those who receive invitations must still be eligible for the Skilled Workers Overseas pathway of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) as well as some other specific criteria such as:
- being a citizen of Ukraine;
- a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in each language band;
- having an established connection to Manitoba (close relative, family-like, community, previous employment, or studies in Manitoba);
- A valid language test;
- A score of at least 60 points according to MPNP assessment criteria; and
- The ability to satisfy all other requirements of the Skilled Worker Overseas pathway, including sufficient settlement funds.
The province says CUAET holders working in Manitoba for at least six months in any occupation may be eligible to apply to the MPNP under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway.
PEI
On June 29, Prince Edward Island invited 90 candidates to apply under its Labour and Express Entry categories. Canada’s smallest province tends to hold draws approximately every two weeks focusing on candidates with a local job offer or who graduated from a PEI institution, as well as candidates in the Express Entry pool.
