Two Canadian provinces have invited candidates in the past two weeks of draws under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
These draws took place around the same time that Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new selection categories for Express Entry candidates, which could include those who are also in the PNP.
IRCC says that not all draws going forward will be for the new categories and Express Entry PNP draws will continue to take place.
Selection category draws mirror many PNP streams. All of Canada’s provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) also hold PNP draws to invite candidates in specific occupational fields or for specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes, or for language their language ability. For example, there are PNP immigration streams in most provinces specifically for tech or healthcare workers. British Columbia has targeted draws for healthcare workers almost every week.
Immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal and provincial governments. The PNP allows provincial governments to nominate economic immigration candidates for permanent residence who they feel will be able to easily economically establish within the nominating province. It also allows provinces to efficiently target candidates who can help fill regional job vacancies.
Provincial immigration results May 23-June 2
British Columbia
British Columbia held PNP draws on May 23 and 30.
The May 23 results showed that the province invited more than 140 candidates over four draws. The largest draw invited 103 candidates from the Skilled Worker and International Graduates streams (including Express Entry candidates) in a draw targeting tech occupations. They required a minimum Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score of 90.
There were also 20 candidates invited in a targeted draw for early childhood educators and assistants, 17 were targeted in a draw for healthcare workers and less than five others were invited in a draw for other priority occupations. Each of the three draws had a minimum SIRS score requirement of 60.
The largest draw on May 30 was a general draw (one that did not target any specific occupation or field) that invited 151 candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Streams. The minimum SIRS score ranged from 85-107.
The remaining three draw categories were identical to those from the previous week. There were 26 early childhood educators and assistants, 14 healthcare workers and less than five invited from other priority occupations. Again, these candidates needed a minimum SIRS score of 60.
Manitoba
Manitoba invited 589 candidates from three streams on June 1.
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates from two separate categories. The first category was for 262 candidates with work experience in the following NOC major groups:
- 11 – Professional occupations in finance and business
- 13 – Administrative occupations and transportation logistics occupations
- 21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences
- 42 – Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services
- 44 – Care providers and legal and public protection support occupation
Candidates in this draw needed a minimum score of 607.
The remaining 240 Skilled Workers who were invited did not require a specific occupation. These candidates had minimum scores of 669.
The province also invited 56 candidates under the International Graduate stream and 31 Skilled Workers Overseas with minimum scores of 801.
Additionally, Manitoba held a draw on May 25 inviting 29 candidates through the Special Measures for Ukraine Act. This is a category that targets Ukrainian nationals who also meet the eligibility criteria for a MPNP immigration stream.
