Five Canadian provinces have invited candidates to apply through provincial immigration programs.All provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). These programs allow provincial governments to nominate the candidates they feel are best suited to integrate into the provincial economy. A provincial nomination makes a candidate’s application for permanent residency much stronger.
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shares responsibility for immigration with provincial governments. Immigration Minister Marc Miller met with his provincial counterparts recently to discuss shared priorities. These meetings take place twice a year and help inform IRCC on how to use immigration as an effective tool to promote the economic well-being of Canada’s provinces.
Some of the topics in the November 18 meeting included reducing duplication among federal-provincial economic class immigration programs and reducing processing times, reducing barriers, and streamlining foreign credential recognition. They also discussed exploring how governments can work together to address pressures on housing, infrastructure, and social services and aligning work permits with provincial-territorial labour market needs.
Quebec has a separate agreement with the federal government that gives the province total autonomy over the selection of its economic immigrants. However, IRCC still makes the final decision regarding permanent resident status for those who receive a Quebec Selection Certificate.
Provincial immigration results November 25 – December 1
Ontario
Ontario held a draw of the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream on November 30.The province invited 1,052 Express Entry candidates in healthcare occupations to apply for provincial nomination provided they have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 404 and 430.
Eligible candidates must be able to demonstrate that they intend to live in Ontario after they eventually receive permanent resident status. Some of the things the province checks to prove a candidate’s ties to the province include employment (or looking for employment in the province), leasing or owning property or professional and personal relationships.
British Columbia
British Columbia invited 185 BC PNP candidates over four draws on November 28.The largest was a general draw for 80 candidates in the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams. Minimum scores ranged from 94 to 116.
The remaining three draws were targeted.
- 49 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants with a minimum score of 60;
- 27 Construction occupation candidates with a minimum score of 75; and
- 29 candidates in healthcare occupations with a minimum score of 60
The province also held four draws on November 21 for Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates. The province invited 93 candidates in tech occupations with a minimum score of 94 as well as:
- 27 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants with a minimum score of 60;
- 24 candidates with construction occupations and a minimum score of 75; and
- 17 candidates with healthcare occupations
Quebec
On November 16 Quebec invited 1210 candidates to apply for permanent selection. No occupations were targeted, and candidates required a minimum score of 609 to be eligible.All candidates required a level 7 oral proficiency (or higher) in French according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français or its equivalent;
Manitoba
Manitoba invited candidates in a draw on November 30.The province invited 148 candidates through the Skilled Worker stream who can demonstrate that they have a close relative in Manitoba. They also required a minimum score of 609.This is the first such draw this year.
To be eligible under this stream, candidates needed to be able to show proof that a close relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle) had been living in the province for at least one year.Manitoba also invited 82 candidates in the International Education Stream and 38 Skilled Workers Overseas candidates with a minimum score of 720.
Prince Edward Island
On November 30 PEI invited 69 candidates through the Labour and Express Entry stream of the PEI PNP.Invitations were issued to candidates who had occupations in healthcare, manufacturing, food processing and construction sectors.In the past 12 months the province has invited 2,528 candidates through this stream.
