Three Canadian provinces have announced their nominations for candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP programs or streams, excluding Quebec and Nunavut, are designed to address economic goals and alleviate labor shortages in the provinces. Furthermore, these programs also prioritize French-speaking newcomers to promote the prominence of the French language outside of Quebec. The recent updates to the federal Express Entry system have influenced the selection process for candidates.
Provincial Nominee Programs and Recent Changes
The PNP programs offered by Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) are focused on identifying individuals who can contribute to the economic development of the region. The programs target candidates with specific skills or qualifications that align with the province’s requirements. Additionally, there are dedicated streams within these programs for French-speaking newcomers, aiming to enhance the presence of the French language outside of Quebec.
The recent updates to the federal Express Entry system have had a significant impact on the PNP streams. Candidates were previously selected solely based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. However, following the introduction of category-based selection, work experience in specific occupations now provides an advantage similar to the PNP. These changes allow provinces to nominate candidates based on their skill sets and occupation requirements.
British Columbia Nominations
British Columbia conducted four targeted draws on June 6, inviting a total of over 157 candidates. The invitations were extended to candidates in the Skilled Worker or International Graduate streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), including Express Entry candidates. The largest draw focused on tech occupations and invited 112 candidates who had a minimum Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score of 90. The other three draws required minimum SIRS scores of 60 and included early childhood educators and assistants, healthcare workers, and candidates from other priority occupations.
Ontario Nominations
On June 5, Ontario issued 278 notifications of interest to candidates in the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The province held two draws targeting candidates with occupations in Health, Education, Finance, Tech, Trades, and Other Priority sectors. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for the nominees ranged between 312 and 487. The candidates in this stream must demonstrate French-speaking abilities along with strong English skills and indicate their preferred assessment against the Federal Skilled Trades Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
Saskatchewan Nominations
Saskatchewan conducted its first draw of the month on June 8, inviting a total of 500 candidates under two programs of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This draw was slightly smaller than the previous one held on May 18, and candidates had to meet higher scoring requirements. The invitations were extended to 268 Express Entry candidates and 232 candidates from the Occupations-in-Demand stream. Candidates were selected based on their occupations matching specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes and had to achieve a minimum score of 69. Additionally, they were required to have Educational Credential Assessments.
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) continue to play a vital role in attracting skilled individuals to Canadian provinces. British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have recently announced their nominations under the PNP, targeting candidates with specific skills and qualifications. These nominations aim to address labor shortages, boost economic development, and promote linguistic diversity across the country. Candidates who receive provincial nominations must undergo a separate application process with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
