Ontario, BC, and Saskatchewan Invite Candidates in Latest Draws

This week, three Canadian provinces—Ontario, British Columbia (B.C.), and Saskatchewan—have issued invitations to immigration candidates through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

PNPs are mechanisms used by most Canadian provinces and territories (excluding Nunavut and Quebec) to address local labor market needs and demographic challenges by selecting skilled immigrants.

Ontario, after a hiatus of nearly two months, conducted two separate draws on June 11, 2024, under its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The first draw invited 124 candidates through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, targeting early childhood educators and assistants. 

Candidates with scores of 43 and above were invited. Concurrently, another draw under the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream invited 120 candidates with scores of 65 and above, also for early childhood educators and assistants.

British Columbia, on the same day, conducted a general draw through its British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). A total of 39 invitations were issued across five streams: Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker – Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option, International Graduate, International Graduate – EEBC option, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled. Minimum scores for eligibility ranged from 110 to 131, varying by stream.

Saskatchewan, marking its first provincial immigration draw since March 2024, conducted two draws on June 13 through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). 

The first draw, under the Express Entry stream, invited 88 candidates with professional work experience in specific occupations, each with a minimum score of 88. The second draw, under the Occupations In-Demand stream, invited 32 candidates with similar professional experience and the same minimum score requirement.

In all cases, candidates invited to apply either possessed an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or had been educated in Canada, aligning with provincial criteria to target specific occupational needs. Detailed information on eligible occupations for each draw is available through the SINP's website.

These provincial immigration initiatives reflect ongoing efforts by Canadian provinces to attract skilled workers who can contribute to regional economic growth. PNPs play a crucial role in Canada's immigration strategy, allowing provinces to address localized needs and demographic challenges while complementing federal immigration programs. 

This approach underscores the collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments in managing Canada's immigration system, with Quebec uniquely operating under its own immigration agreement distinct from PNPs.