Why Western Canada is Growing in Popularity as a Place for New Canadians

How Are Western Provinces Recruiting Newcomers?

Each of the Western provinces has specific employment opportunities based on the dominant industries and economies in the province. Those opportunities help determine which categories and skills they look for in the Express Entry pool. Here we outline two PNPs (Provincial Nominee Programs).

British Columbia

In less than two months in early 2017, British Columbia offered 2,074 Invitations to Apply (ITA) through the BC PNP program. Almost half of those offers were issued to individuals who graduated from post- secondary studies and other full-time students in post graduate studies.

The BC PNP has two streams: Express Entry BC and the Skills Immigration programs SIRS is a points-based system in which candidates are assigned a score based on their qualifications and information provided upon registration.

The candidates are ranked according to different sub-categories that correspond with provincial employment needs. This score and ranking determine whether an individual will receive an Invitation to Apply.

A potential candidate must have a full-time offer of employment from a qualified British Columbia employer who supports the application process through PNP. The job offer must be valid and can’t have an end date. Candidates applying under the International Post-Graduate category do not need an offer of employment.

Candidates who are applying under the following categories do not need to register with SIRS:

• Skills Immigration—Health Care Professional
• Skills Immigration—International Post-Graduate
• Express Entry BC—Health Care Professional
• Express Entry BC—International Post-Graduate

In the last round of invitations for accelerated application to British Columbia there were a few spots reserved by the Entrepreneur Immigration system, which is not a part of the SIRS application system.

This system is targeted to business people who can operate and invest in viable businesses that are beneficial to the provincial economy.

The SIRS stream helps the BC PNP match qualifying applicants to the changing opportunities and needs within the province more quickly and transparently.

Manitoba

in 2017, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) also has issued a significant number of invitations or Letter of Advice to Apply to applicants under their Skilled Workers Immigration and Skilled Workers Overseas categories.

MPNP uses a points system to assess the eligibility of applicants. Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by answering a series of online questions. These responses are scored, which determines the points an application has. In addition to the points, several factors—such as language proficiency and work experience—are ranked and the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply through the MPNP.

It’s important for candidates to understand the EOI is not an application. It simply expresses your interest to apply for Permanent Resident status through MPNP. The candidates who are invited to apply still must meet all the eligibility requirements of MPNP.

Get Guidance from Immigration Experts

The Western provinces are welcoming immigration because there is a growing need for a skilled workforce. Governments have answered the demand with fast-tracked application systems that accommodate the increase in immigration while providing a framework to ensure newcomers can fill vital roles in their provinces.

But the application process can be complex. The PNPs can change quickly and some programs refuse to consider candidates who are actively pursuing opportunities in other provinces.