PNP draws were held in 4 Canadian provinces before FMRI’s meeting. On November 17, 2023, the Federation of Ministers Responsible for Immigration held a discussion. Mar Miller had a meeting with the immigration ministers in Toronto. FMRI is made up of ministers who convene twice a year. The FMRI is a body that forms decisions intending to assist Canada in having an efficient, fast, and adaptable immigration system. Its goal is to improve Canada’s immigration laws and initiatives while advancing shared immigration interests.
FMRI discussions
After the meeting, Minister Miller gave a press conference where he restated many remarks made when the Immigration Levels Plan 2024–2026 was first announced. He also explained that his department thinks the Plan will contribute to Canada’s sustainable population growth while bringing much-needed support for the building and healthcare industries.
Following the conference, the federal and provincial immigration ministers issued a statement summarizing the main topics of discussion, which included:
- Cutting processing times and eliminating duplication in federal-provincial economic class immigration schemes.
- Encouraging the immigration of francophones outside of Quebec.
- Implementing an economic immigration system that is more client-centered and responsive.
- Lowering obstacles and expediting the recognition of foreign credentials.
- Investigating the ways in which governments might cooperate to alleviate the strain on social services, housing, and infrastructure.
- Extending the eligibility for settlement assistance, especially for those requesting asylum and those temporarily residing in a country with a clear path to permanent residency.
- Enhancing Canada’s International Student Program’s Integrity.
- Coordinating work permits with the demands of the regional and local labor markets.
Multi-year Provincial Levels Plan to benefit the provinces
The latest FMRI meeting was held in March in Halifax. Furthermore, the FMRI discussed introducing a multi-year level plan for the PNP. This indicates that the provinces and territories can now access their PNP allocations for the preceding three years in advance. Earlier, the provinces only received suggestions regarding the number of immigrants they must select for the Provincial Nominee Program each year at a given time.
However, a multi-year plan can prove advantageous for the provinces. This means they can offer the newcomers adequate housing, settlement services, infrastructure, and healthcare. In addition, they can provide equally to those already residing in the province.
Besides, the immigration ministers discussed other substantial challenges, such as:
- Enhancing recognition for international education.
- In-demand professionals can have a better and more convenient process. This implies that they can get to work at a faster pace, particularly in occupations like healthcare and construction.
- Extending the Atlantic Advantage Immigration Program as well as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Immigration is a mutual responsibility
Due to Canada’s Constitution, which assigns shared responsibility for immigration, IRCC maintains tight ties with the provinces and territories. Provinces may choose some economic immigration applicants who are most likely to boost local economies and integrate into the province workforce under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the laws governing Canada’s federal and provincial immigration system.
Despite this, the IRCC retains the final say over whether or not a nominated individual is granted permanent residence in Canada.
PNPs are absent from all but Quebec and Nunavut. Quebec has complete control over economic immigration into the province thanks to a separate agreement with the federal government.
PNP draws were held in 4 Canadian provinces before FMRI’s meeting
PNP draws occurred in 4 Canadian provinces before FMRI’s meeting in Toronto. Here’s the breakdown of the results of each Canadian province:
PNP draw held in British Columbia before FMRI’s meeting
On November 16, British Columbia issued ITAs to over 219 candidates in the latest draw of the British Columbia PNP. The most significant draw was a general draw in which the province sent 116 invitations to candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Streams. Based on each stream, the minimum score range was between 94 and 115.
The other four draws were targeted at Skilled Workers and International Graduates in particular professions.
- 59 – Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
- 32 – Healthcare
- Below 5 – Other Priority Occupations
These four draws had the lowest score of 60. British Columbia also conducted the first targeted draw for candidates working in the Construction Occupations. This province issued ITAs to 12 Skilled Worker candidates and International Graduate candidates. The minimum score turned out to be 75.
Manitoba
Manitoba issued invitations to 301 candidates to apply on November 16 and conducted four draws for those in three streams. Along with Manitoba’s Skilled Workers, the province invited 100 candidates with a minimum score of 809 to apply in a general draw.
The Skilled Workers also had an occupation-specific second draw that acknowledged the NOC Codes from homecare, education, and healthcare.
The rest of the draws had invited 61 International Education Stream candidates as well as 48 candidates under the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream. The minimum score was 721.
Prince Edward Island
On November 16, Prince Edward Island issued invitations to 141 candidates under the PEI Provincial Nominee Program. The province also invited 134 candidates under the Labor Express Entry who occupied a job under any PEI employer. The minimum EOI was 55.
A small draw also occurred for those under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream. 7 candidates received invitations with a minimum score of 80.
Overall, in the previous 1 year, this province issued invitations to 2527 candidates.
Alberta
On November 9, Alberta issued invitations to 16 Express Entry candidates. The candidates had an Alberta Job Stream under the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway. They required the lowest score under the Comprehensive Ranking System of over 300.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program depicts that candidates under this stream might have to wait two months for the final decision.
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