Canada’s four provinces held weekly PNP draws to nominate candidates. The nominating provinces include Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, & Prince Edward Island, which have invited potential candidates to apply for provincial nomination. 

Discover the latest Provincial Nomination Program draw results for these provinces and determine the targeted stream, required score, and total issued nominations for each province.

Canada’s PNP: What is it? 

Almost all provinces and territories in Canada have a PNP called the Provincial Nominee Program, which they employ to select and nominate potential candidates. The only exception to this is Quebec and Nunavut. 

The provincial government employs PNP to choose and invite economic immigrants who they believe are most inclined to economically establish themselves in the nominating province and integrate into the local labor force and economy. 

Generally, the PNP candidates are chosen according to the in-demand trait within the province. 

For instance, most provinces choose potential candidates skilled in specific occupations, i.e., Alberta has a dedicated healthcare pathway for Express Entry candidates. Also, some provinces invite candidates based on their language abilities, i.e., the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has a stream dedicated to French-speaking skilled workers.

In addition, to enhance the retention of international students, most PNPs have streams dedicated to international graduates within the region.

After a province chooses PNP candidates, they nominate them for Canada’s permanent resident status to Canada’s immigration department IRCC.   

Notably, receiving a provincial nomination does not guarantee PR to candidates. However, it strengthens candidates’ application. This is particularly true for the candidates of Express Entry, as they get an extra 600 CRS points for nomination, added to their initial score. 

Four Provinces Held Weekly PNP Draws: Unveiling the Draw Results 

Discover the draw results between Jan 13-19 as Canada’s four provinces held weekly PNP draws. These include Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, & Prince Edward Island. 

Ontario

The province of Ontario held its PNP draw on January 18, called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The province invited 984 candidates targetting the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Workers stream. 

The draw was general; thus, no specific occupation was targeted. 

To be invited under the OINP, candidates require a minimum score ranging between 317 and 469 and must also be in the Express Entry application pool. 

British Columbia (BC)

British Columbia held its PNP draw on January 16 to nominate potential candidates. The province considered candidates from the BC PNP’s Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams. 

Over 193 candidates received invitations in the five separate draws targetting specific occupations.

In its largest draw, BC invited 91 candidates skilled in tech occupations. Candidates required a minimum score of 103 to be eligible for this draw.

In another draw, the province issued 20 invitations to candidates skilled in construction occupations. The draw has a minimum required score of 75. 

The remaining three draws had an identical score requirement, i.e., 60, which candidates needed to receive a nomination. The targeted occupation and total number of candidates for each draw are as follows:

  • 53 candidates from Childcare 
  • 29 candidates from Healthcare 
  • less than five from Veterinary care

Alberta

Recently, the province of Alberta released its three PNP draws results under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These draws have occurred at different times in January. 

All candidates who received invitations were in the Express Entry application pool.

Alberta conducted two draws targeting candidates in the dedicated healthcare pathway with the Alberta job offer stream.

42 candidates received invitations in the first draw held on January 2 with a minimum score of 309. In the second draw held on January 16, candidates needed a 312 score to be eligible.  

Alberta’s third draw occurred on January 11, with the same score requirement of 312. A total of 44 candidates who met the eligibility requirement for the Priority sector – Agriculture occupation with Alberta job offer received invitations.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

On January 18, PEI held its PNP draw called PEI PNP to invite 134 candidates. The draw targeted candidates from the Express Entry, Skilled Worker, and Critical Worker Stream.  

Candidates must have a minimum score of 65 to be eligible for the draws. 

Notably, this was PEI’s first Express Entry draw of this year. The province of PEI invited 2,199 candidates between February and December 2023.