IRCC held a new PNP draw under Express Entry
On July 16, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the fourth Express Entry draw for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates of the year. IRCC issued 1,391 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates in the PNP-targeted draw. In round #303, the cut-off score was 670 pointsб, 69 points fewer than in the previous PNP-targeted draw, held on July 12, 2024. The tie-breaking rule for this round was May 04, 2024, at 13:27:31 UTC. As of July 16, 2024, 216,457 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. In 2024, Canada has already issued 54,515 invitations through the regular Express Entry draws.
Ontario invited candidates under three Employer Job Offer Streams
On July 16, 2024, the Government of Ontario held new draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW), International Student Stream (EJO IS), and In-Demand Skills Stream (EJO IDS) of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The province issued five invitations to apply (ITAs) in a targeted draw for Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates through the EJO FW Stream. OINP invited 839 individuals in a targeted draw for other priority occupations under the EJO IS Stream with a minimum score of 77. Finally, under the EJO IDS, the province invited 265 candidates in a general draw with a minimum score of 35. In total, OINP issued invitations to 30,661 candidates in 2024.
British Columbia issued invitations to 72 candidates
On July 16, 2024, the Government of British Columbia held new invitation draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) and issued invitations to apply to qualified candidates in tech, healthcare, childcare, construction, and veterinary care occupations. In the tech draw, the province invited 34 candidates. The minimum score for candidates invited in this draw was 122 points. BC issued nine ITAs to candidates under the childcare-targeted draw for early childhood educators (NOC 42202) with a minimum score of 94. British Columbia invited 14 candidates who scored 104 points in the Healthcare-targeted draw. The province also issued ten invitations to candidates working in the construction sector. To get an ITA, candidates needed to receive 95 points or more. Furthermore, up to five invitations have been issued to candidates working in veterinary care occupations. Thus, British Columbia issued up to 72 ITAs in this draw. In 2024, the province has already invited up to 3,754 candidates.
Stakeholders welcome new Saskatchewan immigration services act
The recently introduced Saskatchewan Immigration Services Act, effective July 1, has garnered positive reactions from stakeholders. The Regina Open Door Society praised the act for its enhanced support framework for newcomers, emphasizing its role in strengthening regulatory oversight and legal protections. This new legislation, replacing the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act (FWRISA), centralizes immigration authorities and aims to protect foreign workers from exploitation. Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison highlighted the act’s importance in attracting newcomers to fill labour market needs and maintain program integrity. The act includes increased fines and stricter oversight of immigration recruiters and employers.
