Manitoba is working on a strategic plan to boost its economic immigration through its newly-formed Advisory Council on Economic Immigration and Settlement (ACEIS).

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“Our government continues to work to advance Manitoba’s economic immigration priorities, particularly addressing labour shortages, encouraging economic development and supporting Manitoba’s francophone population,” said the province’s Immigration Minister Jon Reyes. 

Manitoba has already upped its nominations limit

In a report earlier this year, Manitoba’s Immigration Advisory Council (IAC) recommended the development of a provincial economic immigration and settlement strategy. 

In 70 recommendations, the IAC outlined how an economic immigration strategy would:

• attract more immigrants and business investors to Manitoba;
• streamline the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), setting the right balance between the province’s regional labour market, economic development and community needs, and;
• enhance Manitoba’s settlement, integration and foreign credential recognition programs and services to bolster newcomer retention.

Members of the advisory council were appointed in July to serve for one year.

“Making settling in Manitoba more accessible will contribute to the economy and social fabric of our province,” said ACEIS vice-chair Enver Naidoo.

“I’m pleased to have a voice in implementing the IAC’s recommendations and making settlement easier while targeting labour market shortages in Manitoba.”

Manitoba immigration has already moved on five of the recommendations of the IAC report, including:

• requesting additional MPNP allocations and receiving 9,500 nominations for 2023, which meets the goal to boost the number of allocations to Manitoba;
• conducting targeted MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) draws to select candidates working in Manitoba in occupations with high levels of reported labour shortages, and;
• doubling the investment in the Newcomer Community Connections Stream of the Newcomer Community Integration Support Program to $4 million to fund 24 direct service providers to enhance settlement and integration services and programs in Manitoba, including six projects in communities outside Winnipeg. 

“Manitoba continues to lead the way for immigration programs in our country, offering a safe space for immigrants from all over the globe with a variety of skills and experiences to build their own futures while significantly contributing to our society,” said Reyes.

“With leadership from ACEIS members, I know we can continue to make great strides in building Manitoba’s economic growth through immigration.”

Network of PNPs lets foreign nationals immigrate to Canada under a two-tiered system

Under a shared jurisdiction between Ottawa and the provinces, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.

Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. 

Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.