Prince Edward Island issued 46 Invitations to Apply (ITA)  to candidates in its latest Express Entry, Labour Stream draw of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).

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The March 2 to attract more workers to the island province came less than a month after the premiers of all four Atlantic Canadian provinces met to discuss, among other issues, ways to boost immigration to the region.Prince Edward Island and rest of Atlantic Canada is bullish on immigration 

“Labour shortages are being felt nationwide by communities and economies,” the premiers noted in a statement. 

“Immigration and the retention of international students who come to Atlantic Canada to further their education are critical to the continued growth of the region. Atlantic Canada is a prime destination for those looking to move to or within Canada and has proven itself to be an ideal location to pilot new immigration programs. Provincial-federal cooperation will be key to finding solutions to the labour challenges facing Canadian industries.”

During that meeting the premiers banded together to discuss ho immigration to Atlantic Canada could be increased by streamlining processing to reduce duplication, expanding the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot to the rest of the region, and adding temporary and permanent resident streams and pathways for healthcare professionals, targeted projects, and seasonal industries.

Last year, the Island set a new immigration record with 2,665 new permanent residents, or 50 more than the 2,615 newcomers to the province the previous year, the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals.

Provincial Nominee Program is the most popular way to immigrate to Prince Edward Island

The lion’s share of those who immigrated to Prince Edward Island last year arrived through the province’s PNP program. Those 1,685 immigrants comprised roughly 62.2 per cent of all new permanent residents to the province last year. 

The new,  higher level of immigration last year was almost nine per cent above the 2,445 new permanent residents who immigrated to Prince Edward Island in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the seven years since 2015, immigration to the province has more than doubled, jumping 123.9 per cent from 1,190 new permanent residents to last year’s level.

Through its PNP program, Prince Edward Island sends out ITAs to candidates for its business as well as labour streams. But most of the ITAs, 94 per cent, sent out in the past 12 months have gone to those hoping to immigrate through the labour stream.

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018 and has made monthly draws ever since, with some disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Under the labour impact category, Prince Edward Island offers two streams, the Skilled Worker and Critical Worker streams.

Labour impact category of PEI PNP offers two streams for those wanting to work on the Island

The employer-driven Skilled Worker stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

• have a full-time, non-seasonal (permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in a high skilled occupation defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• have at least two years of full‐time work experience in the past five years;
• have a valid work permit to be working in Canada;
• have legal status in country of residence;
• have successfully completed a post‐secondary degree or diploma (minimum two-year program);
• be between the ages of 18 and 59;
• have sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered;
• have sufficient financial resources for the applicant and family to pay all immigration costs (including travel expenses) to be able to establish in PEI, and;
• demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

The language requirements can be demonstrated by one of the following:

• a language test from an IRCC approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4, or;
• a PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form indicating employer is comfortable with the employee’s proficiency in English and/or French to perform tasks associated with the job position being offered.

The Critical Worker Stream is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. 

The primary criteria for nomination are:

• a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate skilled position , defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 4 or 5;
• have worked a minimum of six months full-time for the PEI employer;
• have a valid work permit and legal status in Canada;
• possess a minimum education of secondary school diploma;
• be between the ages of 18 and 59;
• have a minimum two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years;
• provide a language test from an IRCC-approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4;
• have sufficient financial resources to pay all immigration costs (including travel expenses) for the applicant and family to be able to establish in PEI, and;
• demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.