I think in the email sent to you by the Province informing you of your nomination, there is a caption in the email restated as follows:
"PLEASE NOTE:
Ensure you include valid IELTS General Training or CELPIP test result in your application for permanent residence. IRCC will return your full application if you don’t include valid language tests (taken within the last two years) or if your application is incomplete."
A valid IELTS test result is the one that is not more than 2 years old. As such, for your application not to be returned by IRCC, you need to include a valid IELTS General Training or CELPIP test result with your application.
I hope this clears the fog!