Manitoba has invited a total of 291 skilled workers to apply for a provincial nomination in its first draw of 2018, including 155 Express Entry candidates.
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited 119 candidates in its Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream to apply, with the lowest ranked candidate invited at a score of 520. An additional 172 skilled workers were invited under the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream, including 17 in the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream and the 155 candidates in the new Manitoba Express Entry Pathway.
The draw was the first time that Manitoba made use of the Express Entry Pathway, which was created as part of a general restructuring of the MPNP in November 2017.
The MPNP conducts draws based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system wherein potential candidates submit an EOI to the province and their profiles are assigned a score based on the answers provided. The highest scoring candidates from the EOI pool receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) for a provincial nomination from the Government of Manitoba.
- Would you like to find out if you are eligible for the MPNP, or another Canadian immigration program? Fill out our free online assessment.
Both skilled workers in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas candidates who received an LAA in the latest draw, and whose application for a provincial nomination is approved, may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System score.
The Government of Manitoba announced a number of changes to the MPNP on November 15, 2017 some of which came into effect immediately. Other changes are expected to roll out throughout this year.
For an in-depth analysis of the January 11 draw, please refer to this article on CICNews.com.
January 11 MPNP EOI draw for skilled workers
| Stream/Category | Minimum score required to receive LAA | Number of invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Workers in Manitoba | 520 | 119 |
| Skilled Workers Overseas | 815 | 17 |
| Skilled Workers Overseas - Express Entry Pathway | 565 | 155 |
MPNP for Skilled Workers
The MPNP for Skilled Workers was established to help employers in Manitoba find foreign talent to complement their existing workforce. The government of Manitoba selects experienced workers who have made an Expression of Interest in immigrating to the province and who have the skills needed across the local labour market, and nominate them to receive a provincial nomination certificate from the MPNP. With this, the nominated person may then apply to the federal government for permanent resident status.
These immigration options may be particularly attractive to individuals who may not be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the federal Express Entry immigration selection system, as the eligibility requirements are different. For example, the MPNP awards points for language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 to candidates in certain occupations, a much lower threshold than what is required under the Federal Skilled Worker Class.
MPNP Skilled Workers in Manitoba
Under this sub-category of the MPNP, applications are accepted from qualified foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent job by their employer in Manitoba. Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment to determine their eligibility (though points are assigned to the candidate once he or she enters the pool of candidates)
Learn more about eligibility for the MPNP Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category.
MPNP Skilled Workers Overseas
This MPNP sub-category is for qualified skilled workers who may be outside Canada but who can demonstrate a strong connection to the province and its labour market. A points-based system is used to assess candidates according to factors such as age, language proficiency, work experience, education, and adaptability.
To learn more about eligibility for the MPNP Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category and the points assessment system.
Manitoba Profile
Population: 1.3 million
Capital and largest city: Winnipeg
Location: Manitoba is located in Central Canada and is considered one of the three "Prairie" provinces. Ontario lies to the east, with Saskatchewan sharing the western border. The US states of Minnesota and North Dakota are to the south, and the sparsely-populated north of the province has a long coastline on Hudson Bay leading to a border with the territory of Nunavut.
Economy: Manitoba’s principal industries are mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. Traditionally farming has been a major occupation for Manitobans, and the rich farmlands in southern Manitoba produce wheat, barley, oats, sunflower, flax and canola crops, as well as dairy and livestock farms. From this agricultural base, a considerable food processing industry has emerged. In addition, Manitoba is home to considerable manufacturing, aerospace and transportation industries. Winnipeg has a sizable financial and insurance industry, as well as government administration and services.
Climate: Manitoba is far from the moderating influences of mountain ranges or large bodies of water. Moreover, given its size, it experiences great variations in temperature. In Southern Manitoba, where the vast majority of the population resides, cold, snowy winters are the norm. Summers are typically hot and dry, with short transitional seasons ensuring that residents get a full four-season experience.