The province of Manitoba has invited a total of 443 skilled workers to settle in the province as permanent residents in a draw that took place on August 15. These candidates, plus their family members, are now in a position to apply for immigration to Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
The MPNP is a Canadian immigration program that allows the province of Manitoba to welcome new immigrants who have the ability to establish themselves and their families in Manitoba, based on eligibility criteria set by the province.
For skilled workers, the MPNP operates an 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) system whereby interested persons submit a formal EOI. Once this is done, they are assigned a points total based on their personal factors. The highest-ranked candidates are then issued a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA), which effectively acts in the same way as an invitation. Following a successful nomination, a candidate may then apply to the federal government for permanent resident status.
In the August draw, 401 candidates were issued a LAA under the criteria for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category. The ranking score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate was 585 — the lowest cut-off threshold for this sub-category in any draw since last September
The remaining 42 LAAs were issued to candidates in the Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category who were invited directly by the MPNP under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. Each of these candidates had 719 or more points.
Strategic initiatives include:
- Recruitment missions. These overseas employment/immigration fairs involve MPNP representatives interviewing foreign skilled workers and subsequently inviting them to apply after they have made a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) to the MPNP.
- Exploratory visits. The MPNP may invite people who have undertaken a pre-approved Exploratory Visit and passed an interview with a program official.
Candidates eligible for one of the MPNP for Skilled Workers sub-categories are ranked according to a unique points system that awards up to 1,000 points to each candidate.
August 15 MPNP EOI draw for skilled workers
| Sub-category | Minimum score required to receive LAA | Number of invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Workers in Manitoba | 585 | 401 |
| Skilled Workers Overseas | 719 | 42 |
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 principle 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.