The province of Nova Scotia has announced full details of its new Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry immigration stream, which replaces the previous Regional Labour Market Demand stream. The new immigration stream, which opens with immediate effect, is within the scope of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that allow Canadian provinces to select potential immigrants based on local labour market needs.
The NSNP is an immigration selection program that allows the Government of Nova Scotia to nominate to the Canadian government individuals who can meet provincial labour market and economic needs and who intend to establish themselves in Nova Scotia. A nominee, along with his or her spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under the age of 19, approved under this program may become permanent residents of Canada following approval by the Canadian government.
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream is ed with Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) Express Entry immigration selection system, which came into operation at 12 p.m. Eastern Time today.
The stream provides up to 350 new provincial immigration nominations, bringing Nova Scotia’s total in 2015 to 1,050, up from 700 in 2014, which represents an increase of 50 per cent in Nova Scotia’s total quota of provincial nominations. Potential applicants must be highly skilled, have post-secondary education and qualifications that will help them successfully settle in Nova Scotia. They must also demonstrate their intention to reside in the province.
Potential candidates are assessed according to a points grid that measures education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether the candidate has an arranged job offer from a Nova Scotia-based employer.
Potential candidates must also have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the past five years in one of 29 skilled eligible occupations deemed in-demand. The provincial government has stated that this list is subject to change at any moment. At the time of writing, the eligible occupations list includes:
- Financial Auditors and Accountants
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Human Resources Professionals
- Purchasing Agents and Officers
- Geoscientists and Oceanographers
- Civil Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Electrical and Electronic Engineers
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
- Computer Engineers
- Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
- Database Analysts and Data Administrators
- Software Engineers
- Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
- Web Designers and Developers
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Drafting Technologists and Technicians
- Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
- User Support Technicians
- Registered Nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists’ Assistants
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Psychologists
- Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors
- Financial Sales Representatives
There are two categories under the stream. Category 1 requires candidates to have an arranged job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from a Nova Scotia employer. Category 2 requires candidates to have at least one year of continuous full-time (or 1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in part-time paid work experience in the last five years in one of the occupations listed above.
There are two application routes to Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, either you apply directly to Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) or you have been selected from the Express Entry pool by the NSOI. In either case, the principal applicant will need to submit a complete application to NSOI.
Applications for the stream are treated as an expression of interest, and the provincial government has said that it may not process each and every application received.