The CIC’s report evaluated immigrants admitted under a PNP between 2005 and 2009. One of its main focuses was the economic success of these immigrants, and it found that average incomes ranged between $35,200 and $45,100 with 70 percent of those surveyed holding a job in line with their skills.

“Clearly provincial nominees have strong economic outcomes and are making a positive contribution to Canada,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

According to the report, PNPs are effective in helping spread the benefits of immigration across the country, which was the original raison d’être of their creation. The report quantifies that by stating that today 26 percent of all economic immigrants are destined for provinces other than Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, compared to 11 percent in 1997.

The report did have some suggestions for improvement, including:

• Recommended minimum language requirements.
• Closer correlations between eligible occupations and local labour market needs.
• Better coordination between provincial and federal bodies when processing PNP applications to prevent fraud.
• Encouragement of the development of official language minority communities through alterations to the respective PNPs.

In 2012, Canada plans to admit between 42,000 and 45,000 immigrants under the PNP category, including spouse and dependents. For some provinces, like Manitoba, the PNP has accounted for more than three quarters of its total yearly immigration.

To find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration under a Provincial Nominee Program, you can fill out our free online assessment form.