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The Government of Prince Edward Island is introducing new streams to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which will continue to build on the programs successful record of attracting business people and skilled workers to immigrate and settle in Prince Edward Island, Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell says.
In recent years, our nominee programs have helped Prince Edward Island reach its highest ever level of immigration and have paved the way for thousands of people from around the world to explore new opportunities in our Island community, said Minister Campbell.
Equally impressive has been the significant contributions newcomers have made to Prince Edward Island by starting new businesses, purchasing homes and services, and overall contributions to enhancing our cultural diversity.
After a rigorous period of consultation with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we are pleased to be moving forward with new nominee streams that meet federal immigration requirements and will create opportunities for entrepreneurship and community development for both newcomers and established Islanders.
Under the Provincial Nominee Program, the government of Prince Edward Island may nominate qualified foreign nationals seeking to move to Canada. The program will be limited to people who meet all federal immigration requirements, and have demonstrated a commitment to settling in Prince Edward Island as active employees or owners in Island businesses.
The revamped PEI PNP will include a Business Impact Category with three streams and a Labour Impact Category with four streams. Two streams within the Labour Impact Category will be new and include an International Student Stream (for recent graduates of Canadian Universities) and a pilot Critical Worker Stream (for lower-skilled workers where significant labour shortages exist).
The government of Prince Edward Island will immediately issue a Request for Proposals from individuals qualified to act as Island Agents in the Business Impact Category under the Provincial Nominee Program.
Under the new program, government will give priority to new Islanders wanting to own and operate businesses in strategic sectors including the provinces primary industries or in the four pillar sectors identified under the Island Prosperity Strategy: aerospace, bioscience, renewable energy and information technology. Priority will also be given to those wishing to own/establish businesses in rural Prince Edward Island. New Islanders have made a tremendous contribution to Prince Edward Island in recent years. Through the programs announced today, we expect to see more new Islanders have the opportunity to integrate into our province as business leaders and community members, said Minister Campbell.
Ongoing results of the Provincial Nominee Program will be published each year in the annual report of Island Investment Development Inc. The programs operations will be overseen by the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning and subject to review by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Auditor General of Prince Edward Island.
For more information on the Provincial Nominee Program, visitwww.gov.pe.ca/immigration or call Immigration Services at (902) 620-3628.
BACKGROUNDER
Labour Impact Category
Skilled Worker Stream:
Prince Edward Island employers wishing to hire a potential new employee they have identified outside of Canada may do so through nomination via the Skilled Worker Stream. Those potential nominees who possesses the necessary skills and fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level O, A or B are eligible provided they have obtained a post-secondary degree/diploma and experience in the intended profession.
Critical Worker Stream:
Prince Edward Island employers that have hired a foreign worker may support that worker to obtain permanent residency in Canada through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Critical Worker Program. The Provincial Nominee Program helps to fill labour market shortages by enabling foreign workers to apply to become permanent residents.
International Graduate Stream:
The International Graduate Stream is employer-driven and provides the opportunity for Prince Edward Island employers to hire a recent graduate from a recognized accredited Canadian university or college. The international graduate must have a full-time job offer in the field of study under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B which represents professional, managerial and skilled-trade positions. The international graduate must have a valid post graduation work permit with the Prince Edward Island employer the applicant is working for at the time of application and is expected to have worked a minimum of six months in the position before submitting an application for nomination.
Family Connection Stream:
The Family Connection Stream strives to identify applicants who will help to grow our economy, enrich our experiences and enhance cultural diversity. Family members who have been identified for possible nomination must have the ability to independently economically establish within the province. Under this stream, close family members (champions) in Prince Edward Island may serve in a supporting capacity to assist the applicant to integrate and settle in Prince Edward Island.
For specific program criteria, please visit: www.gov.pe.ca/immigration
Business Impact Category
100% Ownership Stream:
Business people are integral to the advancement of the Prince Edward Island economy. Prince Edward Island recognizes that this is still the fact and welcomes any capable individuals with entrepreneurial spirit to come to our province and help the progress continue. For foreign nationals, one avenue for entry into the province to showcase entrepreneurial ability is through the 100% Ownership Stream. As the name would suggest, this stream requires the applicant to obtain 100% control of a business through the outright purchase of an existing business or the start of a new business in Prince Edward Island.
Partial Ownership Stream:
The Partial Ownership Stream is designed for applicants who wish to transition into the Prince Edward Island business community by becoming a part owner in a business. The applicant must follow the step-by-step application process. If approved by Immigration Services, the applicant will receive a nomination from Prince Edward Island and will sign the necessary agreements. The applicant, amongst other conditions, must obtain 33 1/3% of the businesss equity or invest $1,000,000 CAD in the equity of the business and be active in the day-to-day management of the business.
Work Permit Stream:
Applicants may wish to transition in a more timely fashion to start a new life and business utilizing a work permit to enter Canada and begin the journey. The Work Permit Stream will allow applicants to come to Prince Edward Island and begin working and learning about the business they will be investing in prior to nomination by the Province of Prince Edward Island.
For specific program criteria or to get information on priority sectors or eligibility, please visit: www.gov.pe.ca/immigration
Media Contact: Ron Ryder
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