Aims to increase skilled immigrant nominees by 41 per cent
British Columbia is taking steps to bring in more skilled and business immigrants to the province by expanding the provincial nominee program.
The provincial government is adding six new staff members to the provincial nominee program (PNP) with the goal of increasing the number of nominees by 41 per cent, said the Minister of Economic Development Colin Hansen.
"Both the recent Asia Pacific Trade Council report on China and Hong Kong and the report from the B.C. Competition Council recommended expanding the PNP to attract more immigrants to B.C.," said Hansen.
The program, the second largest of its kind in Canada, was originally introduced in March 2001 to bring in foreign-trained nurses to address the province's shortage of registered nurses. The program now includes categories for business immigrants and highly skilled immigrants for jobs in high technology, post-secondary education and skilled trades.
Since the program's launch, more than 1,750 skilled and business immigrants have made the western province their home. In 2005, 750 skilled workers moved to B.C. from around the world.
The provincial government is adding six new staff members to the provincial nominee program (PNP) with the goal of increasing the number of nominees by 41 per cent, said the Minister of Economic Development Colin Hansen.
"Both the recent Asia Pacific Trade Council report on China and Hong Kong and the report from the B.C. Competition Council recommended expanding the PNP to attract more immigrants to B.C.," said Hansen.
The program, the second largest of its kind in Canada, was originally introduced in March 2001 to bring in foreign-trained nurses to address the province's shortage of registered nurses. The program now includes categories for business immigrants and highly skilled immigrants for jobs in high technology, post-secondary education and skilled trades.
Since the program's launch, more than 1,750 skilled and business immigrants have made the western province their home. In 2005, 750 skilled workers moved to B.C. from around the world.
