Canada Immigration 2025 Update: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario & PEI Draws + Major PNP Allocation Changes

Canada’s provincial immigration landscape has been extremely active throughout 2025. Several provinces — including Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island — have issued new draws, updated their immigration streams, and received changes to their federal nomination allocations.

These updates directly impact Express Entry candidates, international graduates, skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and tradespeople exploring pathways to Canadian permanent residency (PR).

In this comprehensive article, we break down all key updates from the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), Manitoba PNP, Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), and PEI PNP — along with national changes to Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations.

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Table of Contents

• Alberta: Four PNP draws, 1,100+ invitations

• Manitoba: Skilled Worker invitations in November

• Ontario: Skilled Trades Stream suspended

• Canada-wide PNP allocation changes

• Prince Edward Island: Surprise draw for international graduates

• Real-time use cases: Who benefits from these changes?

• Final thoughts & motivation for applicants

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Alberta Holds Four Major PNP Draws: 1,100+ Candidates Invited

Between October 23–29, 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted four targeted draws, inviting over 1,100 candidates across various pathways.

Summary of Alberta Draws (October 23–29, 2025)

Date	Stream	Minimum Score	Invitations
Oct 29	Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway	46	<10
Oct 28	Express Entry – Priority Construction Sector	60	60
Oct 24	Dedicated Health Care Pathway (non-EE)	42	142
Oct 23	Alberta Opportunity Stream	60	900

Key AAIP Streams Explained

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)

• Largest share of invitations (900)

• For temporary foreign workers already employed full-time in Alberta

• Requires a valid job offer from an Alberta employer

• Ideal for workers in hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and logistics

Dedicated Health Care Pathway

For healthcare professionals such as:

• Registered nurses

• Medical lab technologists

• Healthcare aides

• Physicians with Alberta job offers

Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway

Launched to help police forces recruit internationally. Ideal for:

• Police officers

• Border services officers

• Peace officers

Express Entry – Construction Sector Pathway

Targets high-demand construction trades, such as:

• Carpenters

• Electricians

• Welders

• Heavy duty mechanics

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Manitoba PNP Invites Skilled Workers in First November Draw

On November 6, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued 47 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas categories.

Breakdown of Invitations

• Employer Services: 11

• Francophone Community: 18

• Regional Communities: 12

• Ethnocultural Communities: 4

• TPP (Temporary Public Policy): 2

10 candidates also had an active Express Entry profile.

Important Notes

Applications may be refused if:

• Language test results are invalid/expired

• EOI includes wrong or missing invitation numbers

• Missing proof of licensing for regulated occupations

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Ontario Suspends Its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

In one of the most significant developments of 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) suspended the Skilled Trades Stream due to:

• Widespread misrepresentation

• Fraud concerns

• Difficulty verifying eligibility

• Reduced federal nomination allocation

What happens next?

• All pending applications will be returned

• Fees will be refunded

• No date announced for resumption

Alternative Pathways for Trades Workers

Trades candidates can now shift to:

• Express Entry – Trades Category (lower CRS cut-offs)

• Other OINP streams such as:

  • Human Capital Priorities

  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker

  • Employer Job Offer Streams

This move aims to preserve limited nomination spots for genuinely eligible workers.

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Canada-wide PNP Allocations: Most Provinces Receive More Nomination Slots

Throughout 2025, Canada revised the number of nomination allocations issued to provinces.

Provinces Receiving the Highest Increases

• Alberta: +1,528 new spots

• New Brunswick: +1,500

• Manitoba: +1,489

• Saskatchewan: +1,136

Provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador (98%), Yukon (94%), and Northwest Territories (100%) regained almost full 2024 allocation levels.

Why These Changes Happened

• 2024 Immigration Levels Plan cut PNP landing targets by 50%

• January 2025 allocations were reduced accordingly

• Provinces negotiated increases due to labour shortages

• Some increases were tied to supporting asylum/humanitarian populations

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Prince Edward Island PNP: Surprise Draw Invites International Graduates

On October 27, 2025, Prince Edward Island PNP (PEI PNP) held an unplanned draw — the second in the same month.

159 Invitations Issued

Targeted:

• UPEI graduates

• Holland College graduates

• Collège de l’Île graduates

• Candidates currently working in PEI

PEI continues to use a transparent Invitation to Apply (ITA) schedule, although it may adjust based on labour market needs.

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Real-Time Use Cases: Who Benefits From These Updates?

Case Study: Nurse in India Applying to Alberta

A nurse with IELTS and a job offer from an Alberta hospital can:

• Apply through Alberta’s Dedicated Health Care Pathway

• Receive faster nomination due to healthcare priority

• Move toward PR even if their CRS score is low

Case Study: Construction Worker in the Middle East

A carpenter currently working in Dubai with Canadian experience may:

• Enter the pool under the Express Entry Construction Category

• Receive an Alberta provincial notification

• Boost CRS by 600 points through PNP

Case Study: International Student in PEI

A graduate from UPEI with a valid job offer can:

• Enter the PEI EOI pool

• Receive targeted invitations due to the province’s focus on local graduates

• Apply for PR through an enhanced pathway with faster processing

Case Study: Skilled Trades Worker Affected by Ontario Suspension

A welder impacted by the closure of Ontario’s Skilled Trades Stream can:

• Shift to Express Entry Trades Category

• Apply for Saskatchewan, Alberta, or Manitoba PNP

• Increase chances of receiving a PR invitation despite Ontario’s suspension

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Final Thoughts: Why Now Is Still a Great Time to Pursue Canadian PR

Even though 2025 saw significant program changes — including stream suspensions and shifting allocations — Canada continues to open multiple doors for skilled workers, international graduates, and industry-specific professionals.

With new nominations, targeted category-based draws, and sector-specific immigration pathways, candidates with the right skills still have strong opportunities to secure Canadian permanent residence.

If you’re a healthcare worker, trades professional, student, or skilled employee — this may be the best time to explore your immigration options.

Stay proactive, stay informed, and stay prepared — your Canadian PR dream is closer than you think.