Which provinces nominate the most immigrants? The Provincial Nominee Program in numbers
What the Provincial Nominee Program is
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets provinces and territories choose immigrants who fit their local job market. A province "nominates" you, and then you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Quebec does not take part. It runs its own selection system.
Some provincial streams are linked to Express Entry. A nomination through one of those adds 600 points to your Express Entry score.
How many people came through the PNP
| Year | New permanent residents through the PNP | All new permanent residents |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 108,615 | 470,740 |
| 2024 | 114,910 | 482,570 |
| 2025 | 85,110 | 392,740 |
| 2026 (January to August) | 58,320 | 262,245 |
In 2025 PNP admissions fell by about a quarter compared with 2024, in the same year Canada lowered its overall immigration targets. It still brought in more than one in five new permanent residents.
Province by province (2025)
| Province or territory | PNP admissions | All new permanent residents | PNP share | 2024 PNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 25,385 | 169,660 | 15% | 24,535 |
| British Columbia | 12,150 | 50,635 | 24% | 15,780 |
| Alberta | 12,145 | 51,525 | 24% | 19,845 |
| Manitoba | 11,145 | 18,915 | 59% | 14,880 |
| Saskatchewan | 9,610 | 13,940 | 69% | 17,795 |
| New Brunswick | 4,910 | 10,830 | 45% | 7,800 |
| Nova Scotia | 4,305 | 9,090 | 47% | 7,010 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3,015 | 4,965 | 61% | 3,340 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1,615 | 2,115 | 76% | 2,925 |
| Yukon | 550 | 640 | 86% | 765 |
| Northwest Territories | 280 | 335 | 84% | 235 |
IRCC rounds these figures and hides very small numbers, so totals may not add up exactly.
Three things the table shows
1. Ontario is the biggest by count, but the PNP is a small part of its story. Ontario had the most nominees, but they were only 15% of its new permanent residents. Most people settle in Ontario through federal programs and family sponsorship.
2. For smaller provinces the PNP is the main door. In Saskatchewan (69%), Prince Edward Island (76%), Newfoundland and Labrador (61%) and Manitoba (59%), most new permanent residents came through a provincial nomination. In Yukon and the Northwest Territories it was over 80%.
3. Admissions fell more in some provinces than others. Saskatchewan's PNP admissions fell from about 17,800 to about 9,600, and Alberta's from about 19,800 to about 12,100. Ontario stayed about the same.
What this means for you
- Each province has its own streams, rules and intake dates. Some only accept people who already study or work there.
- A smaller province can be a realistic path, but you are usually expected to live and work there.
- Check the province's own website and the IRCC PNP page before you plan anything. Programs open and close often.
About this article
This article was written by the Newcomer Board editorial team with the help of AI tools. Every number was checked against IRCC's open data on permanent residents by province and immigration category on 30 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.