'We are disappointed with the federal government's decision to cut provincial nominee program allocations'
The Saskatchewan government has put an end to the temporary pause it imposed on the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), and made a number of changes in reaction to the federal government’s recent moves.
The pause to the intake of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) will end immediately.
However, the SINP will not return in its previous form. Saskatchewan has implemented multiple adjustments to the program following Ottawa's decision earlier this year to reduce nomination allocations for all provincial nominee programs by 50%.
The move left Saskatchewan with 3,625 nominations, the lowest since 2009, said the provincial government.
Earlier this year, Ottawa also added a requirement that 75% of all nominees must already be living in Canada as temporary residents, according to CBC.
"We are disappointed with the federal government's decision to cut provincial nominee program allocations," said Saskatchewan’s Deputy Premier and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter.
Ottawa had previously announced it is reducing its immigration targets for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
To adapt to the policy changes from the federal government, Saskatchewan is implementing the following changes to the SINP, effective immediately:
More details about the changes are available here.
The government of Yukon has also announced significant updates to its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) application process for 2025.
The changes in Saskatchewan’s program will ensure fair access across sectors while maintaining program integrity and aligning with Saskatchewan's long-term labour market needs, said the government.
"The SINP has been essential for Saskatchewan employers seeking to hire international workers when qualified Canadians are unavailable,” Reiter said. “The changes announced today will ensure that our reduced number of nominations is used effectively and in a way that prioritizes building our economy."
The SINP will be hosting information sessions on recent program changes for employers on April 3 (10 a.m.) and April 9 (3 p.m.). Employers can register at [email protected].
In February, Ottawa announced updates to its Express Entry system for 2025, introducing a new category focused on education while continuing to prioritize in-demand sectors such as healthcare, trades, and social services.
Despite Saskatchewan restarting its provincial nominee program, one immigration consultant said that the federal government’s move to put a cap on workers in certain sectors will leave some employers scrambling to fill jobs.
"A lot of restaurants and trucking companies rely heavily on foreign nationals, for drivers or cook positions," Rajdeep Singh, director of Pax Immigration Consultant, based in Emerald Park, told CBC.
"They will definitely be struggling to meet their labour needs."
The federal government has previously made numerous changes to its immigration rules.
