MANITOBA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM

1. MANITOBA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM Flag of Manitoba Coat of Arms of Manitoba • Source of Information: • CIC Website • Manitoba Government Website

2. Map of Manitoba A DETAILED MAP OF MANITOBA Regional Mountain National Park Downtown of Winnipeg International Peace Garden

3. Facts about Manitoba • Manitoba is a western part of the Canada and borders are joined with Saskatchewan, Nunavat, Ontario and Hudson Bay • Summers are generally warm to hot and winters very cold. Both spring and autumn are contracted seasons. • There are a few possible sources of the name "Manitoba". One is the Assiniboine words "Mini" and "tobow" meaning "Lake of the Prairie". • Entry into Confederation in 1870. The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba was established on July 14, 1870. At that time Manitoba attained full fledged provincial rights and responsibilities of self-government. • The most common farm found in rural areas is: cattle farming (35.3%) followed by oilseed (25.8%) and wheat farming (9.8%). Around 11% of the farmland in Canada is in Manitoba. • Pre-confederation economy was influenced by Hudson Bay Company. However, over a period of time its monopoly was weakened, which has foundation role in creation of Manitoba province as well. • Ten largest municipalities by population • Winnipeg, Brandon , Thompson , Portage la Prairie, Springfield , Hanover , St. Andrews, Selkirk , Steinbach , St. Clements.

4. Background of Nominee Programs • Section 8 of IRPA allows the minister of Citizenship and Immigration to sign agreements with the provinces to coordinate and implement immigration policies and programs. • Under the Constitution, the federal and provincial governments share responsibility for immigration. • IRPA provides Federal government to contact Provinces and set goals to share benefits of immigration • Federal-provincial working groups examine specific immigration issues, such as access to professions and trades, sponsorship, business immigration, promotion and recruitment, selection, settlement and language training, health, and information sharing and research. PROVINCIAL NOMINEES: • The Provincial Nominee Program allows the provinces and territories to select immigrants for specific skills that will contribute to the local economy. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations establish a provincial nominee class, allowing provinces and territories that have agreements with CIC to nominate a certain number of workers. Nominees must meet federal admissibility requirements, such as those related to health and security.

5. Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

6. Priority Assessment Streams Current Employment in Manitoba or MPNP Pre-Approved Job Offer Post-Graduation Work Permit Employer Direct International Students MPNP Application Process Letter of Community Support MPNP Invitation to Apply Community Support Strategic Recruitment Close Relative in Manitoba Family Support General Stream Previous Work Experience in Manitoba Completed Education in Manitoba Family-Like Support Close Relative In Manitoba Business Nominee Program Young Farmer Program Refugee Class Manitoba Nominee Program

7. Employer Direct Stream The MPNP Employer Direct stream is a priority assessment stream that helps employers to recruit and/or retain a foreign worker with the required skills for a position they may have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Priority will be given to: • employers who apply for pre-approval of job offers demonstrating that they have made a genuine effort to recruit in Canada for the position and are offering a wage and benefit package compatible with labour market standards and sufficient to retain the worker in Manitoba • employers who can demonstrate that they will provide additional supports to assist newcomers with their settlement needs, and/or have the support of the local community in regions of Manitoba where the MPNP sees a significant need for settlement services for potential newcomers • applicants who have a pre-approved job offer as well as the training, work experience, licensing or accreditation and language ability required for the position and who can satisfy a program officer that they intend to establish permanently in Manitoba  •  applicants who are currently employed full-time for the last 6 months in Manitoba on a temporary work permit with a permanent offer of employment and who can satisfy a program officer that they intend to establish permanently in Manitoba  Note: Applicants who are currently employed full-time for the last 6 months in Manitoba with a temporary work permit and have a permanent job offer do not require pre-approval of their job offers.

8. International Student Stream The MPNP International Student Stream is a priority assessment stream for international students who have established strong ties to Manitoba and intend to live, work and establish their careers in the province. You are eligible to apply to the MPNP through the International Student stream if you:  • have graduated from a post-secondary program in Manitoba • have successfully applied for a post-graduation work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and are currently working in Manitoba • are currently working in Manitoba and have received a full-time, long-term job offer from their employer

9. Family Support Stream The MPNP Family Support stream is a priority assessment stream for skilled workers who can demonstrate the strong support of a close relative who is successfully established in Manitoba. You are eligible to apply to the MPNP through the Family Support stream if you:·          • can provide proof of a close relative in Manitoba defined as a mother/father, son/daughter, sister/brother, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, or first cousin (your aunt/uncle’s son/daughter) • can provide an Affidavit of Support form signed by a close relative in Manitoba • give the authority to disclose information to the Manitoba close relative who is expected to be closely involved with the application process  • are able to meet minimum age, education, work experience, and language ability requirements for the Family Support stream* *If there is a difference between your assessment and the assessment of the program officer, the program officer's assessment will be used. CRITERIA

10. Criteria for Family/Community Support Stream FAMILY / COMMUNITY SUPPORT STREAM MINIMUM CRITERIA

11. Community Support Stream The MPNP Community Support stream is a priority assessment stream for skilled workers who can demonstrate the strong support of an established community organization which has signed a Community Support Agreement (CSA) with the MPNP. CSAs are partnerships with specific objectives and requirements arranged at the discretion of the MPNP in accordance with program needs and available resources. You are eligible to apply to the MPNP through the Community Support stream if you:  • can provide a Letter of Support from a Community Support Agreement holder • are able to meet minimum age, education, work experience, and language ability requirements for the Community Support stream* *If there is a difference between your assessment and the assessment of the program officer, the program officer's assessment will be used. CRITERIA

12. Strategic Recruitment Initiatives MPNP will undertake Strategic Recruitment Initiatives and/or consider applications from qualified applicants which enable the Province of Manitoba to meet the objectives of the Canadian Manitoba Immigration Agreement (CMIA). Strategic Recruitment Initiatives are undertaken at the discretion of the MPNP in accordance with program needs and available resources. You are eligible to apply to the MPNP through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative if you: • have received a letter of invitation to apply from the MPNP as part of an MPNP targeted promotional initiative or • are an adult dependent of an approved Provincial Nominees who does not meet the criteria described under “Am I Eligible?” but can demonstrate that you are a financially dependent family member of an approved Provincial Nominee* and will assist your family to establish successfully in Manitoba. *The MPNP reserves the right to: • determine whether or not an applicant can be considered as an eligible adult dependent of an approved Provincial Nominee • consider an adult dependent for nomination when nomination will assist an approved Provincial Nominee in settling successfully in Manitoba • exercise discretion with respect to the Education, Language Ability and Work Experience of eligible adult dependents. STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT CRITERIA

13. Strategic Recruitment Initiative – General Criteria

14. MPNP General Stream The MPNP General Stream is for applicants who can be assessed enough points in each assessment factor and can demonstrate their intention and ability to establish successfully and permanently in Manitoba. You are eligible to apply to the MPNP under General stream if you can provide: • Proof of a close relative in Manitoba* or • Two Affidavits of Support from close friends or distant relatives in Manitoba or •  Evidence of previous full-time work experience in Manitoba (at least six months) or •  Proof of a completed education program in Manitoba (excluding language training programs) *Applicants with close relatives in Manitoba should only apply to the General Stream if they do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Family Support priority assessment stream. GENERAL STREAM CRITERIA

15. General Stream Criteria

16. MPNP for Business The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Immigration Program for business allows Manitoba to recruit, select, and nominate qualified business people from around the world who have the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish or purchase a business. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria: • minimum personal Net Worth of CDN $250,000; • minimum amount of equity investment in Manitoba of CDN $150,000; • demonstrated business experience or extensive experience in senior management of a successful company; • conducted a visit or planning a visit to Manitoba within few months of applying to explore business opportunities and Manitoba's quality of life; and • supply a Cash Deposit to the Government of Manitoba, in the amount of CDN$75,000 guaranteeing the establishment or purchase of a business in Manitoba. In most cases, the Cash Deposit will be released when the investment is made and the intended business is undertaken as outlined in your application. Manitoba would like to accept all applicants who meet the program criteria for nomination, however our agreement with the Government of Canada limits the number of immigrants that we may nominate each year. Given this limitation, Manitoba will select the applicants who best meet the qualifications and who offer the most to Manitoba. Applicants who are nominated by the Province of Manitoba will be required to apply for immigrant visa through a Canadian Visa Office. If you are accepted for nomination, assistance will be provided in preparing an application to a Canada Visa Office for permanent resident visa for you and your dependents.

17. Young Farmer Nominee Program The Manitoba Young Farmer Nominee Program is introduced in February 2005, to facilitate the immigration process for young farmers who meet the criteria of the program.  To qualify under the program applicants must meet the following requirements: • Have a minimum personal net worth of CDN$150,000 (after relocation to Manitoba) • Make a minimum amount of equity investment of CDN$150,000 in Manitoba • Principal applicant must be under 40 years of age • Possess demonstrated experience in the management of a farm operation and/or finances • Principal applicant (and/or spouse) has marketable skills that would realistically allow the farm operation to have a supplemental off-farm income • Provision of a cash deposit to the Manitoba Development Corporation, in the amount of CDN$75,000 guaranteeing the purchase of a farm in Manitoba. A decent standard of living for an average farm family of four will be expected to equal or exceed a minimum of $35,000 per year.  This minimum family living expense can be earned either through farm income, or a combination of farm income and off-farm income.

18. Refugees INNOVATIVE PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST REFUGEES In the year 2002, the Honourable Denis Coderre, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Honourable Becky Barrett, Manitoba's Minister of Labour and Immigration, and His Worship Glen Murray, Mayor of Winnipeg, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Winnipeg Private Refugee Sponsorship Assistance Program. • This program represents a unique example of an innovative partnership between all three levels of government and the community to help refugees settle in a local area • Manitoba province is working with the City of Winnipeg. Federal partners and sponsoring communities to receive refugees in need of protection and assistance.“ • This is the first time a City government has been recognized as a partner in immigration and population growth strategy. Objective is to increase the number of immigrants coming to Winnipeg. The MOU and the Winnipeg Private Refugee Sponsorship Program demonstrate a unique co-operation between the three orders of government and the refugee sponsorship community to help meet this objective," said Mayor Murray. • Under the pilot program, the City of Winnipeg has set aside $250,000 of municipal funds which can be accessed to cover refugee support in circumstances including those when a private sponsor is no longer able to meet its commitment. • The refugee cases sponsored by Winnipeg organizations under this program would be a combination of named and unnamed refugees. A named refugee is a person identified and referred by non-governmental organizations for sponsorship on behalf of the person's relatives in Canada. An unnamed refugee is a person identified and referred by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to non-governmental organizations as a refugee who may have no relatives in Canada but needs to be sponsored. The three levels of government hope to initially admit 250 refugees under the pilot program.

19. Application Process Fees: There will be no fees for an application of Manitoba Provincial Nominee program. However, applicants have to pay Permanent resident application fees, after getting MPNP approval APPLICATION PROCESS: 1) Application will be submitted to the MPNP program for Assessment 2) Application is assessed according to the assessment stream for which you are eligible 3) If application is approved a)      Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa to the respective Visa post b)      Temporary Work Permits c)       Misrepresentation and the Withdrawal of Your Certificate 4) If application is refused – Receive a letter through Mail, but can re-apply after six months with proper documents 5) Can withdraw application any time before decision. Also can re-apply without waiting for six months period. However, withdrawal can only be accepted on the signed letter by the applicant and not by the representative.

20. Immigration by Province/Territory- 2004 When we look at immigration trends by province – we see that 90% of newcomers go to three provinces – Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Manitoba has consistently ranked 5th among provinces and it is seeing increasing success to receive a proportion of immigration. MB is trying to reach the 4% level of total immigration to Canada – 4% would represent MB’s proportional share of immigration. We are currently at 3.15%. * Data source - Manitoban PNP website.

21. Why Manitoba? • No Application Fees • Less Processing Time • Employment opportunities • Affordable and available housing • Settlement and Integration support • Timely, accessible & appropriate language training • Access to health, education, and social programs • Community support and appreciation of diversity • Cultural and recreational opportunities • Family and social support BENEFITS: CHALLENGES: • Responsibly managing increased levels • Immigration as a tool for urban and rural economic development • Employment/skills shortages • Addressing systemic barriers • Impacts of large movements on education, health and housing • Community integration • Human resource capacity in the sector • Improving newcomer settlement outcomes • Fiscal resources & sustainability • Program demands, integrity & coordination (PNP, settlement and language training)

22. Analysis of MPNP Program • Federal program for investor will have preference, if applicants are qualifying for Federal investor program. They cannot be accepted by province for the same net worth, because agreements between provinces preclude that. • Even if applicant has been selected by the province, they are subject to Health and Security check by Federal offices and also in some cases are requiring interviews. Only Federal Office will issue final visa. • Applicants nominate by province will be coded by the Federal office as “SKILLED WORKER” only, though they have been selected by the province under different categories. However, more emphasis will be on Security and Health issues by the Federal government while issuing visa. • MPNP is not a Sponsorship program. Applicant has to prove, Employability, Specific Skills, Language and Sufficient funds to settle in Manitoba. Also applicants under this stream have an age between 21 to 49 years only. • Family class and Close relative is not a Re-unification program. Instead it provides to fulfill mandatory requirements of Language, Education, Employability and Settlement Funds. However, Federal sponsorship program for Spouse and Parents will require LICO requirements only for Sponsorship applications other than Spouse. • Just by giving an affidavit of support an applicant will qualify to file an application for Manitoba. There is no check on genuine applicants and therefore, there are chances of misuse of MPNP program. • Under the Employer priority scheme, Employer has to offer an approved job offer, and also to provide additional support to the applicant for settlement. • The MPNP list of Occupational Requirements is not a High Demand Occupation List. Applicants applying for all those listed occupations have to fulfill licensing requirements of Professional organizations, as well. • If a Skilled worker application is under process, it depends on the particular visa office to transfer an application to the MPNP. They may or may not do so. • Limited number of Nominee certificates being issued. Priority is given to the business applicants who have investment plans for particular industries only. • Key for success is to prove employability and genuine intention to settle in Manitoba and to contribute in economy.