July 2026 Canada PNP Update: Ontario’s 130-Point OWPS & BC’s Largest Draw

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In July 2026, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) saw major activity across the country. Ontario published its new 130-point scoring system for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. British Columbia held its largest draw of the year and launched a new healthcare-worker stream. Alberta ran eight selection rounds. Manitoba issued over 2,900 invitations and secured a work permit extension for local candidates. Atlantic provinces also held notable draws. Below is a simple, province-by-province breakdown.

Ontario: New 130-Point Scoring System for the Workforce Priority Stream

On July 20, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) released the full 130-point scoring criteria for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS). What to pay attention to in this reform:

  • OWPS replaces Ontario’s former eight-stream system with a single framework, split into three pathways: higher-skilled job offers (TEER 0–3), lower-skilled job offers (TEER 4–5), and self-employed physicians.
  • Candidates are scored across 11 factors, but four of them account for nearly half the total: Ontario work experience (up to 18 points), hourly wage, language ability, and work region (each up to 15 points).
  • Work region is the single largest individual factor. A job offer located in Toronto (including Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke) scores zero on this factor, while a job offer in Northern Ontario scores the maximum.
  • Canadian credentials and relevant professional experience also carry meaningful weight, though the biggest single boost still comes from where the job is located.
  • The online Expression of Interest (EOI) system, closed since June 26, reopened on August 4, 2026 — candidates with an eligible job offer can now register a profile, though no invitation rounds had been issued as of this update.

What this means for applicants: Ontario is clearly prioritizing candidates who are willing to work in regional communities rather than the GTA, and who already have Canadian education or work history. If you’re applying under this stream, a job offer in a smaller Ontario city may improve your score more than one in Toronto.

British Columbia: Largest Draw of the Year Plus a New Healthcare Stream

British Columbia had an active July with two notable events.

July 16 — Largest draw of 2026: BC invited 569 candidates who scored at least 132 points or who earn more than $58/hour.

July 23 — First TRHSI draw: BC held its first-ever draw under the new Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative (TRHSI). This stream invited 60 health authority cleaners and security staff, with a much lower cut-off score of 50 points.

Alberta: 8 Selection Rounds and Rising Sector Cut-offs

Alberta was the most active province by number of draws, running 8 selection rounds in July.

  • 1,167 invitations were issued across six draws, mostly under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
  • Late-month targeted Express Entry draws invited 53 construction workers and 29 agriculture workers — the province’s highest sector-specific cut-offs so far this year.

Manitoba: Over 2,900 Invitations and a Work Permit Extension

Manitoba issued more than 2,900 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) across three July draws, including a large round of 2,146 invitations on July 16. Separately, federal MPs announced policy relief allowing roughly 2,700 local MPNP candidates to extend their work permits through late 2027.

Atlantic Canada: PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick

  • Prince Edward Island (PEI): Issued 195 ITAs on July 16 — its largest draw of 2026, targeting in-province workers and graduates.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: Issued 445 ITAs on July 28, its largest round since March, following a smaller 57-ITA draw on July 10.
  • New Brunswick: Issued 750 ITAs across the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and NBPNP streams, and extended its Private Career College Graduate Pilot through December 2027.

What this means for applicants: Atlantic Canada continues to favour candidates already living and working in the province, and New Brunswick’s pilot extension is helpful news for private career college graduates planning their next steps.

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