Canada PNP Province-Wise Targets For 2026 As Per New Immigration Plan

Last Updated On 6 November 2025, 10:09 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada has just delivered long-awaited good news for skilled immigrants and provinces alike by unveiling a new immigration levels plan on November 4, 2025.

With this new immigration levels plan comes a major win for the applicants eyeing provincial nominee programs (PNPs).

After a temporary dip in 2025, the federal government’s new Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 restores the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), nearing the highs of 2023 and 2024.

The total number of PNP admissions will rise from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026, stabilizing at 92,500 for both 2027 and 2028.

That’s a 66.36% rebound—not just growth, but a strong recovery to the levels that made the PNP Canada’s one of the most powerful immigration pathways.

Year	PNP Targets	Overall Economic Immigration Targets	Proportion of PNP in overall Economic immigration targets
2028	92,500	244,700	37.80%
2027	92,500	244,700	37.80%
2026	91,500	239,800	38.16%
2025	55,000	232150	23.69%
2024	110,000	281,135	39.13%
2023	105,500	266,210	39.63%
2022	83,500	241,850	34.53%
2021	80,800	232,500	34.75%

In fact, 2026-2028 PNPs will be just 1-1.5% short of the record years of 2023 and 2024, in terms of the proportion of overall economic permanent residency targets.

This change re-empowers provinces and territories to nominate skilled newcomers who meet local labour needs, reaffirming Ottawa’s trust in decentralized, region-specific immigration management.

Let’s break down the province-wise annual provincial nomination allocation for all the provinces — and what they mean for newcomers, provinces, and the overall immigration strategy.

The New Provincial Nominee Program Rebound Explained

The PNP remains the backbone of Canada’s economic immigration system, allowing provinces and territories to select candidates for permanent residence based on regional labour demands and demographic needs.

In 2023 and 2024, Canada saw record-high PNP targets exceeding 105,000 nominations.

However, 2025 brought a temporary contraction—the overall quota dropped to 55,000 as the federal government recalibrated economic immigration and introduced new policy categories.

Now, with the 2026–2028 plan, that decline is being decisively reversed.

Ottawa’s renewed emphasis on PNP growth reflects strong confidence in provincial nomination systems, labour-market readiness, and settlement capacity.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clearly positioned the PNP as the engine of Canada’s regional immigration strategy, aiming to balance economic priorities with local retention and infrastructure considerations.

Canada PNP Province-Wise Targets (2026–2028)

Methodology:
Using 2025 official or reported quotas as the baseline, projections for 2026 reflect a 66.36% increase, while projections for 2027 and 2028 reflect a 68.18% increase over 2025 values.

These projections maintain proportional distribution and provide an indicative overview of what each province and territory may expect under the new federal plan.

Province/Territory	2025 Quota	Projected 2026 Quota	Projected 2027 Quota	Projected 2028 Quota
Ontario	10,750	17,872	18,087	18,087
British Columbia	4,000	6,654	6,727	6,727
Alberta	4,971	8,266	8,358	8,358
Manitoba	4,750	7,904	8,001	8,001
Saskatchewan	3,625	6,033	6,096	6,096
New Brunswick	2,750	4,573	4,696	4,696
Nova Scotia	3,150	5,236	5,299	5,299
Prince Edward Island	1,025	1,704	1,724	1,724
Newfoundland & Labrador	1,525	2,537	2,565	2,565
Yukon	215	357	362	362
Northwest Territories	150	249	253	253

Projected Canada PNP Province-Wise Targets (2026–2028)

Ontario, already the largest PNP province, will continue to lead with nearly 18,000 projected nominations annually from 2026 onward.

However, the Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador—will see the fastest relative growth, with quotas increasing by more than 65% across the board.

Not to forget, Atlantic provinces might even ask for higher annual PNP allocation mid-year since they face a major retention problem as many leave after getting permanent residency.

British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba—already established newcomer hubs—are expected to recover from 2025’s cuts and return to their typical pre-reduction levels, ensuring strong options for temporary residents seeking to transition to permanent residency.

What This Means for Skilled Workers and Students

For skilled workers in Canada, these new numbers signal a wave of new opportunities in 2026 and beyond.

Provinces will be able to nominate more applicants through their PNP streams, meaning higher chances for eligible candidates to receive invitations.

Those already in Canada—especially international graduates and temporary foreign workers—will benefit the most, as many provinces prioritize candidates with Canadian work or study experience as well as job offers.

In practical terms:

More frequent provincial draws.
Faster turnaround in nomination processing.
Broader intake for in-demand occupations.
Expansion of smaller regional and pilot programs.

Why the Federal Government Is Expanding Again

The sharp rebound in PNP allocations perfectly aligns with Ottawa’s broader 2026–2028 strategy:

to balance population growth with labour demand while reducing dependence on temporary residents.

By increasing permanent immigration through the PNP, Canada strengthens local economies and ensures communities can plan housing, healthcare, and education more sustainably.

This restoration to decentralization—giving more power to provinces as requested from time to time after the 2025 cuts—is also politically strategic.

It allows Ottawa to maintain high immigration levels while managing regional diversity and provincial autonomy.

The PNP began modestly in the late 1990s, with only a few hundred newcomers selected each year.

Today, it stands as Canada’s largest economic immigration stream, consistently surpassing federal programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class.

The 2026–2028 plan solidifies that dominance, making the PNP the centrepiece of regional economic and demographic development.

So the 2026 rebound isn’t just a policy adjustment—it’s a restoration of confidence.

After the short-term contraction in 2025, IRCC’s decision to restore PNP volumes to near-2023 levels shows that provincial programs are once again central to Canada’s immigration success.

The numbers for 2026–2028 signal stability, predictability, and long-term planning—a key shift after years of rapid policy changes.

By 2028, provinces will collectively account for roughly one-quarter of all permanent residents, solidifying the PNP’s role as the cornerstone of Canada’s immigration future.

Canada PNP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Canada’s PNP targets for 2026–2028?

Canada’s PNP targets will be 91,500 for 2026, followed by 92,500 for 2027 and 2028.

What is Ontario’s PNP allocation for 2026?

Ontario’s PNP allocation for 2026 is projected to be around 17,872 nominations, based on the federal government’s 66.36% increase in overall PNP targets under the new Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028. The official provincial allocations have not yet been released by IRCC.

Which provinces will see the fastest growth in PNP allocations?

The Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador—are projected to see the fastest growth rates. Their allocations may rise by more than 66%, as Ottawa continues promoting additional allocation for these provinces, but it will depend on the province’s demand.

How does the PNP compare to Express Entry under the 2026–2028 immigration levels plan?

Under the new Immigration Levels Plan, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is projected to be the second to nearing the federal Express Entry system in total permanent resident admissions.
While Express Entry remains the main federal selection system, the PNP now plays a larger role in shaping regional immigration outcomes.
The two pathways are complementary—Express Entry favours high-scoring candidates nationwide, while PNPs give provinces power to nominate skilled workers who meet local labour needs or have provincial ties.
Together, they form the foundation of Canada’s balanced immigration strategy for 2026–2028.

When will the official province-wise allocations for 2026 come out?

Province-specific allocations are typically finalized in the beginning of the year, following negotiations between IRCC and each province or territory. The official 2026 allocations are expected to be released in early 2026 by individual provinces on a timely basis.

How will the higher PNP targets affect applicants in 2026–2028?

Higher targets mean more nomination opportunities, more frequent draws, and broader eligibility for new occupations. It also signals that Canada is prioritizing long-term permanent immigration over short-term temporary permits.

What sectors will benefit most from higher PNP allocations?

Healthcare, skilled trades, construction, tech, and early childhood education are expected to benefit most, as these occupations dominate provincial in-demand lists across multiple regions.

Are PNP nominations guaranteed to lead to PR?

A nomination does not guarantee permanent residency but significantly improves the chances if all the claimed information is genuine. Once nominated, applicants must still meet federal admissibility and documentation requirements.

Which provinces will have the highest PNP quotas in 2026?

Based on projections from Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are expected to have the highest PNP allocations in 2026.
Ontario leads with an estimated 17,872 nominations, followed by Alberta (8,266), Manitoba (7,904), British Columbia (6,654), and Saskatchewan (6,033).
Together, these five provinces are projected to account for nearly 70% of all PNP admissions in 2026.

Which provinces are most newcomer-friendly under the PNP?

Based on accessibility, settlement supports, and nomination chances, the most newcomer-friendly provinces are projected to be Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta, but your profile should align with their PNPs.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.