Nova Scotia holds new draw for Express Entry candidates

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Nova Scotia issued new invitations to apply for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence through its Express Entry-linked Labour Market Priorities immigration stream on March 20.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) did not specify how many invitations were issued in the March 20 draw.

The Labour Market Priorities Stream allows the NSNP to search the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meet labour market needs in the province. Past draws through the stream have targeted early childhood educators and assistants and financial auditors or accountants.

The invitations issued March 20 went to eligible Express Entry candidates who listed French as their first official language.

Those invited had to have a minimum language proficiency level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher in all French language abilities (reading, writing, speaking and listening) as well as a CLB 5 or higher in all abilities in English.

Other requirements included:

a bachelor's degree or a program of three or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute.
an Express Entry profile submitted on or after September 25, 2018.

Express Entry candidates have 30 calendar days from the date their Letter of Interest was issued to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia.

Canada's Express Entry system manages the profiles of candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates who are approved for a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score and are effectively fast-tracked for an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

New francophone immigration strategy

The March 20 draw was held to mark the 32nd International Day of La Francophonie and served to launch Nova Scotia's new Francophone Immigration Action Plan for encouraging francophone immigration to the province.

As is, Nova Scotian residents who list French as their mother tongue represent between three and four per cent of the province's population.

The plan outlines the province's strategy for attracting French-speaking immigrants to Nova Scotia and supporting their retention and integration through access to services and programming.

“Our Acadian and francophone communities are an essential component of our Nova Scotian identity and heritage,” Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia's Immigration Minister and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie Minister, said in a statement.

“On International Day of La Francophonie, we celebrate French language and francophone culture and honour the important contributions francophones have made to our province and our country.”

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool