Immigration ministers from both federal and provincial/territorial governments met in Ottawa to discuss immigration matters.

The Federal government has increased the number of Permanent Residents to be issued visas through the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 700 nominees will receive visas, up from the province’s regular quota of 500.

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has extended its deadline for selected applicants to apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Pilot Program. The deadline has been adjusted from 4 May to 31 May 2012.

The Government of Saskatchewan has appealed to Federal authorities for the right to raise the amount of immigrants the province receives each year.

Speaking in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Jason Kenney, stated that some applicants to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) will be required to prove English or French language capabilities before submitting their immigration applications.

Severe labour shortages in Western provinces have resulted in some provincial leaders calling for radical changes in immigration procedures.

Western provinces are largely in the midst of a job boom, which is being hindered by a lack of available and qualified workers to fill new positions.

A newly formed group called the Alberta Coalition for Action on Labour Shortage (ACALS) is pushing the federal government of Canada to amend immigration policies to address a significant labour shortage.

A shortage of labour was cited by a roundtable of energy companies in Alberta as their key business challenge. Easing immigration rules has been put forward as a possible partial solution.

All four of Canada’s Atlantic provinces have seen their population growth rate increase according to Canadian census numbers released last week.

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Immigration Programs (PNPs) continue to be successful according to a new report released today by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Immigrants to the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario now have more support available to them. The Immigration Partnership Council was recently announced, which according to the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, will “better assist new immigrants become part of the community.”

Manitoba has seen its second biggest increase in population since records began, at least in part due to immigration. Its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the main driver of immigrants to the province, accounting for more than three quarters of new Canadian permanent residents arriving in Manitoba.

British Columbia’s government has created a task force to look at ways to boost skilled immigration to the province.

With an economy that is the best in Canada, and an unemployment rate near the lowest in the country, Saskatchewan is quickly becoming a hot destination for temporary workers, immigrants, and others.

British Columbia is likely to see more than 5000 immigrants get permanent residency under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2012.

More immigrants are beginning their settlement in Canada spread throughout the country via the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP).

British Columbia has revised its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to permanently include long-haul truck drivers as part of its program. Previously, long-haul truck drivers were considered under a pilot project program.

An Ontario community, Simcoe County, is welcoming immigrants with open arms. The county is one of 45 in Ontario that has been asked by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to host a partnership aimed at analyzing the needs of current residents and newcomers.

Increasing job opportunities in Alberta have many Canadians moving to the province. More than 5,300 Canadians moved to Alberta between January and the end of March compared to only 300 during the same time period last year.

Once dominated by British, German, and Italian immigrants, Vancouver’s population can now be considered “Eurasian” as thousands of Asians immigrants now call the city their home.

According to the Alberta Immigration Progress Report 2011, over the past five years, Alberta has successfully implemented programs to help immigrants find jobs which meet their skills and experience.

By 2020, the province of Nova Scotia hopes to double the number of immigrants arriving in their province per year.

A report from RBC Economics has indicated that Alberta’s economy will grow by 4.3% in 2011. Alberta is expected to have the third highest economic growth in Canada after Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prince Edward Island has introduced five new streams into their Provincial Nominee Program, which are active immediately. The Skilled Worker Stream and the Family Connection Stream still remain part of the program.

Prince Edward Island recently hosted the Chinese Islanders Business Summit, in which they welcomed over 200 new Chinese immigrants to the province.