International students must submit a PAL with their study permit application to prove that they have been accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within the limits of its allocation. The B.C. government says the provincial government issues PALs to institutions, who then issue the letters to the international applicant.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/international-education
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/international-education
