06/01/2026
May 2026 was an extremely active month for Canadian immigration draws. Provinces updated their systems, set new records, and actively supported temporary work permit holders already living in Canada.
🇨🇦 Express Entry: Record CRS Scores
May demonstrated strong momentum across the federal system — a total of 79,841 candidates have already received invitations through 30 Express Entry draws since the beginning of 2026. Looking specifically at May, Canada held four major rounds of invitations:
▫️ May 11 and May 25 (Provincial Nominee Program): Canada held two separate PNP draws during the same month. A total of 380 and 334 candidates were invited respectively. The CRS cut-offs became the highest seen in 2026 for this category — 798 and a record-breaking 805 points.
▫️ May 27 (Canadian Experience Class): A large draw focused exclusively on candidates with Canadian work experience (CEC), issuing 3,000 invitations. The CRS cut-off reached 518 — also the highest CEC score recorded in 2026.
▫️ May 28 (French-Language Proficiency): A targeted selection round for French-speaking candidates issued 4,500 invitations with a very competitive CRS score of 409.
⛰ Alberta (AAIP): A Strong May Surge
Alberta showed very high activity throughout the beginning and middle of the month, conducting several large targeted draws for different candidate categories:
▫️ May 1 (Rural Renewal Stream): Alberta opened the month by supporting rural communities, issuing 12 invitations with a minimum score of 50.
▫️ May 6 (Alberta Opportunity Stream): The province’s largest and most significant draw of the month. Alberta issued 832 invitations to candidates already working in the province, with a minimum score of 54.
▫️ May 7 (Accelerated Tech Pathway): A targeted Alberta Express Entry draw for IT and technology professionals issued 146 invitations with a minimum score of 57.
▫️ May 13 (Dedicated Healthcare Pathway): A specialized Express Entry draw for healthcare professionals resulted in 61 invitations with a minimum score of 57.
🌾 Manitoba (MPNP): Historic Scale and Focus on TPP
Manitoba held the largest provincial draw of 2026.
During Expression of Interest Draw #270 on May 7, the province issued 906 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA).
▫️ 431 invitations were issued to candidates from in-demand occupations, primarily secondary and elementary school teachers, early childhood educators, and assistants.
▫️ 475 invitations were distributed through strategic recruitment initiatives (Skilled Worker Stream). The most important trend was the province’s strong focus on supporting individuals already in Canada: 429 invitations were issued to candidates under the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates (TPP).
Later, on May 21 (Draw #271), Manitoba conducted another smaller draw under strategic recruitment initiatives, issuing an additional 96 LAAs, including 48 more TPP-related invitations.
🏔 British Columbia (BCPNP): First Draws After the System Update
British Columbia conducted its first draws following the major restructuring of the BC PNP system and clearly outlined its current priorities:
▫️ May 5 (Entrepreneur Immigration): The province began with business-focused streams, issuing 8 invitations under the base stream and fewer than 5 under the regional stream (minimum score — 115).
▫️ May 6 (Care & Build): British Columbia separately invited childcare workers (86 ITAs, score 115), healthcare professionals (117 ITAs, score 108), construction workers (121 ITAs, score 108), and veterinary professionals (9 ITAs, score 100).
▫️ May 14 (Innovate: High Economic Impact): The province held targeted selections for high-income specialists earning at least $120,000 annually or $59/hour — issuing 225 invitations without a points threshold, plus another 212 invitations through a points-based round with a minimum score of 135.
🌊 Atlantic Canada: An Active Month for New Brunswick, Record Activity in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Stability in Prince Edward Island
▫️ New Brunswick (NBPNP): The beginning of May was extremely productive for the province, which conducted several targeted selection rounds:
▫️ May 1 (Atlantic Immigration Program): 50 invitations were issued for transportation, manufacturing, and construction occupations.
▫️ May 1 (NB Skilled Worker Stream): A separate healthcare-focused draw issued 87 invitations to candidates under the New Brunswick Experience and New Brunswick Graduates pathways.
▫️ May 3 (NB Skilled Worker Stream): A large general draw covering all sectors of the economy issued another 113 invitations to local workers and graduates.
▫️ Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): The province demonstrated remarkable activity by conducting three separate draws during May:
▫️ May 1: 190 invitations issued (157 through NLPNP and 33 through AIP).
▫️ May 11: 186 invitations issued (168 through NLPNP and 18 through AIP).
▫️ May 28: The month concluded with 103 invitations (84 through NLPNP and 19 through AIP).
🏝 Prince Edward Island (PEI PNP): Stability Continues
On May 21, Prince Edward Island held its regular draw and issued 114 invitations to Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates. Priority continued to be given to graduates of local institutions such as UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de l'Île, as well as candidates working in critical sectors of the provincial economy.
📌 May 2026 Summary: Canada continues balancing large federal draws for French-speaking candidates with highly targeted provincial support for local workers and occupations experiencing labour shortages.