Saskatchewan's Nomination Allocation Raised, Revitalizing Specific Sectors

This week, immigration authorities in Saskatchewan confirmed a significant increase to the 2025 allocation for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The federal government has approved an additional 1,136 nomination spots for the province, raising its annual total from 3,625 at the start of the year to 4,761.

The distribution of these new spots is highly targeted. According to an official representative, 25% of the new allocation will be dedicated to four specific sectors: trucking, accommodation, food services, and retail trade. Notably, these sectors had reached their 25% annual nomination cap in June, leading the SINP to temporarily halt the acceptance and processing of related applications. With this new allocation, the processing of some backlogged applications in these fields will resume, offering renewed hope for applicants.

The remaining 75% of the new nominations will be directed towards other non-capped sectors, with healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades designated as the highest priority areas.

A Look Back: The SINP's Volatility and Adjustments in 2025

This increase stands in sharp contrast to the policy tightening seen at the beginning of the year. In January 2025, the federal government had cut Saskatchewan's annual SINP allocation by 50% compared to the previous year. Concurrently, a new federal requirement was introduced, mandating that 75% of all provincial nominees must be temporary residents already in Canada.

For the limited 25% of spots available to overseas applicants, Saskatchewan had explicitly stated it would prioritize candidates from the healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades sectors.

In addition to changes in allocation and residency requirements, the SINP implemented a series of reforms earlier this year to adapt to the new immigration environment. These measures included:

• Closing its Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator pathways;
• Removing eligibility for some Open Work Permit holders;
• Restricting eligibility for the SINP's Student Category; and
• Removing industries such as spas, salons, and non-veterinary pet care services from the list of eligible sectors for recruitment.

The National Landscape: A Mixed Picture for Provincial Allocations

Saskatchewan is the latest province to announce an increased federal allocation, reflecting a clear divergence in provincial immigration policies across Canada.

• Newfoundland and Labrador was the first to announce an increase in February, receiving 1,000 additional spots for its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Combined with its 475 spaces under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), its total 2025 immigration allocation now stands at 2,525.
• New Brunswick followed suit in June, announcing an additional 1,500 spots for its PNP. Along with 1,250 slots under the AIP, the province's total allocation for the year rose to 4,250.
• Yukon also received an additional 67 nomination slots earlier this month.

In stark contrast, several major immigration destinations, including Ontario and British Columbia, saw their 2025 provincial allocations cut by 50%. These drastic reductions have forced these provinces to adjust their PNPs, including temporarily closing some immigration streams and capping the number of applications they will process in 2025.

Overall, the landscape of provincial immigration allocations in Canada for 2025 presents a complex picture of both increases and decreases. This reflects the federal government's strategic efforts to manage immigration distribution while also testing the adaptability of provinces to meet their specific labour market needs. For prospective applicants, staying informed about the latest policy updates from each province will be crucial in planning their immigration journey.