From Michelle Bowlen:

"As Revelstoke's local Immigration lawyer and Chamber of Commerce Director, I am providing this briefing in response to recent statements by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, regarding a "soft-launched" program to transition 33,000 foreign workers to permanent residence (PR). Nothing in this briefing constitutes legal advice. 

Current Status of the "New" PR Pathway

While the Minister indicated the program is active, it is important for the business community to understand that no formal application category, eligibility or public instructional guide has been released yet. The Minister suggests that full details, including specific eligibility criteria and application procedures, will be available in April 2026.

What we know so far:

• Target Volume: The program aims to grant PR to 33,000 workers over the 2026–2027 period.
• Priority Sectors: Preliminary information suggests a focus on in-demand sectors, specifically Health Care, Skilled Trades, and francophone applicants
• Eligibility Strategy: This is designed as a "one-time" measure to reduce the current volume of temporary residents. Applicants in Canada should consider preparing documentation such as education credentials and language tests to ensure readiness if a program opens. 

The Minister’s claim that the program has "already launched" without a public announcement has created significant confusion. This "soft launch" may refer to internal processing of existing backlogs, specific invitations within the Express Entry pool, or additional allocations to provincial nomination programs rather than a new open-access stream. It is currently no a viable option to retain workers and employers should be using existing programs to address immigration planning needs until further details are released. 

Immediate Pathways for Local Workers

Currently, the primary pathways to permanent residence for the local workforce remain:

1. BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP): The BC PNP has re-opened for 2026 and is currently inviting applications to apply for nomination. As of the time of writing, the only invitations issued have been high economic impact skilled workers but we may see invitations in other categories in coming months. 
2. Express Entry: Recent updates on February 18, 2026, introduced new categories for medical doctors, researchers, senior managers, and transport occupations (including pilots and mechanics).
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): High-frequency draws continue to prioritize those with at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience. However, high scores generally mean this stream is only available for younger applicants with a university degree, strong English skills and a couple of years of work experience.

Michelle Bowlen
Lawyer

Selkirk Immigration
(250) 814-7576

*Legal Services provided by Selkirk Law Corporation