MPNP – Moving Outside Manitoba

In April 2016, the Minister of Immigration, the Honourable John MacCullum identified the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) as one of the most successful provincial nominee programs in Canada. This program is a partnership between the provincial government of Manitoba and the federal government to address the economic needs within the labour market. Over the years, the program has evolved considerably and it is regularly amended to reflect the ever-changing landscape of Manitoba.

The current MPNP system was launched at the beginning of 2015. At that time, the government made changes to ensure that successful applicants had sufficient ties to Manitoba. The government was concerned that applicants were applying to Manitoba with the plan to settle in this province and then, after they became permanent residents, they decided to relocate their families to other provinces. This is entirely allowable within the system. As soon as an individual lands in Canada and becomes a permanent resident, they have mobility rights that allows them to move anywhere in Canada, regardless of how the arrived.

MPNP and Mobility Rights

Almost every client of Clarke Immigration Law asks about mobility rights. After they are successful with a MPNP application, can they move to another province? They answer is that after they become a Permanent Resident of Canada, they have all the mobility rights of all permanent residents. These mobility rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

To address mobility rights, the MPNP program scrutinizes applications to make sure that applicants have a genuine plan to establish themselves in Manitoba. If the province determines that the applicant simply seeks permanent resident status and that they are not serious about settling in Manitoba, then their application will be refused.

MPNP and Connections to Other Provinces

Prior to 2015, the points system for MPNP was based on connections to Manitoba and applicants received points based on their connections. With the constitutionally enshrined mobility rights, the province made changes to the province so that applicants with connections to other provinces lost points. Here are a few examples of clients who have lost points based on their experience in other provinces:

Abdul completed a university degree in Vancouver before moving to Manitoba. He has worked in Winnipeg on a Post Graduate Work Permit for 2 years and now he is applying under the MPNP program – Skilled Worker stream. Based on his studies in BC, he loses 100 points in his MPNP application.

Another example:

Ms. Li has been trying to be with her sibling in Canada for many years. Before, her sister lived in Toronto and she applied under the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP). That program was then suspended in May 2016 based on the needs of the labour market in Ontario. Ms. Li’s sister has moved to Winnipeg and they want to apply under the MPNP program with a new application. In this case, Ms. Li will lose 100 points based on her previous application to Ontario.

Genuine Connections to Manitoba

On 8 June 2016, we met with the Director of the MPNP program to discuss changes to the program. One point she raised is that too many applicants are not showing “genuine connections” to Manitoba. In other words, when MPNP does their investigation into the applications, the Manitoba residents who support the application cannot prove a genuine relationship. This may have negative consequences for the applicants and also for the permanent residents or Canadian citizens who are sponsoring the application

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact our office directly.