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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Manitoba Holds Expression of Interest Draw #281
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its 281st Expression of Interest (EOI) draw on October 8, 2026, issuing a total of 340 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) for permanent residence. This marks the 20th MPNP selection round of the year, continuing the province's regular bi-weekly selection process for immigration candidates.
Focus on Education, Childcare, and Health Occupations
Unlike the previous three rounds, Draw #281 did not include a top-scoring selection but instead focused on two specific occupational categories and a strategic recruitment selection. The largest share of LAAs—211—was issued to candidates employed in education and childcare roles within Manitoba. These included:
- Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220)
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100)
Another 46 LAAs targeted workers in health occupations (Broad Occupational Category 3), marking a renewed emphasis on this sector after a recent selection in September's Draw #279.
Strategic Recruitment Initiatives Under Skilled Worker Stream
A total of 83 LAAs were issued through Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Stream strategic recruitment initiatives. These selections were based on profiles directly invited by the MPNP, reflecting a significant increase from the 40 invitations in the prior draw. The breakdown of strategic recruitment invitations is as follows:
| Initiative | LAAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 45 |
| Francophone Community | 16 |
| Regional Communities | 12 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 9 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) | 1 |
Highlights and Express Entry Connections
Out of the 340 LAAs issued in this round, 103 were granted to candidates with valid Express Entry profile numbers and job seeker validation codes. While the MPNP did not publish a minimum ranking score for the selections, the inclusion of Express Entry profiles means those nominees can benefit from a 600-point boost in the federal Comprehensive Ranking System, significantly improving their chances for a federal invitation to apply for permanent residence.
MPNP 2026 Totals and Draw Patterns
With Draw #281, Manitoba has now issued 7,223 LAAs in 2026 across 20 rounds. The two-week Thursday schedule has remained consistent, and the number of invitations this round is lower compared to previous recent draws—474 in Draw #280 (September 24) and 793 in Draw #279 (September 10). Each draw has targeted different occupational priorities, reflecting the program’s efforts to align nominations with labor market needs, including recent focuses on trades, graduates, health, applied sciences, and now education and childcare.
Eligibility and Application Reminders
The MPNP reminds candidates that even some who meet basic selection criteria may not be invited if they:
- Omitted a valid, current language test result number in their EOI, or
- Did not provide a valid invitation number after being invited to apply through a strategic recruitment initiative.
Candidates working in regulated occupations must also be able to demonstrate current employment in Manitoba and full licensure in their field, or risk refusal of their full application.
Full details of the draw and ongoing updates are available on the Government of Manitoba website and immigration.ca’s Manitoba immigration draws page. The MPNP remains a key pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence through Immigration Canada, targeting sectors such as education, childcare, and health occupations.
Source: immigration.ca.
