The Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.

Provincial nominees are selected based on their ability to contribute to the province's economic development. Usually, but not always, a genuine Canadian job offer from an employer within the province is a requirement under the Provincial Nomination Program.

Most provinces in Canada participate in the Provincial Nomination Program. Participating provinces sign agreements with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that allow the provinces to directly select immigrants who meet the requirements they have established. Immigrants who wish to apply as a Provincial Nominee must first apply to the province where they wish to settle:

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Before submitting an application to immigrate to Canada, a Nominee must first receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate from the province . After a successful nomination by a province, a separate application must be made to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa.

The Province of Quebec, where Montreal is located, does not participate in the Provincial Nomination Program. Rather, the governemnts of Quebec and Canada have entered into a series of agreements, by which Quebec has established its own selection criteria for all economic immigrants who indicate their intention to reside in that province.

The Province of Ontario, where Ottawa and Toronto are located, does not participate in the Provincial Nomination Program at the present time. Individuals, interested in residing in Ontario, after they immigrate to Canada, must qualify for a Canada Immigration Visa under one of the other categories of Canadian Immigration.
Provincial Nomination Program Processing Times vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa office to another