There is still uncertainty over whether this is due to a miscommunication or if PEI is trying to alter the eligibility criteria for the Express Entry. As reported earlier, PEI is seeking more information from candidates who apply to the Express Entry program to determine their eligibility criteria. PEI is likely trying to put together a system that meets the demands of the Federal government, but it is not clear how that is going to happen. The Government of Prince Edward Island has postponed its March Expression of Interest draw from Talent i.e. the PEXI or Preferential Economic Zone Express Entry Canada program.
On July 8, the Island announced its intention to create a new action plan. A month later on August 12, the Island announced its intention to delay the deadline by one month to October 2020. The Island has now been postponing the deadline at least six times and it is not a step that seems to be well thought out.
It is possible that PEI will meet the requirements of the Federal government. In fact, there are a number of provinces in Canada that have implemented the Preference system without problems.
It is also possible that PEI will meet the requirements of the Province of Quebec and will, therefore, be able to use this program to lure Canadians to come and live and work in the province. In that case, Quebec will still be able to expand the province's territory and increase its tax base.
In the meantime, it appears that PEI is merely trying to be flexible and divert attention from an ongoing concern. Perhaps PEI is hoping to avoid scrutiny, not because the Province is unwilling to deal with immigration, but rather, because the Federal government is concerned about too many newcomers.
Of course, the Province can always appeal to the Federal government for help. Unfortunately, because the province is under investigation by the United States Department of Homeland Security, it is unlikely that the Federal government would be willing to provide the funding necessary to get this thing done.
The Province cannot afford to lose more than half of its revenue stream from the H-2A Temporary Workers Program or the Immigrant Investor Program. It is too costly to have the immigrants go through two programs.
As I pointed out in my previous articles, it is certainly true that PEI does not want to receive too many immigrants. The province will need to either reduce the number of immigrants it accepts or it must place a cap on the number of immigrants allowed in.
In my view, that means the Province must find a way to allow a large number of immigrants, but there are very few options that will satisfy this requirement. The only way that PEI can make this situation better is to either lower the number of immigrants it accepts or make it difficult for anyone to qualify for the program.
That would mean PEI would need to lower the requirements to meet the Federal government's requirements and thus make it difficult for anybody to qualify. That would be unacceptable to the federal government and they could not tolerate it.
There is no way that PEI will be able to hire the number of immigrants it wants to or it can't make it all happen. Those who fear that PEI will hurt the economy should remember that the province has to compete with provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.
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