British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Tech Pilot is no longer a pilot, says Brenda Bailey, a member of the legislative assembly in BC and Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation.

Brenda Bailey, MLA @BrendaBaileyBC

I am delighted to announce that the BC Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot will become a permanent feature of the BC PNP providing BC Companies the ability to continue to recruit international talent and support our government's work to build a sustainable economic recovery.

6:20 PM ∙ May 28, 2021

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Vancouver Tech Journal broke the news on Twitter, following the surprise announcement, which was made during a Vancouver Startup Week virtual panel. Bailey said an official announcement will come later today (May 28).

William Johnson @notionport

🚨Breaking: @BrendaBaileyBC just announced on a @vanstartupweek panel that the BC PNP Tech Pilot, which provides an expedited immigration pathway for people with tech skills, has now been made permanent.

5:21 PM ∙ May 28, 2021

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The news was welcomed by members of the province’s tech sector, including the other virtual panel members Ray Walia, CEO of Launch Ventures, and Jill Tipping, CEO of BC Tech Association.

Jill Tipping @jilliantipping

Breaking news - @BrendaBaileyBC confirms @vanstartupweek BC Government will be make the Provincial Nominee Program Tech pilot permanent! While expected - program is an essential source for tech talent - it was great to see government nimble and responsive with such positive news!

5:56 PM ∙ May 28, 2021

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Tessa Seager, a representative for the Council of Canadian Innovators, a tech industry lobby group, said the development was “very good news for B.C.’s high-growth innovation sector.”

Of the PNP, Seager added, in a statement, “This program is an efficient and effective way to address the province’s skilled talent shortage and support homegrown companies as they scale-up globally. Our members now have the certainty they need to make long-term business expansion plans and drive prosperity as we head into the great re-opening.”

Launched in 2017, the BC PNP Tech Pilot was set up to help companies address talent needs by providing a fast-tracked, permanent immigration pathway for in-demand foreign workers and international students. Since then, it has supported over 4,200 tech workers to be nominated for permanent residence.