Extension of the Canada-British Columbia Immigration Agreement 2021

(Extension Agreement)

Between:

His Majesty the King in right of Canada
as represented by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
(hereinafter referred to as “Canada” or the “Government of Canada”)

and

The government of British Columbia
as represented by the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
(hereinafter referred to as “British Columbia” or the “Government of British Columbia”)

Whereas Canada and British Columbia (the “Parties”) entered into the 2021 Canada-British Columbia Immigration Agreement (the “Agreement”) on April 1, 2021, for a duration of five (5) years ending on April 1, 2026.

Whereas the Agreement provides for its extension or amendment by the mutual written consent of the Parties, subject to any required approval or authorization including the approval of the Governor in Council for Canada and the Lieutenant Governor in Council for British Columbia.

Whereas the Parties have agreed to extend the term of the Agreement by a period of one (1) year.

And whereas amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations have recently been proposed;

Now therefore the Parties agree as follows:

1. Section 12.7.10 of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five (5) years” and replacing it with “six (6) years” thereby extending the term of the Agreement by one year to April 1, 2027.
2. Section 10.2 of Annex A (Provincial Nominees) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five (5) years” and replacing it with “six (6) years” thereby extending the term of the Annex by one year to April 1, 2027.
3. Should the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations be amended substantially as proposed by the draft regulations published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 8 (22 February 2025) then on the date that these amendments come into force, section 4.12 of Annex A: Provincial Nominees is amended to read as follows:
   1. British Columbia is solely responsible for ascertaining an applicant’s ability to economically establish and settle in British Columbia, and will conduct due diligence to ensure the applicant’s ability to do so. In exercising its responsibilities under sections 4.2 and 4.18 and sections 6.1 to 6.7, Canada may also seek clarification and request documentation from British Columbia on its assessment, the record of which is required under section 4.11 and Annex D: Information Sharing.
4. Section 13.1 of Annex B (Foreign Workers) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five (5) years” and replacing it with “six (6) years” thereby extending the term of the Annex B by one year to April 1, 2027.
5. Section 9.1 of Annex C (International Students) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five (5) years” and replacing it with “six (6) years” thereby extending the term of the Annex C by one year to April 1, 2027.
6. Section 17.1 of Annex D (Information Sharing) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five (5) years” and replacing it with “six (6) years” thereby extending the term of the Annex D by one year to April 1, 2027.
7. Section 11.1 of Schedule A to Annex D (Provincial Nominee Information Sharing) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “5 years” and replacing it with “6 years” thereby extending the term of Schedule A to Annex D by one year to April 1, 2027.
8. Section 9.1 of Schedule B to Annex D (Express Entry, Information Sharing) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “five years” and replacing it with “six years” thereby extending the term of Schedule B to Annex D by one year to April 1, 2027.
9. Section 12.1 of Schedule C to Annex D (Research Information Sharing) of the Agreement is amended by deleting “5 years” and replacing it with “6 years” thereby extending the term of Schedule C to Annex D by one year to April 1, 2027.
10. This Extension Agreement will come into effect on the date that it is signed by the last of the Parties to do so.
11. This Extension Agreement may be entered into by each Party signing a separate copy of this Extension Agreement (including a photocopy, facsimile, or electronic submission) and delivering it to the other Party each of which when taken together, shall constitute an original Agreement.
12. All other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain the same and in full force and effect.

In witness whereof, this extension agreement is signed by the parties on the dates written below

For the Government of Canada

For the Government of British Columbia