Every province in Canada has designed specific immigration programs to target its own economic and demographic needs. These programs are referred to as Provincial Nomination Programs because the province can nominate specific individuals to be given permanent residency by the federal government.
This is how it works:
1. The foreign national applies to a provincial program he/she is eligible for.
2. The province reviews his application and, if it is approved, issues a Provincial Nomination.
3. The foreign national applies to permanent residency with the federal government by showing that they received a provincial nomination.
4. The federal government reviews the application by making sure the foreign national is not inadmissible to Canada through a medical exam, biometrics, and a criminal background check. If everything is OK, the foreign national receives permanent residency.