Hi David,

I recently received my permanent residency visa which I applied for through a provincial nominee program. I have settled in the province that nominated me, however I have been advised by someone that a declaration that was part of the PNP application where I stated that I intend to use the Permanent Residency visa to settle in the province in question is binding and implies that I will settle in the province permanently. This alarms me because even though I am comfortable in the province now I cannot tell where future opportunities and situatons might take me. From my understanding such a restriction of permanent settlement within a province would be an infringement of my charter rights which allow for mobility rights. I was wondering what your take on this is.

Thanks,
Isabelle

Provinces do not generally have any means of forcing a Canadian permanent resident to remain. Although your selection in a nominee program was based on a declaration of an intention to reside in that province, you are free to relocate subject to whatever agreement you made with the province.