VANCOUVER An unprecedented number of people have recently been invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada through a program aimed at attracting skilled workers, following a year that saw immigration numbers plummet during the pandemic. About 27,300 people received an invitation to apply through an online system called Express Entry on Feb. 13. Eligible candidates have at least one year of Canadian work experience and meet English or French language requirements set by the government. About 90 per cent are already living in Canada, including Vanessa and Marcio Leal and their 12 year-old son in Metro Vancouver. “This is better than winning Lotto Max,” Marcio said, as he described how it felt to receive an invitation earlier this month. “Now I can say my son has a bright future full of opportunity ahead of him.”