So far in 2021, IRCC has only been drawing two types of candidates from the Express Entry pool PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The reason is pandemic-related. Express Entry candidates who are eligible for the PNP or CEC are highly likely to be in Canada already. PNP candidates have demonstrated to a province that they will succeed in the Canadian labour market. The function of the PNP is to tune in on where there are gaps in the workforce. The programs that future immigrants apply to at the provincial level were curated to fix those gaps. When immigrants get nominated for them, it means they fill a need in the regional labour market. Federal programs cannot fill regional needs in the same way.
All this to say, it is important for the federal government to keep working with the provinces to support their immigration goals. Now that approved permanent residents are exempt from travel restrictions, PNP applicants abroad can complete their landing in Canada and become permanent residents.