Maple News reports that Ontario has surpassed its 2020 immigration nomination quota under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), issuing 8,050 nominations—well above its original federal allocation of 7,600. This overage includes 400 additional nominations reallocated during the year and 50 more reserved for National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level C positions, which cover intermediate-skilled occupations.
This surge reflects the province’s proactive efforts to attract skilled talent despite system limitations. The OINP contributes significantly to Canada’s broader Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which welcomed approximately 61,000 newcomers in 2020. As announced in Canada’s updated immigration levels plan, the PNP target will rise to over 80,800 immigrants annually by 2023, signaling increased opportunities for provincial nominees across the country.
All applications that were not processed by year-end will now roll over to Ontario’s 2021 nomination quota. While the official allocation for the new year has yet to be announced, analysts expect Ontario’s share to grow in line with national trends.
On December 15, Ontario held its final nomination rounds for the year. A dedicated Tech Draw invited 668 Express Entry candidates with eligible tech sector experience, while 19 entrepreneurs received invitations through the OINP Entrepreneur Stream. These draws emphasized Ontario’s commitment to address both workforce shortages and entrepreneurship growth in the province.
In response to growing demand and system challenges, Ontario plans to launch a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system in early 2021. Currently, OINP streams such as the Employer Job Offer category operate on a first-come-first-served basis, which has led to repeated technical breakdowns and applicant frustration.
The EOI system will replace the current model with a points-based approach. Applicants will submit profiles and receive scores based on factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency. Ontario will then issue invitations to the highest-scoring candidates, improving transparency and efficiency in the OINP selection process.
The new EOI system is expected to initially cover key immigration streams, including the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream, International Student Stream, and In-Demand Skills Stream. This marks a significant modernization of Ontario’s immigration infrastructure and aligns it with other provinces like Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which have long used EOI systems to manage their nomination programs.
As competition among provinces intensifies for global talent, Ontario’s strategic updates signal a commitment to innovation and responsiveness in a rapidly evolving immigration environment.