Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 754 invitations on March 2 to Express Entry candidates with professional backgrounds in select high-demand occupations. These candidates had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranging from 463 to 467 and were targeted through Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream.
This draw focused on attracting skilled professionals in 10 targeted National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes. These roles span business, finance, healthcare, and marketing sectors, reflecting Ontario’s ongoing efforts to fill talent shortages in its labor market. The list includes occupations such as financial auditors, marketing managers, HR professionals, registered nurses, and consultants in business management.
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed at least one year of work experience in one of the specified occupations. Those invited can now apply for a provincial nomination. If successful, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points, effectively securing their chances of being selected in a future federal Express Entry draw for permanent residency.
This latest round mirrors Ontario’s previous HCP-focused draw, which was held on February 2. Maple News notes that consistent targeting of the same occupations signals the province’s ongoing demand in these areas and its strategy to maintain workforce growth during Canada’s post-pandemic recovery.
According to Maple News, Ontario has shown a strong commitment to leveraging the Express Entry system to meet its labor needs. In 2020 alone, the province issued 6,716 invitations through the HCP stream—making it the most utilized stream among Ontario’s Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Programs that year.
The integration of Ontario’s PNP with the federal Express Entry system plays a pivotal role in Canada’s immigration strategy. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination can expect a significant boost in their CRS score, pushing them to the top of the selection pool. This pathway helps address regional labor gaps while offering newcomers a fast-track to permanent residency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) leaned heavily on PNP-focused draws as part of its adaptive immigration strategy. These draws have continued, reflecting Canada’s prioritization of provincial labor market needs within its broader immigration agenda.
With its strong economy and growing industries, Ontario remains a top destination for skilled immigrants. The recent draw reaffirms the province’s targeted approach to attract global talent that aligns with its evolving workforce priorities.