Maple News reports that on May 25, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to 64 skilled foreign workers under its Regional Immigration Pilot, a targeted initiative designed to support rural labor markets across the province. The selected individuals were invited through the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system and may now apply for permanent residence via the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.
This marks the third draw since Ontario introduced its new EOI intake system in April 2021 and is notably the first draw focused specifically on the Regional Immigration Pilot, which was launched in 2020. The pilot aims to address chronic labour shortages in smaller communities by matching skilled international talent with employers outside major metropolitan areas.
The Regional Immigration Pilot designates 150 nomination spots in 2021 to three selected communities—Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Quinte West/Belleville. These locations were chosen after demonstrating an urgent need for skilled workers and an ability to support the settlement and retention of newcomers.
Through this pilot, foreign workers who hold full-time job offers in these communities may qualify for a provincial nomination, provided they are eligible under one of the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. These include the Foreign Worker Stream, designed for candidates with a skilled job offer; the International Student Stream, tailored for recent international graduates with job offers; and the In-Demand Skills Stream, for candidates in occupations facing acute shortages in Ontario.
A nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) significantly strengthens a candidate’s chances of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. While final approval remains in the hands of the federal government, provincial nominations are generally viewed as strong endorsements due to their alignment with regional economic needs.
Ontario’s Regional Immigration Pilot is scheduled to run for two years, after which it will be assessed for effectiveness and potential continuation. Its performance will likely influence future rural immigration strategies both in Ontario and across Canada.
As Ontario continues to attract the majority of newcomers to Canada, province-led initiatives like this one aim to distribute economic benefits more evenly and fill critical workforce gaps outside the Greater Toronto Area.