Maple News reports that significant changes are coming to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), granting the province more authority to shape its immigration streams. Starting July 1, 2025, new legislation under the Working for Workers Seven Act takes effect, enabling the Ontario government to return applications prior to issuing a provincial nomination.
The amendment empowers Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to assess applications more carefully and decline to process those that do not align with the province’s current labor priorities. In such cases, applicants will be notified, and their full application fees will be refunded.
Beginning in July, the OINP may return applications based on various criteria including nomination allocation limits, labor market alignment, and risks to program integrity. The goal, according to Ontario officials, is to focus on “high-quality applications” that fulfill urgent workforce demands.
Another major change is the implementation of mandatory in-person interviews for employers and applicants. However, accommodations will be available for those who require them. This measure is expected to strengthen the assessment of employer-offered jobs and candidate suitability.
In a bid to boost recruitment in the early childhood education sector, Ontario has also relaxed educational requirements for candidates in the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) and French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams. If an applicant’s primary occupation is NOC 42202 – Early Childhood Educators and Assistants, and they are members of the College of Early Childhood Educators, then no minimum education threshold will apply.
Additionally, the province has launched a new electronic Employer Portal, completing the transition to an employer-led application intake process for the Employer: Job Offer streams. As a result, all existing Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under these streams have been withdrawn. Applicants must now collaborate with their employers to submit new EOIs.
These changes enhance Ontario’s flexibility in configuring its provincial nominee streams. The province will now have the authority to add or remove streams based on evolving labor market conditions, providing a more dynamic immigration system.
With these updates, Ontario demonstrates a more responsive and strategic approach to immigration, prioritizing both labor market alignment and program integrity.
Maple News will continue to monitor and provide updates on how these reforms will shape opportunities for both employers and skilled immigrants in Ontario.