Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued fresh invitations to candidates in the Express Entry pool on November 4, targeting two specific pathways: the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream and the Skilled Trades stream. These invitations, referred to as Notifications of Interest (NOIs), aim to attract bilingual talent and fill in-demand trades roles across the province.
These two Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system, allowing invited candidates who receive a provincial nomination to gain an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This significant boost typically secures an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in an upcoming federal Express Entry draw.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s platform for managing applications under three main programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Applicants are evaluated based on key factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English or French.
For the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream, eligible candidates must demonstrate strong bilingual skills. Specifically, they must meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in French and a minimum of 6 in English. Additionally, they must qualify under either the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which require education and relevant work experience.
Meanwhile, the Skilled Trades stream is designed for candidates with hands-on experience in occupations within NOC Major Groups 72 (industrial, electrical, and construction trades), 73 (general trades), 82 (supervisors and technical roles in natural resources, agriculture, and production), and Minor Group 633 (butchers and bakers). Applicants must have at least one year of cumulative, paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Ontario within the last two years.
Candidates who receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario have 45 days to submit their provincial nomination application online. This process can be completed either by the candidate or a designated representative. While the application takes approximately three hours to fill out, it does not have to be completed in one session. A non-refundable processing fee of CAD 1,500 applies, payable by Visa, Mastercard, or affiliated debit cards.
Ontario’s proactive approach through targeted Express Entry draws continues to strengthen its workforce by attracting qualified newcomers who offer valuable language skills and technical expertise. These draws also affirm Ontario’s commitment to supporting Canada’s immigration goals while responding to provincial labor market demands.