Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has detailed how it will score candidates for its three new pathways to permanent residence. The highest-scoring applicants will be invited to apply for provincial nomination under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), with successful nominees gaining permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Under the OWPS, each job-offer candidate can earn up to 130 points, allocated across three criteria: work region, occupation skill level (TEER), and compensation.
Work region accounts for up to 15 points and is determined by where in Ontario the job is located. Regions and points are: Northern Ontario — 15 points; Eastern Ontario — 10 points; Central Ontario (outside GTA) — 10 points; Southwestern Ontario — 10 points; Outside Toronto but within the Greater Toronto Area — 5 points; Toronto — 0 points.
Occupation skill level uses the TEER framework from Canada’s National Occupation System to assign up to 9 points. TEER 0 (management positions) and TEER 1 (jobs typically requiring a university degree) each carry 9 points. TEER 2 (supervisory roles or jobs typically requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of at least 2 years) and TEER 3 (jobs typically requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or requiring at least 6 months of on-the-job training) each carry 6 points. TEER 4 (jobs typically requiring a high school diploma or short on-the-job training) and TEER 5 (jobs requiring only short-term work demonstration) receive 0 points.
Compensation accounts for up to 15 points and is based on the hourly wage offered: ≥ $40 — 15 points; $35–$39.99 — 12 points; $30–$34.99 — 10 points; $25–$29.99 — 8 points; $20–$24.99 — 5 points; <$20 — 0 points. Ontario’s framework underscores a focus on regional labour demand and the value of higher skill and pay in eligible job offers. Maple News will continue to monitor how the OWPS is implemented and what it means for prospective applicants navigating the enhanced streams.