Maple News reports that Ontario has received a federal allocation to issue 8,600 provincial nominations in 2021, supporting its mission to attract skilled immigrants and bolster the province’s labour market. Of these, 8,350 nominations fall under Ontario’s standard Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with an additional 250 directed at temporary foreign workers employed in occupations classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level C. These roles typically require high school education or specific vocational training.
This year’s allocation reflects a modest increase from 8,054 nominations issued in 2020, despite the pandemic’s impact on immigration processing. In 2019, Ontario issued 7,391 nominations. The rising trend underlines the province’s ongoing efforts to welcome more skilled immigrants. Notably, Ontario had previously petitioned the federal government to raise its nomination limit to 13,300 by 2022.
In 2021, Ontario introduced a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system under its Employer Job Offer Category. This system allows immigration candidates to register year-round for an opportunity to be nominated by the province. The EOI model applies to programs outside the federal Express Entry system, providing additional pathways for international talent to access immigration streams tailored to provincial needs.
Ontario remains Canada’s top destination for newcomers, thanks to its strong economy and diverse communities. The province’s PNPs enable it to address specific labour market demands by nominating applicants who are best suited to fill regional talent gaps. Many immigrants nominated through Ontario’s streams find employment within their first year of arrival, often due to prior Canadian education or work experience.
Available programs vary depending on candidates’ qualifications and ties to Ontario. For instance, the Human Capital Priorities Stream allows skilled workers to be nominated without prior Canadian experience, while other streams, like the Masters Graduate and Employer Job Offer categories, require education in Ontario or a confirmed job offer.
Ontario’s PNPs fall into two categories: base and enhanced. Base streams operate independently from the federal Express Entry system and often require direct applications to the province. Enhanced streams, however, are aligned with Express Entry and allow Ontario to invite high-ranking candidates from the federal pool, boosting their chances of permanent residence.
While a provincial nomination significantly enhances an applicant’s prospects, final immigration decisions rest solely with the federal government. Nonetheless, a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score within the Express Entry system, nearly guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Individuals can also bypass the PNP process altogether by applying directly through the Express Entry system. This federal mechanism fast-tracks applications for qualified workers in high-demand occupations across Canada, setting a high bar for skilled newcomers aiming to thrive in the country’s workforce.