2019-12-19 – Ontario has announced the launch of a new Regional Immigration Pilot designed to attract newcomers to smaller communities.
The two-year Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program pilot aims to fulfill labour needs that are not currently being met locally.
It will focus specifically on the communities of Chatham-Kent, Cornwall and Belleville/Quinte West.
“Our government is committed to growing economic immigration and connecting job creators in small and rural communities with the talent they need to expand and succeed,” said Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli.
“Through the Regional Immigration Pilot, businesses in Belleville/Quinte West, Chatham-Kent and Cornwall now have the ability to meet their employment requirements and create even more good jobs.”
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The launch follows a consultation period with a number of stakeholders in smaller Ontario communities.
The pilot will have an allocation of approximately 150 nominations, falling under the existing OINP Employer Job Offer category.
The Employer Job Offer category is designed to help employers fill labour gaps in professional, managerial and in-demand occupations with foreign workers and international students.
Candidates can apply from within or outside Canada.
Meanwhile, Ontario has also announced its intention to add manufacturing National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes to the OINP In-Demand Skills Stream in 2020.
Ontario has requested an increase in its federal government nomination allocation for 2020. It received an allocation of 6,650 in 2019, plus 250 under the NOC C initiative.
After meeting the allocation in early December, Ontario received an additional 700 places.
