On This Page, You Will Find:
- The six Ontario communities participating in the relaunched REDI initiative
- How the regional immigration program will operate until December 2027
- Which foreign workers could benefit from the initiative
- How REDI fits into Ontario’s new Workforce Priority Stream
- Why Ontario has changed the participating communities
- What employers and immigration candidates should do next
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Ontario has relaunched a regional immigration initiative that will reserve provincial nomination spaces for skilled foreign workers in six northern and rural communities until the end of 2027.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced the latest phase of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative on October 16, following program updates issued on October 14.
The initiative aims to help regional employers recruit international workers to address labour shortages while encouraging newcomers to settle outside the Greater Toronto Area.
The six participating communities are Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay.
Ontario has expanded the initiative from four communities under its previous pilot to six, although Thunder Bay is the only location returning from the earlier program.
The relaunch also marks an important development following Ontario’s major immigration reforms earlier this year, which replaced its previous provincial nominee streams with a new Workforce Priority Stream.
The province has not yet disclosed how many nomination spaces each participating community will receive.
Which Ontario Communities Are Included In The New REDI Initiative?
Ontario has selected six communities for the 2026–2027 phase of the Regional Economic Development through Immigration initiative.
| Participating community | Region |
|---|---|
| Greater Sudbury | Northern Ontario |
| Kenora District | Northwestern Ontario |
| Nipissing District | Northeastern Ontario |
| Rainy River District | Northwestern Ontario |
| Renfrew County | Eastern Ontario |
| Thunder Bay | Northwestern Ontario |
The initiative covers the designated census divisions rather than necessarily limiting eligibility to the principal city or town.
Ontario selected the communities following an expression of interest process launched in spring 2026.
The province assessed applications based on several factors, including local labour shortages, economic development opportunities, employer participation and the ability to support newcomers.
Healthcare workforce shortages were among the specific labour market challenges considered.
Ontario also examined whether communities had the settlement services, municipal support and local partnerships needed to help newcomers establish themselves.
The selected locations reflect the province’s efforts to direct more economic immigration towards communities that struggle to attract and retain workers through traditional immigration pathways.
How Does Ontario’s Regional Immigration Initiative Work?
The REDI initiative operates within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program rather than as a separate immigration stream.
Its central feature is the allocation of provincial nomination spaces to participating communities.
These spaces allow Ontario to target immigration candidates who can help local employers address labour shortages.
There is no separate REDI application process.
Instead, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements of the OINP and follow its existing application procedures.
The initiative also provides additional support to employers in participating communities.
This includes information sessions and business services to help employers understand how provincial immigration can support their recruitment needs.
Regional partners work with the OINP to encourage employer participation and identify local workforce challenges.
The latest initiative will operate until December 31, 2027.
However, Ontario has not announced the nomination allocation for each community or published a schedule of REDI-specific invitation rounds.
How Does REDI Fit Into Ontario’s New Workforce Priority Stream?
The relaunch comes after Ontario introduced significant changes to its provincial immigration system in June 2026.
The province replaced its former immigration streams with a single Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, creating a new employer-led framework for selecting candidates.
The redesigned system opened for Expressions of Interest on August 4.
The Workforce Priority Stream includes three pathways:
- A job-offer pathway for occupations classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2 and 3.
- A job-offer pathway for occupations classified under NOC TEER categories 4 and 5.
- A pathway for eligible self-employed physicians who do not require a job offer.
The new system gives Ontario greater flexibility to select workers according to provincial labour market priorities.
The REDI initiative provides a regional focus within that broader immigration framework.
Candidates interested in participating communities must still satisfy the relevant provincial eligibility requirements.
For most applicants, this means securing an eligible job offer from an Ontario employer that meets the program’s requirements.
The employer must participate in the OINP’s employer-led application process before the candidate can register a qualifying Expression of Interest.
Ontario also awards additional points under the Workforce Priority Stream’s scoring system for employment in regions outside Toronto.
Eligible employment in Northern Ontario attracts 15 regional points, while employment in Eastern Ontario attracts 10.
These scoring factors can strengthen the position of candidates seeking employment outside the Greater Toronto Area, although they do not guarantee an invitation.
For more information, read our complete guide to Ontario’s Workforce Priority Stream.
Which Foreign Workers Could Benefit From REDI?
The relaunched initiative could provide opportunities for skilled foreign workers who want to settle in smaller Ontario communities.
Healthcare workers and skilled tradespeople are particularly relevant because Ontario has identified these sectors as important beneficiaries of its regional immigration initiatives.
The province has also highlighted the need to support economic diversification and address workforce shortages that local employers cannot fill.
Potential beneficiaries may include workers in:
- Healthcare and related occupations
- Construction and skilled trades
- Manufacturing and industrial occupations
- Other occupations experiencing demonstrated local labour shortages
These are examples of sectors that could benefit rather than a published REDI-specific list of eligible occupations.
Candidates must meet the requirements of the appropriate OINP pathway, including any applicable conditions relating to employment, work experience, language ability and qualifications.
A job offer in one of the six communities does not automatically make someone eligible for nomination.
Ontario retains responsibility for selecting candidates, issuing invitations and assessing provincial nomination applications.
Successful nominees must also meet federal requirements before receiving permanent residence.
Why Has Ontario Changed The Participating Communities?
Ontario’s decision to expand REDI follows several years of experience with targeted regional immigration.
The province began its regional immigration initiative in 2020 with three partner communities.
It expanded the approach in January 2025 through a pilot involving four areas:
- Lanark County
- Leeds and Grenville
- Sarnia-Lambton
- Thunder Bay
Ontario initially allocated 200 nomination spaces to each community, creating a combined allocation of 800 spaces under the 2025 pilot.
The program aimed to help employers recruit workers in sectors including healthcare, technology, construction and other skilled trades.
The province says its regional immigration efforts have supported the nomination of nearly 1,000 workers across seven partner communities since the initiative began.
The 2026–2027 phase introduces five communities that did not participate in the immediately preceding pilot.
Thunder Bay remains the only returning location.
Ontario has not provided a detailed explanation for removing the other three communities.
However, the province’s published selection criteria show that it considered workforce needs, local economic conditions, community support and settlement capacity when choosing the new partners.
The revised selection also increases the initiative’s presence across Northern Ontario.
Four of the six participating areas are in northern or northwestern parts of the province, while Greater Sudbury and Nipissing add further coverage in the northeast.
Renfrew County provides representation in Eastern Ontario.
The new geographic distribution suggests Ontario wants to extend targeted immigration support to a wider range of communities experiencing recruitment difficulties.
What Does The Initiative Mean For Ontario Employers?
Employers in participating communities could benefit from additional opportunities to recruit and retain foreign workers.
The initiative aims to address labour shortages that employers cannot meet through the local workforce.
Ontario will work with community partners to increase awareness of the provincial nominee program and help businesses understand the application process.
Under the new Workforce Priority Stream, most candidates need an employer willing to participate in the nomination process.
Employers must meet provincial eligibility requirements, including applicable rules concerning their business operations, revenue and the employment position.
Ontario applies lower employer revenue thresholds to qualifying rural communities under its redesigned immigration system.
This could make the program more accessible to some businesses outside major urban centres.
However, employers should confirm that they satisfy the relevant OINP requirements before offering a position to a prospective immigration candidate.
Businesses interested in REDI can contact the provincial immigration program to request information or employer consultations.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
Foreign workers interested in the relaunched REDI initiative should first determine whether they meet the requirements of Ontario’s Workforce Priority Stream.
Most applicants will need an eligible job offer from an employer in one of the six participating regions.
Candidates should also establish whether their occupation, qualifications and employment circumstances satisfy the relevant pathway requirements.
Once their employer has completed the necessary steps, eligible candidates can register an Expression of Interest through Ontario’s application system.
The province can then select candidates for invitations based on its scoring system and immigration priorities.
Applicants should not assume that living or working in a REDI community guarantees selection.
Ontario has also not confirmed when the first invitations specifically targeting the relaunched initiative will be issued.
Candidates can follow our Ontario immigration draws page for developments involving provincial invitations and nomination opportunities.
The REDI relaunch shows that Ontario continues to see regional immigration as an important tool for economic development.
By extending the initiative until the end of 2027 and expanding its geographic coverage, the province is seeking to connect immigration more closely with the workforce needs of smaller communities.
The impact will depend on how many nomination spaces Ontario ultimately allocates, how actively employers participate and how effectively participating communities attract and retain newcomers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Ontario’s REDI Immigration Initiative?
The Regional Economic Development through Immigration initiative is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. It helps selected communities recruit skilled foreign workers to address local labour shortages. Participating regions receive allocated provincial nomination spaces and employer support. The latest phase runs until December 31, 2027, and includes six communities.
Which Ontario Communities Are Eligible For REDI In 2026 And 2027?
The six participating communities are Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay. Ontario selected these areas based on labour market needs, economic development opportunities, employer participation and settlement capacity. Thunder Bay is the only community returning from the previous four-community REDI pilot.
Do I Need A Job Offer To Qualify For Ontario’s REDI Initiative?
Most candidates will need an eligible job offer from an employer participating in Ontario’s Workforce Priority Stream. They must also satisfy the relevant provincial immigration requirements. REDI does not have a separate application process. The broader Workforce Priority Stream includes an exception for certain self-employed physicians, but Ontario has not announced separate REDI selection rules for them.
How Many Immigration Nominations Are Available Under REDI?
Ontario has not disclosed the number of nomination spaces allocated to each community for 2026–2027. Under the previous pilot, the province reserved 200 spaces for each of four participating areas. The new initiative covers six communities, but applicants should not assume that the previous allocation will continue.
Can I Apply Directly For Permanent Residence Through REDI?
No. REDI operates through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program rather than providing a separate direct application route to permanent residence. Eligible candidates must follow the OINP application process and receive a provincial nomination. Successful nominees can then apply for permanent residence through the appropriate federal immigration process, subject to federal eligibility requirements.