April 11, 2019 – Ontario has announced plans to create a dedicated provincial stream aimed at skilled technology workers through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The initiative was part of several developments included in the provincial government budget, announced on Thursday April 11, 2019.
Others include a pilot to help bring skilled worker immigrants to Ontario’s smaller communities, expansion of the OINP’s existing Entrepreneur Stream and the addition of truck drivers and personal support workers to the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream.
The budget statement said: “Through the modernization of the OINP, and in tandem with its other initiatives, the government will continue to ensure that Ontario’s workforce remains among the most highly skilled for the modern economy.”
It added: “Ontario’s government … calls on the federal government to work with the province to ensure that the OINP’s nomination allocation and the NOC codes are fair and allow the province to meet its evolving labour market and unique economic needs.”
In a brief statement containing few details, the Ontario government outlined its plan for the OINP in four areas.
New Technology Sector Stream
Ontario says: “The government will create a dedicated stream to help Ontario’s technology sector attract highly skilled employees.”
The technology sector stream is a response to the growing IT industry in Ontario, centred around Toronto which is considered the fastest growing tech market in North America.
An OINP technology skilled worker stream follow the federal government’s successful Global Talent Stream for tech workers, and also British Columbia’s BC PNP Tech Pilot, which gives technology workers priority for BC nominations.
New Immigration Pilot For Smaller Communities
Ontario says: “To spread the benefits of immigration to smaller communities, the government will begin a pilot initiative with select communities to explore innovative approaches to bring highly skilled immigrants to smaller communities.”
Ontario’s smaller communities have often complained they are overlooked in terms of their struggles to attract high skilled immigrants.
While the province as a whole attracts thousands of new immigrants each year, the vast majority settle in Toronto and Ottawa, leaving other areas to struggle with shrinking labour markets and aging populations.
The pilot would follow the federal Northern and Rural Immigration Pilot that launched earlier in 2019.
Adding New Occupations To The Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Ontario says: “To better reflect employer and labour market needs, the government will seek to expand the occupations eligible for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream to include transport truck drivers and personal support workers.”
The existing Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream targets candidates with specific skilled in-demand in Ontario.
Among other requirements, applicants must have a permanent, full-time job offer and one year of cumulative work experience in the last three years in one of the eligible occupations.
Expanding the OINP Entrepreneur Stream
Ontario says: “To expand the prospective base of the OINP’s Entrepreneur Stream, the government will recalibrate investment and net worth thresholds to make Ontario competitive with other provinces.”
Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at individuals from outside Canada who want to start a business or buy an already existing business in Ontario.
Currently, the minimum net worth for a business inside the Greater Toronto Area is $1.5 million, and $800,000 for a business outside the GTA. The investment requirement is $1 million within the GTA and $500,000 outside. Candidates must own at least 33 per cent of the business.
Read More
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- Ontario Conducts New Draw Targeting Express Entry Skilled Trades Candidates
- Ontario Receives 333 Of Targeted 1,000 Masters Graduate Stream Applications
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Gets 2019 Nomination Allocation Boost
- Ontario’s 2018 Nominations Represent 13,571 Potential New Permanent Residents
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