The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced an exciting new opportunity for skilled immigrants: the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This innovative pilot program will run from January 2 to December 31, 2025, aiming to address labor shortages in key industries across four rural and northern regions of Ontario.
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Overview of the REDI Pilot Program
The REDI pilot program seeks to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four targeted regions:
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Sarnia-Lambton
- Thunder Bay
Newcomers approved through the REDI program will receive a provincial nomination from the OINP. This nomination can be used to apply for permanent residence (PR) through Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Objectives of the REDI Program
The program focuses on addressing critical labor shortages in industries that are essential to local growth. Key sectors include:
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Skilled Trades (e.g., Construction)
By channeling skilled talent to these regions, the REDI program aims to stimulate economic growth and sustainability.
How the REDI Program Functions
The REDI pilot program will process applications through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. Each of the four regions will receive 200 additional nominations. These nominations will be allocated across three OINP job-offer streams:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the REDI pilot program, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria of one of the OINP’s job offer streams. Additionally, candidates must:
- Have a valid job offer from an employer in one of the four participating regions.
- Intend to reside in Ontario.
- Be licensed or authorized to practice their occupation (if the job is regulated).
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent.
- Occupation classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Pays a wage equal to or greater than the median wage in Ontario.
- Position is critical to the employer’s business.
Candidate Requirements:
- Hold a valid license (if required).
- Have at least two years of work experience in the same occupation as the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code of the job offer.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent.
- Occupation classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Pays a wage equal to or greater than the low wage level in Ontario.
- Position is critical to the employer’s business.
Candidate Requirements:
- Must have completed post-secondary education in Canada within two years of applying.
- Educational credentials must be from an eligible institution in Ontario.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-time and permanent.
- Occupation classified as eligible for this stream.
- Pays a wage equal to or greater than the median wage in Ontario.
- Position is critical to the employer’s business.
Candidate Requirements:
- Nine months of work experience in the same occupation.
- High school diploma.
- Language proficiency at CLB 4 or higher.
For all streams, candidates can verify wage levels and occupation eligibility through Canada’s Job Bank.
Background of the REDI Pilot Program
The REDI program builds upon the success of the OINP Regional Pilot, which ended in 2020. The previous pilot allocated 300 additional provincial nominations to regions such as Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West. The initiative successfully met its allocation and highlighted the effectiveness of regional immigration programs in addressing labor shortages.
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Economic Impact
The OINP estimates that integrating skilled immigrants into their trained professions could contribute up to CAD 100 billion to Ontario’s GDP over the next five years. This program exemplifies the province’s commitment to sustainable economic growth through strategic immigration.
About Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Canada’s PNPs are essential to distributing the benefits of immigration across the country. While most immigrants settle in metropolitan hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, smaller communities often face labor shortages. PNPs enable provinces to nominate skilled workers to address these gaps and support demographic and economic goals.
By fostering growth in rural and northern communities, the REDI pilot program exemplifies the broader mission of Canada’s PNPs to ensure balanced and inclusive development.
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