Canada PR 2025: Ontario’s New REDI Pilot Program | OINP Process

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has unveiled a new regional economic immigration initiative called the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This program will run from January 2 to December 31, 2025. It aims to attract up to 800 skilled immigrants to specific rural and northern regions in Ontario.

Target Regions

The REDI pilot program focuses on four key areas:

• Lanark
• Leeds and Grenville
• Sarnia-Lambton
• Thunder Bay

Approved newcomers will receive a provincial nomination from the OINP. They can then apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency (PR).

How the Program Works

The REDI pilot program will process applications through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. Each participating region will receive 200 additional nominations. These nominations will be issued through the OINP’s three job-offer streams.

The primary goal of the REDI program is to tackle labor shortages in critical sectors. It will specifically focus on areas such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, including construction.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the REDI pilot program, applicants must meet the requirements of one of the OINP’s job offer streams. A qualifying job offer from an Ontario employer is essential. The offer must be from a business located in one of the targeted regions.

For all streams, candidates must:

• Intend to reside in Ontario.
• Be licensed or authorized to practice their occupation if it is regulated.

Specific Stream Requirements

Here are the eligibility criteria for each job offer stream:

1. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

Job Offer Requirements:

• Full-time and permanent position
• Occupation in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Wage equal to or greater than the median wage for the occupation in Ontario
• Based in Ontario
• Position critical for the employer’s business

Candidate Requirements:

• Minimum work experience

2. Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

Job Offer Requirements:

• Full-time and permanent position
• Occupation in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Wage equal to or greater than the low wage level for the occupation
• Based in Ontario
• Position critical for the employer’s business

Candidate Requirements:

• Firstly, college or university education
• Also, apply for nomination within two years of completing the qualifying education

3. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

Job Offer Requirements:

• Full-time and permanent position
• Eligible occupation
• Based in Ontario
• Wage equal to or greater than the median wage for the occupation
• Position critical to the employer’s business

Candidate Requirements:

• Nine months of work experience
• Also, a high school diploma
• In addition, language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher

Background and Significance

The REDI pilot program follows the OINP Regional Pilot, which ended in 2020. The previous pilot successfully allocated around 300 provincial nominations to regions like Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West. It aimed to fill critical labor shortages through skilled immigration.

The OINP estimates that enabling skilled newcomers to work in their trained professions could boost Ontario’s GDP by up to 100 billion CAD over the next five years.

The Role of PNPs

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) serve as economic immigration pathways. They allow provincial governments to nominate foreign nationals for settlement.

These programs help distribute the benefits of immigration across Canada. Most newcomers tend to settle in major urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. PNPs target rural communities, enabling them to attract skilled immigrants who can fill labor shortages and support Canada’s demographic goals.

Federal Initiatives

Recently, the Canadian federal government launched two new pilot programs to promote regional and rural immigration:

• The Rural Community Immigration Class
• The Francophone Community Immigration Class

These initiatives aim to enhance immigration in various communities across Canada. The REDI pilot program is a vital step in this direction, offering new opportunities for skilled immigrants in Ontario.