TORONTO — The Ontario government has launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program to target highly-skilled immigration for four rural and northern regions with a high demand for skilled labour: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. REDI enables local employers in these communities to attract up to 800 additional workers for in-demand careers that drive local economic growth, such as health care, technology, and the skilled trades, which includes construction.
“Our government is growing rural and northern economies and giving them the tools they need to build for the future,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “With REDI, we’re enabling rural and northern businesses to attract the talent they need, by providing a blueprint for targeted economic immigration that strengthens communities and drives our economic prosperity.”
The new REDI pilot will be delivered through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which prioritizes and accelerates skilled immigration to fill in-demand labour needs that cannot currently be met. Through REDI, the four participating regions have 200 additional nominations each through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams to strengthen local economic growth.
Internationally trained workers interested in applying for permanent residence under the REDI pilot, who have a job offer from an Ontario employer for a position located in one of the pilot communities, are encouraged to visit the OINP website.
“Our government is creating more opportunities for businesses in rural Ontario to attract more in-demand workers that are essential for driving local economic prosperity,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “It is because of programs such as REDI, that help develop skills needed to meet the growing demand in small towns and communities across the province, that we continue to build a strong and prosperous rural Ontario.”
The province is also training over one million local workers for in-demand careers in every corner of the province by investing up to $1.4 billion through the Skills Development Fund Capital and Training Streams in partnership with local employers, including over $250 million to train rural and northern workers to date. The new REDI pilot and investments are part of how the government is building a brighter future for all Ontarians and ensuring our province remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Quick Facts
The four regions selected for the REDI pilot were identified based on their high demand for skilled labour. The pilot is running for one year from January 2, 2025, until December 31, 2025.
The REDI pilot builds on the success of the OINP’s 2020 Regional pilot, which allocated approximately 300 nominations through the OINP Employer Job Offer category. Participating communities for the 2020 Regional pilot were: Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West.
Enabling internationally trained newcomers to work in the professions they studied for could increase the province’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years.
Ontario is investing $100 million in 2024-25 in settlement and employment services that help newcomers learn English or French, access job-ready training and land careers.
In 2023, Ontario nominated 2,045 health care workers, including physicians, nurses and personal support workers (PSWs), through the OINP.
Ontario recently passed the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 which expanded immigration pathways for self-employed physicians using the OINP, and introduced standards and enforcement mechanisms for immigration representatives who consult on OINP applications.
Quotes
"At the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, we know a skilled talent pipeline enables more competitive businesses and more prosperous communities. We welcome the launch of the Regional Economic Development through Immigration pilot program and will continue to work with the government to address the unique labour challenges of northern and rural communities."
- Daniel Tisch
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"The expansion of the REDI pilot to Thunder Bay is a crucial step in boosting the economy and driving community growth by helping local businesses attract the skilled workers they need to thrive."
- Charla Robinson
President, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
"I welcome our government’s meaningful actions to address skilled labour shortages in Thunder Bay and across Ontario through the REDI pilot program. This initiative will enable local employers to fill critical roles in sectors like health care, technology, and skilled trades, fueling economic growth and providing our communities with the tools they need to succeed and thrive."
- Kevin Holland
MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan
"I’m pleased Leeds Grenville has been selected for the REDI pilot because workforce retention and a shortage of skilled labour are significant challenges for employers across a variety of sectors. REDI is a tremendous opportunity to continue growing our economy and also improve access to health care by targeting skilled workers such as doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and personal support workers and bringing them to live in our community and provide care for our residents. I want to thank the Ministry and United Counties for working with me to ensure we were selected."
- Steve Clark
MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
"The REDI pilot program is an important development for Sarnia-Lambton. By targeting immigration to address specific labour shortages, this initiative works in tandem with our government’s ongoing investments in local training programs. Together, these efforts will ensure our businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need while supporting the continued growth and prosperity of our community."
- Bob Bailey
MPP for Sarnia-Lambton
"We are excited to be selected for the REDI pilot, which will enable us to address critical labour shortages and support local economic growth and stability in Lambton County. We will align newcomer skilled talent with hard-to-fill, high demand job vacancies. This initiative will help local employers meet their demanding workforce needs and support pathways for newcomers to thrive in our community, fostering long-term economic benefit."
- Matthew Slotwinski
CEO Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
"We are truly honoured to have been chosen to administer the REDI pilot in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. This initiative brings significant value to Thunder Bay. By allocating nominations specifically for our community, we’re not only helping local employers address their workforce needs but also contributing to the overall economic strength of the region. This program plays a key role in attracting and retaining the skilled professionals who are essential for fostering growth and ensuring Thunder Bay’s long-term success."
- Jamie Taylor
CEO of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission
"Within the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development strategic areas of focus, talent attraction and workforce are key to supporting our local needs. The REDI program will play an important role in bringing newcomers to support in-demand jobs that are not being filled in our region. "
- Ann Weir
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
"In working with local employers, we see this as a great opportunity to help alleviate some of the stresses in our local labour market, we are very excited to be a part of the REDI pilot."
- Jasmin Ralph
Clerk County of Lanark
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