ICYMI: Ontario unveils changes to provincial immigration nominee program

Of note:

Ontario has introduced changes to its popular provincial immigration program to meet evolving economic needs.

On Wednesday, the government tabled new legislation which, if passed, will give the provincial immigration minister the ability to establish or remove immigrant nomination streams to quickly respond to the changing job market and labour demand.

The proposed changes to the provincial immigration program would also:

•Allow officials to return applications that no longer match current job market needs or raise concerns;

•Grant inspectors the authority to require in-person interviews with applicants through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, to improve program integrity and prevent fraudulent claims;

•Further digitalize the application process by letting employers hoping to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residence submit applications directly and electronically to a new employer portal, starting this summer.

These are among 18 new proposed measures in the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 that the Conservative government hopes to adopt to meet changing economic needs and build a stronger workforce.

“We’re proposing changes that will prepare workers and businesses for the jobs of the future, while helping workers facing impacts from U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development, in a statement.

“This package underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our province’s most valuable resource — our workers.”…

Source: Ontario unveils changes to provincial immigration nominee program