The Ontario government has announced significant changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) aimed at addressing labour shortages in the health care sector and protecting newcomers from immigration fraud.
These amendments are intended to attract more qualified health care professionals and expand the list of occupations eligible for the program, it said.
“Newcomers play a crucial role in growing our economy and building a stronger and more inclusive Ontario for all of us,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. He emphasized that the changes would help attract top-tier talent and address human resources challenges in health care.
Bachelor’s degree exemption
One of the key changes is the exemption of nurses registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario from the requirement to provide a bachelor’s degree to qualify for the OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams.
This amendment is designed to create additional pathways for internationally educated nurses to receive nominations through the program, thereby expanding the health care workforce in Ontario, the province said.
Number of eligible occupations increasing
In response to feedback from consultations, the OINP is also increasing the number of occupations eligible for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream from 22 to 56. This expansion aims to allow more skilled workers to qualify for the program.
Penalties increasing
To further protect newcomers, Ontario is raising the Administrative Monetary Penalties for fraud. The minimum penalty will increase from $2,000 to $10,000, targeting employers, representatives, recruiters, and others who benefit financially from fraud.
Additionally, Ontario is the first province in Canada to remove discriminatory barriers preventing foreign-trained professionals from continuing their careers in fields they were trained in, such as engineering, architecture, and skilled trades.
Underlining the importance of these changes, Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, noted, “Our bold and innovative changes will continue to break down barriers for internationally trained nurses and make it faster and easier to start providing care to people and families in Ontario.”
Cathy Hecimovich, CEO of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, added, “We need more workers to care for our seniors in the coming decades, and this change will help attract internationally educated nurses to work in Ontario retirement communities.”
Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, highlighted the urgent need for registered nurses in long-term care homes. “The regulatory amendments, combined with the College of Nurses’ efforts to modernize and streamline registration, offer IENs a faster path to permanent residency and citizenship,” she said.
Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), praised the government for aligning the recruitment of international construction labourers and skilled trades with Ontario’s labour market needs.
The College of Nurses of Ontario also expressed support, with Silvie Crawford, Registrar/Executive Director & CEO, affirming the College’s commitment to ensuring fair and effective processes for all applicants.