Ontario has officially launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program, a strategic initiative aimed at boosting economic growth in the province’s rural northern regions. The program, which commenced on January 2, 2025, will run until December 31, 2025.
The REDI pilot program is designed to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four rural northern regions of Ontario. These regions, which have faced challenges such as population decline and labor shortages, stand to benefit significantly from the influx of skilled workers. By addressing critical workforce gaps, the initiative aims to support local businesses, enhance economic development, and foster long-term community growth.
The targeted regions include:
- – Lanark;
- – Leeds and Grenville;
- – Sarnia-Lambton; and
- – Thunder Bay.
Skilled immigrants approved through this program will receive a provincial nomination from the OINP, enabling them to apply for permanent residence (PR) directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How this REDI Pilot Program Works
The REDI program addresses labor shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, including construction. The REDI pilot will process applications through the Employer Job Offer streams of the OINP. Each participating region will have 200 additional nominations, issued through the 3 job-offer streams.
Eligibility Requirements
To be qualified for the REDI program, applicants must meet the criteria for one of the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams, which include:
1. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- – Job Offer: Full-time, permanent, TEER 0-3 occupation, with wages equal to or above Ontario’s median wage.
- – Candidate Requirements: At least 2 years of relevant work experience (or a valid license for regulated jobs).
2. Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- – Job Offer: TEER 0-3 occupation, paying wages equal to or above the low wage level for the role.
- – Candidate Requirements: Must have completed a post-secondary program in Ontario within the last 2 years.
3. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- – Job Offer: Eligible occupations with wages meeting or exceeding Ontario’s median wage.
- – Candidate Requirements: 9 months of relevant work experience, a high school diploma, and a minimum CLB 4 language proficiency.
Ontario projects that enable skilled newcomers to work in their fields could boost the province’s GDP by up to 100 billion CAD over 5 years. With PNPs increasingly critical to Canada’s immigration goals, REDI aims to strengthen smaller communities and support economic growth across the province.