Ontario to Double the Number of Economic Immigrants Welcomed to the Province

Toronto, Ontario – Ontario is set to increase the number of economic immigrants it welcomes to the province in a bid to boost the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. As part of an agreement with the federal government, the province will double its quota from 9,000 to over 18,000 spots under the program by 2025.

Ontario Labour and Immigration Minister Monte McNaughton, who had called for the doubling in 2021, said the increase will enable the province to “control our economic destiny” by selecting more skilled immigrants who are well-suited to succeed and build stronger communities for everyone.

The new agreement will see Ontario welcome 16,500 immigrants under the program in 2023, over 17,000 in 2024, and more than 18,000 in 2025. In 2022, the province will host 9,750 immigrants under the program.

The Ford government reports that the 2021 allocation included 3,900 skilled trades workers, 2,200 software and IT workers, 1,000 truck drivers, and over 100 nurses and personal support workers. McNaughton predicts that the number of healthcare workers in particular will change drastically with the new quota.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is designed to help employers in Ontario find skilled workers who will help drive the province’s economy forward. The program works by nominating individuals for permanent resident status based on their skills and work experience.

Increasing the quota for the program will not only help Ontario address its skills gap but also help it become more competitive in attracting and retaining top talent from around the world. By doing so, it can continue to drive economic growth and make the province a more attractive place to live, work, and invest in.