Visas & Advice Detail
Ontario's provincial plus-points
Fancy basing yourself in bustling Toronto or enjoying a more relaxing lifestyle on the shores of Georgian Bay? Well the first step is to negotiate the paperwork.
With this in mind, Hanna Lindon spoke to the provincial government about the visa options for those looking to emigrate to Ontario.
What provincial nomination options (business, family and skilled) are available to people interested in emigrating to Ontario?
The Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) allows Ontario to select immigrants whose skills are required by Ontario employers and cannot be found in the province. This programme enables Ontario employers to recruit and retain internationally trained individuals, including international students.
When did Ontario first start offering provincial nomination options, and what was the reason behind doing so?
Ontario recognises that employers play a critical role in the province's economic success. That is why the government of Ontario established a pilot Provincial Nominee Programme in May 2007. It is an employer-driven programme that responds to Ontario labour market needs and government priorities. The purpose of the programme is to help employers fill specific positions that they may have difficulty filling locally. Employers need to apply to the programme and recruit an individual for an approved position. Successful nominees are fast-tracked for permanent resident status. The PNP is part of the landmark 2005 Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA).
How successful have you been in utlising provincial nomination visas and attracting the immigrants you need to the province?
Ontario's PNP nominated more people than any other provincial nominee programme did in its first year. In fact, we nominated twice as many. The PNP allows Ontario to nominate up to 500 individuals in the first year of the programme for permanent resident status. As of January 2009, the program nominated 424 individuals and their families. Ontario also welcomes about 111,000 immigrants a year that come through the federal immigration programme.
Do you foresee provincial nomination playing an increasingly important role in the Canadian immigration process over the coming months and years? If so, why?
Provincial nominee programmes are relatively new to the Canadian immigration system. Since their introduction, the Provincial Nominee Class has been steadily growing and is expected to play an increasingly important role in selecting Canada's immigrants in the future.
Is Ontario currently seeking to attract British immigrants to the province? What skills are most needed?
The PNP is generally focussed on occupations in the health, education, construction and manufacturing sectors and in retaining international students in all skilled occupations.
British citizens are sought-after by some Ontario companies as they are generally highly skilled individuals with comparable language, education and culture that allow for a successful transition and integration into Ontario.
Ontario has been interested in attracting immigrants from the UK and provincial representatives have attended promotion and recruitment events there. Ontario operates an international marketing centre in London to promote Ontario. Provincial representatives successfully met with thousands of prospective British immigrants in June and November of 2008 in London and Leeds. This was done through organised immigration shows that attracted more than 15,000 candidates.
Aside from economic and employment opportunities, what else can Ontario offer to British migrants?
Ontario is a big, diverse place. We have one million square kilometres and more than 12 million people. One in three Canadians calls Ontario home. Diverse cultural backgrounds make up this vibrant province, a magnet for industry, the arts and innovation. Our population includes people from 200 countries, who speak as many as 130 languages. Our cities are vibrant and our scenery is spectacular. Ontario has 445 towns and cities. Major destinations for newcomers are the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa – the capital of Canada – Hamilton, Windsor, London, and the region around Niagara Falls. From its varied landscape, to thousands of lakes, to fantastic tourism spots, Ontario is a study in contrasts with much to offer.
For more information visit: www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/PNP.asp
Back to Emigrate magazine home