News
Ontario Provincial Nominee Programme
The Ontario government has finally announced its plans for a Provincial Nominee Programme
In the June 2004 edition of Emigrate Canada, we ran a story which proclaimed that "Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Ontario government are hopeful that an immigration agreement for the province will be reached within the next 12 months," writes David Fuller.
Well, it may have take a little longer than expected, but in late May the Ontario government finally launched its inaugural pilot Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) – becoming the last province to sign up to such an agreement in the process. In spite of the fact that over half of all Canada's immigrants settle in Ontario each year, the province has still struggled to plug certain skilled shortage gaps in recent years. "With this new programme, for the first time, Ontario will be able to select immigrants whose skills match the needs of the province's labour market," said Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle upon announcing the programme's launch. "The pilot Provincial Nominee Programme is the latest step our government is taking to strengthen our economy through immigration."
The new programme will initially allow the province's government to nominate applicants in just 20 occupations (see table below), who will then be entitled to expedited visa processing – around six months to a year instead of over four years. "Ontario is proceeding with caution," notes immigration consultant Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot and Co. "The province has no shortage of immigrants so their PNP is very tailored. "Therefore, it will not have the same effect as the PNP does in other provinces that traditionally have not been primary destinations for new migrants." The Ontario PNP is employer driven, meaning that you will only be permitted to apply if your employer is pre-screened, the position is approved, and your employer provides you with a nominee application package from the pilot PNP.
There are two strands to the province's PNP: The Employer Category, which allows employers based in the province to nominate skilled workers and professionals from overseas who can help fill shortages in their business, and the Multinational Investor Category, which is for those who wish to establish or expand their businesses in Ontario and want to bring in key executives, managers or employees to work in their operation.
So what does Willis really think of the programme?
"The programme is what was expected, really," he answers. "It's very small (only 500 people will be nominated during the first year) and very limited. It's disappointing in that there is no allocation for low-skill occupations, such as, for example, HGV drivers."
However, Willis is hopeful that this may not stay the case for long. "Next year is when it will be interesting – once the programme has been up and running and numbers will be increased, hopefully occupations will be as well. "The programme is, however, proof that Ontario is constantly trying to improve itself for new migrants – in combination with a recent programme to recognise / train those with foreign credentials," continues Willis. "It's also further proof of Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle being pro-active," he adds.
Colle himself is certainly pleased to finally have the PNP up and running. "Our government is investing in Ontario's economic growth and supporting employers," he said. "The pilot Provincial Nominee Programme will help Ontario to better compete and win in the global competition for talent, investment and jobs." Only time will tell, however, just how successful this programme will be in enabling this to happen.
For further information:
Ontario PNP
Willis Brazolot
Occupations in demand
During the first year of Ontario's pilot PNP, jobs within just 20 specific occupations in four different industry sectors will be eligible for consideration for nomination. International students who have graduated from an eligible Ontario college or university are are also eligible to apply to the pilot PNP in the listed occupations if they relate to their field of study. The listed occupations are as follows:
Health sector
Specialist Physicians
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Pharmacists
Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Physiotherapists
Registered Nurses
Medical Laboratory Technologists
Medical Radiation Technologists
Education sector
University Professors
High-End Researchers
Manufacturing Sector
Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
Tool and Die Makers
Industrial Electricians
Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
Construction Sector
Carpenters
Bricklayers
Cement Finishers
Tilesetters
Drywall Installers and Finishers
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03 July 2007