Ontario is investing an additional $25 million over the next three years, on top of the $15 million over three years announced in Budget 2022, to double the inflow of skilled immigrants from Ontario. The investment will work to address labor shortages and promote economic growth in the province.
Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration
Ontario is Canada’s most popular landing destination, with the province welcoming a third of all new arrivals to the country each year. The province and the federal government announced a doubling of the number of economic immigrants the province will select to reach an all-time high of 18,000 by 2025.
“Our government stands ready to welcome the most qualified newcomers to Ontario, to help build the roads, transit, schools, homes and hospitals our growing population needs. As we continue to address historic labor shortages, we’re doing everything we can to make sure we have the workforce to help build Ontario. It’s all hands on deck,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
According to Ontario’s website, the new investment in the 2023 Budget will speed up processing and ensure that newcomers to Ontario can start working in their professions quickly. The funding will improve security and other IT upgrades to ensure the system can handle increased demand now and in the future.
What is the Ontario Immigrant Candidate Program?
He Ontario Immigrant Candidate Program (OINP) is from Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP is the main way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker.
Through OINP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province can receive an Ontario Provincial Nomination Form, after which they can apply for permanent residence in Canada with Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).
Ontario PNP streams are base streams and others are enhanced streams. Enhanced flows are those that are aligned with the Express Entry system, which is the system the federal government uses to manage applications for permanent residence through Canada’s three main economy-class immigration programs.
Express Entry gives candidates a score based on points in the Comprehensive rating system (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates are then invited to apply for permanent residence. Those with nomination from an enhanced provincial program get an additional 600 points, effectively ensuring a Invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Base flows are flows that are not aligned with Express Entry systems. Candidates who win a provincial nomination must apply directly to IRCC.
Ontario Government Budget 2023, Building a Strong Ontario
Ontario Budget for 2023, called Building a strong Ontarioit is a “responsible and targeted approach to helping people and businesses today, while laying a strong tax foundation for future generations.”
In addition to the $25 million investment in the OINP, the Budget has other key measures that would affect Ontario immigrants. The government is committed to investing in skills training, transforming the apprenticeship and skilled trades system, and helping newcomers put their skills into practice.
In particular, Ontario is investing $75 million in the Skills Development Fund over the next three years to help workers and job seekers gain the skills they need to seize new opportunities and advance their careers. The government is also investing $224 million in 2023 and 2024 in a new stream of capital from the Skills Development Fund to expand access to training centers to train more workers for careers in skill trades and other in-demand jobs.
In addition, the Budget also discusses the housing crisis and issues related to housing affordability. The government plans to take steps to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. The Faster Home Construction Act, 2022 will implement changes to help build more homes and make life more affordable for Ontario families. The impact of these changes is estimated to reduce the cost of building a single-family home by $116,900 in the Greater Toronto Area.
reference: www.cicnews.com