Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Ontario Launches REDI Pilot Program to Attract Skilled Immigrants to Rural Areas
Ontario, Canada – October 2023 – The Ontario government has unveiled the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program, designed to attract highly-skilled immigrants to rural and northern regions facing skilled labor shortages. The initiative targets Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay, aiming to bolster economic growth in these communities.
The REDI program will enable local employers in participating regions to recruit up to 800 additional workers for in-demand sectors such as health care, technology, and skilled trades, including construction. This initiative is part of Ontario's broader strategy to promote economic prosperity in rural and northern areas.
Administered through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), the REDI program provides each participating region with 200 additional nominations via OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. The initiative aims to address labor needs that cannot currently be met by the local workforce.
Internationally trained workers with job offers in the pilot regions are encouraged to apply for permanent residence. Additional information about the program and application processes is available on the OINP website.
The Ontario government is heavily investing in workforce training, with up to $1.4 billion allocated through the Skills Development Fund, including over $250 million specifically for rural and northern workers. The aim is to prepare over one million workers for in-demand careers, contributing to the province's long-term prosperity.
The REDI pilot, slated to run from January 2, 2025, to December 31, 2025, builds on the success of the 2020 Regional pilot, which encompassed regions like Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West. According to government projections, enabling trained newcomers to work in their professions could enhance Ontario’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years.
In addition to the REDI program, Ontario is investing $100 million in settlement and employment services for newcomers, including language training and job-preparedness programs. Recent legislative changes, including the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, have expanded pathways for self-employed physicians and established new standards for immigration consultants.
The REDI initiative is anticipated to significantly impact rural Ontario by creating more job opportunities and supporting local economies with a skilled workforce essential for economic prosperity. This effort is part of the Ontario government's ongoing mission to make the province an attractive destination for living, working, and raising a family.
