Ontario’s Regional Economic Development Through Immigration (REDI) Initiative

By focusing on specific communities, this program offers a unique pathway to permanent residence for qualified candidates with valid job offers in those regions. 

Key Takeaways 

• Ontario’s smaller communities have been facing ongoing labour shortages (despite high levels of unemployment in Toronto). 
• Ontario program started as a Pilot in 2025 to attract newcomers to regional communities.  
• More than 1,000 workers across 7 partner communities have been nominated 
• The REDI initiative has no extra eligibility rules beyond those already in place for the OINP Employer Job Offer streams
• You apply through the regular OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system, indicating your interest in the relevant Employer Job Offer stream and specifying your job offer location. 

The Regional Economic Development Through Immigration (REDI) Initiative Goal: Expanding Access to Skilled Talent 

Ontario faces ongoing labour shortages, particularly in smaller communities that struggle to attract the skilled workers they need. Through the Ontario REDI Program, provincial authorities seek to match qualified foreign professionals with local employers facing a labour shortage or who are unable to fill jobs.  

The Ontario REDI initiative began on January 2, 2025, and ran until December 31, 2025. The program was expanded in 2025 and is now returning, offering participants a 12-month period to apply for nomination through one of the OINP Employer Job Offer streams.

One of the central goals is to spread the economic benefits of immigration beyond Ontario’s major urban areas (particularly Toronto), which have traditionally attracted the highest numbers of newcomers.  

By encouraging foreign workers to settle in smaller centers, the province hopes to strengthen local economies and create a more equitable distribution of skilled talent. 

How the Ontario REDI Initiative Relates to the OINP 

The OINP is the primary vehicle by which Ontario nominates foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence. It supports various streams, including those for job offers, international students, and in-demand skills.  

The REDI Pilot fits within the OINP’s existing Employer Job Offer streams, which means there is no separate application process specific to the pilot. Instead, if you are eligible under an Employer Job Offer stream and have a job located in one of the pilot communities, you will be automatically considered. 

Partnering Communities for 2026-2027

• Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury (geographic boundaries)
• Kenora District (geographic boundaries)
• Nipissing District (geographic boundaries)
• Rainy River District (geographic boundaries)
• Renfrew County (geographic boundaries)
• Thunder Bay (geographic boundaries)

Geographic boundaries: Census Division as defined by Statistics Canada.

Why These Communities Were Selected for the REDI 2026-2027 Initiative

In the spring of 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development invited communities from across Ontario, excluding the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), to express their interest in participating in a new initiative.

The selected partnering communities were chosen based on their specific needs for economic immigration, demonstrated by the following criteria:

• Representation of the geographic and cultural diversity of Ontario
• Identification of specific labour challenges, including those in healthcare
• Community capacity and willingness to support the REDI initiative
• Ability and readiness to assist newcomers in settling down
• Interest and support from community stakeholders, including employers and municipalities

To contact any of the communities you are interested in, you can visit the Ontario REDI official page.

Eligibility Requirements 

To participate in the REDI initiative, you must first meet the eligibility criteria for one of the OINP Employer Job Offer streams. These streams include:  

• Foreign Worker Stream 

• International Student Stream 

• In-Demand Skills Stream 

These streams typically require that you have a permanent, full-time job offer in a skilled occupation, among other qualifications such as relevant work experience or education. As long as your job offer is located in Lanark County, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, or Thunder Bay, you will be considered if you meet the OINP’s general requirements. 

No Separate Criteria for REDI 

The REDI Program has no extra eligibility rules beyond those already in place for the OINP Employer Job Offer streams. If your application meets the standard criteria for your chosen stream and your job offer is within one of the selected communities, you qualify to be considered for the program. This integrated design keeps the application process straightforward and avoids the need to submit two sets of paperwork. 

Application Process for the REDI Initiative

You apply through the regular OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system, indicating your interest in the relevant Employer Job Offer stream and specifying your job offer’s location. The EOI system ranks candidates based on various factors, such as education, work experience, language skills, and the job’s wage or skill level.  

The cut off score needed to receive an invitation in a REDI targeted draw is unknown at this time. As a result, applicants should aim to maximize their EOI score to improve their chances of being selected. 

If you receive an invitation to apply and submit a complete application that meets all requirements, you can receive a provincial nomination, which leads to the permanent residence application stage with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Targeted Pilot Draws 

Because REDI is a pilot within the broader OINP, the province may conduct targeted draws specifically for candidates tied to these four communities. This means that if you have a valid job offer in one of the pilot regions, your EOI profile may be chosen before applicants who do not. These targeted draws help ensure that the 200 nomination spaces per community go to candidates who can fill pressing labor shortages in each region, speeding up the hiring process for local employers. 

Benefits to Employers and Communities 

Employers located in the selected areas gain a competitive advantage by attracting skilled foreign workers who are motivated to settle in regional communities. They also receive direct support from the OINP, which offers information sessions and guidance on how best to leverage the program. By filling vital roles that local talent cannot supply, employers help strengthen the regional economy, maintain essential services, and support continued growth and innovation across various sectors. 

Settlement and Integration 

Newcomers often face challenges when settling in smaller communities, so the REDI initiative involves collaboration with local stakeholders to support a smooth transition. These stakeholders include municipal governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and settlement agencies that can assist with housing, language services, and community integration. By offering this network of support, the program not only addresses labour shortages but also helps newcomers build meaningful lives in smaller centers, fostering a sense of belonging.