Ontario Proposes Changes to the OINP, After No Draws So Far in 2025

If passed into law, these updates would aim to make the program more responsive to the needs of Ontario’s labour market while strengthening oversight and streamlining the application process. But, it would have some fairly significant consequences for those who have already applied or who are relying on the existing streams as a potential pathway to permanent residence in Canada.  

What is the OINP? 

The OINP allows Ontario to nominate immigrants for permanent residence. It currently includes multiple streams targeting skilled workers, international graduates, and in-demand occupations, particularly in sectors like healthcare, construction, and technology.

In recent years, the OINP has grown in importance as the province faces labour shortages across a range of industries. It also grew due to increasing allocations for the Provincial Nominee Programs through the federal government, until those allocations were slashed in 2025.  

Why are these changes being proposed?  

2025 brought a sharp shift in direction. The federal government has capped the number of nominations provinces can issue. Ontario’s allocation for 2025 has been cut by about 50%, leaving far fewer nomination spaces for this year. 

This means Ontario is now dealing with intense demand, a large application backlog, and limited capacity to nominate candidates. The proposed OINP changes reflect this new reality and are designed to make the program more flexible, selective, and efficient. 

You can read the backgrounder to the proposed law change here. 

Proposed Changes Under the Working for Workers Seven Act in Ontario  

Here’s a closer look at what’s changing and why it matters. 

In-person interviews for applicants 

Under the proposed changes, OINP inspectors will gain new authority to require in-person interviews with applicants. This power is designed to strengthen the program’s integrity by verifying information submitted in applications and reducing the risk of fraud. 

While we need further information on what the interview process might entail, we’d predict that interviews may be used to confirm employment details, assess the legitimacy of job offers, or clarify information that raises red flags. For genuine applicants, this step is unlikely to be a hurdle. Instead, it’s a measure aimed at ensuring the fairness of the process and protecting the program from misuse. 

Flexibility to create or remove streams 

The changes would also give the Ontario government greater flexibility to adapt to shifting labour market needs. Specifically, the Lieutenant Governor in Council would have the authority to allow the Minister to create or eliminate specific OINP streams based on current priorities. 

This means Ontario could respond more quickly to labour shortages or economic changes—such as emerging industries, skills gaps, or regional needs—without requiring lengthy legislative changes.  

The power to return applications 

Another change would allow the province to return applications that no longer match Ontario’s job market needs or that raise concerns. This would enable the OINP to focus its processing resources on the application that most closely match Ontario’s economic and labour market needs. 

For example, if the labour market shifts and certain occupations are no longer in demand, applications tied to those roles could be returned without being fully processed. This is a significant shift—it gives the program more agility but may create uncertainty for applicants. This could also mean that those who have submitted applications in 2024 may still have those applications returned without being processed, or receiving a nomination.  

However, for candidates aligned with high-demand fields, it could mean faster processing and better chances of nomination. 

A new employer portal 

Starting in Summer 2025, employer applicants will be able to submit their applications directly and electronically through a new OINP employer portal. This shift to digital processing aims to reduce delays and paperwork, making the process more efficient for employers who are sponsoring candidates. 

The portal will centralize employer applications and improve communication between businesses and the program.  

What this means for applicants 

The proposed changes are a clear response to a challenging environment: rising interest in Ontario immigration, a backlog of qualified candidates, and far fewer nomination spaces to work with. In this context, Ontario’s government is taking steps to make the most of its limited applications — much like we’ve seen in other provinces across Canada.