Ontario Expanding Pathways for Newcomers Working in Health Care

Beamsville – The Ontario government is making changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to expand the health care workforce, increase the occupations eligible for the In-Demand Skills stream and protect newcomers from immigration fraud.

These changes help address ongoing labour shortages in key sectors such as health care, while also better protecting newcomers to the province.

“Our government is making it easier for skilled newcomers to help fill critical gaps and expand our health care workforce in Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“These changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program will help support internationally educated caregivers on their path to professional practice in Ontario, as well as supporting increased access to doctors, nurses, and other qualified health care professionals in Niagara.”

“Newcomers play a crucial role in growing our economy and building a stronger and more inclusive Ontario for all of us,” said Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“By expanding the current pathways of this program, we are attracting more top-tier talent to Ontario and removing the barriers they face, while addressing the human resources challenges in health care.”

The province’s economic immigration program will now exempt nurses who are registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario in designated classes from being required to provide a Bachelor’s degree to qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams.

This change will create additional pathways for internationally educated nurses, to receive a nomination through the program, enabling Ontario to better expand the health care workforce to meet the needs of Ontarians.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is growing our health care workforce to make it easier for people to connect to the care they need for years to come,” said Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“Our bold and innovative changes will continue to break down barriers for internationally trained nurses and make it faster and easier to start providing care to people and families in Ontario.”

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is also increasing the number of occupations eligible for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream from twenty-two to fifty-six, which is in response to the feedback received from previously held consultations on program eligibility. This will allow more skilled workers to qualify for the program.

Ontario is increasing the Administrative Monetary Penalties that will be issued when fraud is found from employers, representatives, recruiters, or those who acquire a financial benefit from fraud. The minimum penalty will rise from $2,000 to $10,000. This will help prevent misuse of the program and protect newcomers from immigration fraud.

To further attract the skilled workers Ontario needs the most and ensure they can start working in their professions sooner, the province is the first in Canada to remove discriminatory barriers that prevent foreign-trained professionals from continuing their careers in fields they trained in, such as engineering, architecture, and skilled trades.