Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development

Dear Minister Piccini:

Labour shortages are being felt across the province, but particularly in Northern and Rural areas where population growth is limited. Northern Ontario specifically is experiencing a demographic shift and a population decline that is fueled by natural aging, low fertility rates, a rising life expectancy and an increase of out-migration. Population and migration trends to 2021, suggest that Northern Ontario needs 100,000 newcomers by 2041 to sustain current population levels.

Newcomers represent potential growth and innovation for Northern and Rural communities, however, the vast majority of newcomers to Ontario settle in the Greater Toronto Area. The federal Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP) has proven highly successful in attracting over 4,000 immigrants to Northern Ontario to date. The federal government is moving to make it a permanent program and an integral part of Canada’s overall immigration strategy. Ontario should learn from and mirror this success through the allocation of Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) spots for Northern Ontario communities.

We are requesting that the Ontario Government set aside 3,000 nominations annually for immigrants coming to Northern Ontario to fill labour shortages. OINP has 21,500 total spots to allocate in 2024, up from 9,000 spots just a few years ago. That means there is plenty of room to make a set-aside for Northern Ontario work without detracting from the GTA and other Ontario communities. The allocation of these 3,000 spots would be spread among communities, ensuring that the benefits of immigration are extended beyond the largest cities in Northern Ontario.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this request. Thank you for your consideration.

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