March 31, 2025

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

Dear Minister Piccini:

Congratulations on your re-election and reappointment as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development. In these challenging times, we know that we can count on your government to deliver the strong and decisive action that is needed to protect and grow Ontario’s economy. 

Northern Ontario’s wealth of critical minerals and natural resources has the potential to drive economic growth across the entire province and is essential to unlocking a prosperous future for Ontario. However, this growth hinges on having skilled workers to support the construction and operation of new mines and industries, as well as the vital community services that are crucial to our success.

Since your government first took office in 2018, the number of provincial nominees settling in Northern Ontario has increased five-fold, from 40 to 200 annually. This remarkable growth is a direct result of changes made by your government, including:

• Adjusting the scoring system for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to encourage settlement in rural and northern communities.
• Expanding the OINP marketing team to promote the program more aggressively in these areas.
• Launching the Regional Economic Development through Immigration initiative in Thunder Bay.

In the face of threats and increased uncertainty from south of the border, we urge you to accelerate these efforts to strengthen rural and northern communities by immediately setting aside 3,000 spots annually for Northern Ontario within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This request is supported by municipalities, local Chambers of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and community organizations in every region of Northern Ontario. To ensure this change becomes a priority of your government, we ask that you recommend to the Premier that this commitment be included in the upcoming Throne Speech.

We wish to emphasize that this proposed set aside builds from your own efforts to align immigration with known labour market needs. It also aligns well with your stated goal to spread the benefits of immigration to other areas of the province. In the face of the housing crunch in Toronto and other major urban centres, we need to move quickly to shift immigrants into areas where the capacity to house and employ them actually exists.

The case for setting aside a portion of the provincial nominee program to address the urgent need in Northern and rural Ontario was made in 2018 by the Conference Board of Canada in their study Immigration Outside the GTA. Northern Policy Institute (NPI) reached the same conclusions in their Northern Attraction Series. In fact, the Northern Attraction Series went further and concluded (based on experience in rural communities across Canada) that Northern Ontario could easily absorb more than twice the level of immigration we are proposing.

We can welcome these newcomers without creating a housing crisis or exceeding the capacity of communities to expand services. We also think it is important to note that allocating some of the existing OINP program to northern and rural communities represents no new expense to the province. Your government has already allocated the funds and put the staff in place. We are only asking that they be used more effectively in easing pressures in one part of the province while responding to needs in another.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss our labour shortages and the opportunities to welcome new immigrants to Northern Ontario.

Sincerely,

Association des Francophones du Nord‑Ouest de l’Ontario

Canadore College

City of Dryden

City of Kenora

City of North Bay

City of Temiskaming Shores

City of Thunder Bay

City of Timmins

Collège Boréal

Confederation College

Destination Northern Ontario

Dryden District Chamber of Commerce

Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce

Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

Impala Canada

Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce

Lakehead University

Municipality of East Ferris

Municipality of Greenstone

Municipality of Mattawan

Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge

Municipality of Red Lake

Municipality of Shuniah

Municipality of Sioux Lookout

Municipality of Wawa

Municipality of West Nipissing

Nipissing University

North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce

North Superior Workforce Planning Board

Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance

Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association

Northwest Training & Adjustment Board

Ontario Forest Industries Association

Sault Ste Marie Chamber of Commerce

Sault College

Seguin Township

Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce

Thunder Bay District Municipal League

Thunder Bay Multicultural Association

Thunder Bay Port Authority

Thunder Bay Real Estate Board

Timmins Chamber of Commerce

Town of Blind River

Town of Fort Frances

Town of Hearst

Town of Rainy River

Town of Spanish

Township of Alberton

Township of Armour

Township of Conmee

Township of Dawson

Township of Dubreuville (EDO)

Township of Hornepayne

Township of Killarney

Township of Lake of the Woods

Township of Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen

Township of Nipigon

Township of O’Connor

Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls

Township of St. Joseph

Township of Terrace Bay

Township of White River

Universite de Hearst