Ontario plans new PR pathways for skilled newcomers, i.e., foreign nationals hoping to become Canadian permanent residents through an Ontario nomination may soon get new ways to apply.
Ontario’s Immigration Minister, David Piccini, announced that the province is preparing to create a new talent stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This stream will focus on people who show “excellence” in fields such as research, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.
Piccini shared this on November 25 during the third reading of Bill 30, saying he was excited to launch “new immigration streams soon.” The bill was granted royal assent on November 27.
As of now, Ontario has not released more details about the new immigration pathways.
Why Can Ontario Now Add New Immigration Streams?
Recent updates within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the wider provincial immigration system show why Ontario is in a good position to introduce new pathways.
End Of The OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Ontario recently closed the OINP Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream, which helps explain why new streams may be coming.
On November 14, 2025, Ontario stopped accepting applications to this stream. The province also began returning all pending applications. A program review had found major compliance issues and signs of misrepresentation or fraud involving the eligibility requirements.
Because of these problems, the program director decided to suspend the stream and return all applications with full refunds.
Moreover, closing this stream opens up some of Ontario’s nomination quota and increases pressure to design new, safer, and better-targeted pathways, especially for trades and related workers.
In addition, Bill 30 now gives the minister more power to quickly create, update, or close OINP streams and to respond faster when there are concerns about program integrity or labour market needs.
Ontario has also paused draws in three other OINP streams this year:
- Master’s Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
This suggests that the province may be planning to redistribute nomination spots to focus on more urgent economic priorities.
More Nomination Spots Expected For Ontario In 2026
In 2025, Ontario’s nomination allocation dropped sharply to 10,750, which was 50% lower than the 2024 allocation of 21,500. This was because the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan had reduced the national PNP target from 110,000 to 55,000.
All provinces, including Ontario, had to operate under that much smaller national limit.
But things have now changed. The federal government increased the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) target to 91,500 admissions in the latest Immigration Levels Plan – a 66% jump from 2025.
Ontario’s exact allocation for 2026 is not yet published, but with a much larger national target, the province will likely receive more nomination spaces. This gives Ontario more flexibility to launch new streams, adjust existing ones, and match workers to jobs in the province.
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