Important Changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) 

Ontario has announced a significant redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) that expands pathways to permanent residence for workers in many restaurant occupations, particularly in rural communities where labour shortages remain especially acute.

The redesign replaces the program’s existing eight streams with a new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, providing pathways to permanent residence for workers across all TEER categories, including TEER 4 and 5 occupations that are common in the restaurant industry. It also lowers employer revenue thresholds for businesses located in rural communities, making the program more accessible to employers outside larger urban centres.

Several elements of the redesigned program align with recommendations Restaurants Canada has consistently advanced to the Ontario government, including expanded pathways for TEER 4 and 5 occupations and greater flexibility for rural employers. We are encouraged to see these priorities reflected in the redesigned program, which has the potential to help employers retain experienced workers and strengthen the industry’s long-term workforce.

The redesign also introduces new language and education requirements for applicants, along with additional program integrity and compliance measures. We are reviewing the detailed eligibility requirements and implementation timelines to better understand how these changes will affect restaurant employers in practice.

Expressions of Interest submitted under the previous OINP streams that have not resulted in an invitation to apply will be withdrawn as the program transitions to the new model. Once the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream opens later this summer, eligible candidates will need to submit a new Expression of Interest, and employers will need to submit a new job offer through the Employer Portal.

Today’s announcement is a positive step, but additional action will be needed to address the restaurant industry’s ongoing workforce challenges. It comes shortly after the Ontario government declined the federal government’s offer to temporarily increase the Temporary Foreign Worker cap from 10% to 15% for employers in eligible rural and remote communities—a measure Restaurants Canada supported to help address immediate labour shortages.

Restaurants Canada will continue working with the Ontario government to advance practical workforce solutions for the restaurant industry, including improvements to both permanent and temporary immigration pathways. As the new program is implemented, we will keep members informed of further developments and any implications for restaurant employers.

The Ontario government’s announcement can be found here.