Ontario is removing barriers to make it easier for qualified immigrants to enter the health care workforce.
The provincial government announced on July 4 that changes are being made to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to expand the health care workforce and increase the occupations eligible for the In-Demand skills stream, according to a government news release.
"These changes help address ongoing labour shortages in key sectors such as health care while also better protecting newcomers to the province," per the release.
“Newcomers play a crucial role in growing our economy and building a stronger and more inclusive Ontario for all of us,” said David Piccini, Ontario's 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," he added.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones was pleased with the announcement.
"We need more workers to care for our seniors in the coming decades, and this change will help attract internationally educated nurses to work in Ontario retirement communities," said Jones.
One of the significant changes is that Ontario 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 OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams, said the release.
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, said the release.
The OINP is also increasing the number of occupations eligible for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream from 22 to 56 occupations, which is in response to the feedback received from previously held consultations on program eligibility, said the release. This will allow more skilled workers to qualify for the program.
Concerns over incidents of fraud that take advantage of immigrants are also being addressed, said the release. Ontario is increasing the Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) 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, said the release.
