Ontario has launched a new round of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative, which will run until the end of 2027. The REDI initiative will allocate OINP nomination spaces to selected communities, including Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury and the Rainy River District.
According to an update issued by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program on October 16, 2026, following program information provided on October 14, the new REDI initiative is designed to help regional communities attract and retain international talent while supporting local economic development.
The initiative operates within the OINP and provides a potential pathway to Canadian permanent residence for eligible foreign workers who intend to live and work in participating communities. More information about Provincial Nominee Program: Canada PNP Guide
Six Ontario Communities Selected for the 2026–2027 REDI Initiative
The Ontario government has identified six participating communities for the new round:
- Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury
- Kenora District
- Nipissing District
- Rainy River District
- Renfrew County
- Thunder Bay
The designated geographic boundaries are based on census divisions defined by Statistics Canada.
The communities were selected following an expression of interest process initiated by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in spring 2026.
According to the province, the selection process considered several factors, including local labour market challenges, economic diversification, employer participation, the availability of settlement services, and community capacity to support newcomer integration.
Particular attention was given to communities experiencing workforce shortages, including those affecting the healthcare sector.
The initiative also aims to distribute the economic benefits of immigration beyond the Greater Toronto Area by supporting employers in regions where attracting and retaining skilled workers can be challenging.
How the REDI Initiative Works
REDI is not a separate immigration program. Instead, it operates within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which allows the province to nominate eligible foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence.
Under the initiative, nomination spaces are allocated to selected communities to help address regional labour market needs.
Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements of the applicable OINP stream. Participation in a designated REDI community does not automatically qualify an individual for provincial nomination.
Importantly, there is no separate REDI application process.
Prospective applicants must follow the applicable OINP procedures and meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
Ontario has not specified a new nomination allocation for each of the six communities in its October announcement.
REDI and Ontario’s Immigration Program Changes in 2026
The new REDI round follows significant changes to Ontario’s provincial immigration program.
On June 26, 2026, Ontario announced a restructuring of the OINP intended to better align provincial immigration selection with labour market priorities.
The changes included replacing the program’s previous eight streams with a redesigned structure and introducing new eligibility requirements.
Consequently, applicants considering opportunities under REDI should review the current OINP framework rather than assume that eligibility rules from the previous REDI pilot continue to apply.
Under the redesigned program, the Ontario Workforce Priority stream provides an employer-supported pathway for eligible applicants with qualifying job offers, subject to occupational, employment, and other program requirements.
However, Ontario’s latest REDI announcement does not establish that every applicant eligible under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream will necessarily qualify for REDI-related selection.
Further details regarding targeted invitations and nomination allocations will depend on subsequent OINP announcements.
What Does REDI Mean for Foreign Workers and Employers?
The initiative may provide additional opportunities for skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residence through employment in Ontario’s participating regional communities.
For prospective applicants, an important consideration is whether their employment circumstances, qualifications, and intended place of residence satisfy the requirements of the relevant OINP pathway.
A job offer in a participating community alone does not guarantee an invitation to apply or provincial nomination.
For employers, REDI is intended to support recruitment and retention by connecting regional labour market needs with Ontario’s economic immigration selection process.
Employers and community stakeholders interested in the initiative can contact the OINP to obtain further information or arrange an employer consultation.
Previous REDI Pilot and the 2026–2027 Expansion
Ontario previously operated the REDI pilot in 2025, with four participating communities:
Lanark County, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay.
During that pilot, Ontario allocated 200 nomination spaces to each participating community under the OINP Employer Job Offer streams.
The new initiative expands participation to six communities and continues through December 2027.
However, the nomination allocations and selection arrangements for the new round should not be assumed to be identical to those used in 2025.
What Happens After an OINP Nomination?
Obtaining a provincial nomination is an important step toward Canadian permanent residence, but it does not automatically confer permanent resident status.
Applicants must subsequently satisfy the applicable federal immigration requirements, including admissibility requirements.
IRCC remains responsible for making the final decision on permanent residence applications.
Prospective applicants should also distinguish between eligibility for provincial nomination and authorization to work in Canada, as nomination does not, by itself, grant a work permit.
What Applicants Should Know
The launch of the 2026–2027 REDI initiative represents another measure through which Ontario is seeking to address regional workforce shortages and encourage immigration outside major metropolitan areas.
For foreign workers interested in participating communities, the key consideration remains eligibility under the current OINP requirements.
Applicants should monitor official program announcements for details regarding nomination allocations, targeted invitations, eligible occupations, and any additional implementation guidance.
The REDI initiative will operate until the end of 2027, but Ontario has not announced a separate application process or guaranteed nominations for individuals seeking employment in the participating communities.
Source: OINP Program Updates