Ontario has reopened one of its most closely watched regional immigration initiatives, and several Northern Ontario communities are now part of it. The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative returned on October 16, 2026 for six communities and will run to the end of 2027. For workers and employers across the North, this is important news, but it comes with details that are easy to misunderstand.

This blog explains what Ontario REDI is, which communities are included, how it works, and what it means for Northern Ontario. It is based on the Ontario government’s REDI and Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) pages.

Not sure if this applies to your situation? Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services today and get clarity from a licensed RCIC.
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation

What Is Ontario REDI

REDI is run by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development through the OINP. Its purpose is to attract and retain skilled workers in regional communities where local employers cannot fill workforce needs. The Ontario government names healthcare and the skilled trades among its priority sectors.

REDI is not a separate immigration program or a separate visa. It works by allocating nomination spaces to partner communities, and it provides a route to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers in those communities.

How REDI Has Grown

REDI began as a pilot in 2020 with 3 partner communities. In 2025, 4 new partners were added. Ontario states that nearly 1,000 workers have been nominated across 7 partner communities to date.

The Communities Included for 2026 and 2027

The Ontario government lists these partner communities:

• Greater Sudbury
• Kenora District
• Nipissing District
• Rainy River District
• Renfrew County
• Thunder Bay

Communities outside the Greater Toronto Area were invited to express interest in spring 2026. Selection considered geographic and cultural diversity, labour needs including healthcare, community capacity, settlement readiness, and stakeholder support.

What Has Changed Since the Last Round

The previous REDI round ran through the Employer Job Offer streams. On June 26, 2026, Ontario announced that several OINP streams had closed, including the three Employer Job Offer streams, the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, and three Express Entry streams. No further invitations will be issued under those former streams.

The most recent invitations under the earlier REDI pilot were issued on April 8, 2026, when 32 candidates with job offers in Lanark or Leeds and Grenville were invited. Those two communities are not in the new round.

The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is now the only stream the OINP lists as open. Its expression of interest portal opened on August 4, 2026.

How the Process Works

According to the OINP updates page, there is no separate application for REDI. Applicants must meet the standard OINP eligibility requirements. Nomination spaces are then set aside for the partner communities.

What Ontario Has Not Published

The official REDI page does not state the eligibility criteria, the streams that apply, or the number of nomination spaces for each community. As of November 3, 2026, the Ontario government has not provided further clarification on these points on its REDI page. We recommend booking a consultation for the most current guidance.

Two Steps to Permanent Residence

An OINP nomination is only the first step. After a provincial nomination, a candidate still has to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence, and IRCC makes the final decision.

Support for Employers

Ontario states that participating communities receive OINP support, including employer information sessions, and that employers receive business service support. Employers in partner communities should contact the OINP to learn what is available.

What This Means for Northern Ontario

If you live and work in Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Nipissing District, Kenora District, or Rainy River District, REDI may improve your chances of a provincial nomination. Workers in healthcare and the skilled trades are the clearest fit, because those sectors are named as priorities.

Is Sault Ste. Marie Included

No. Sault Ste. Marie is not on the official list of REDI partner communities for 2026 and 2027. That means workers and employers in Sault Ste. Marie cannot rely on REDI nomination spaces.

Sault Ste. Marie is a designated Rural Community Immigration Pilot community, which is a separate federal pathway. The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is also open to eligible candidates in Ontario. Which option fits best depends on your job, your employer, and your experience.

Other Pilots in the Region

REDI is separate from the Rural Community Immigration Pilot. Depending on your situation, that pilot may be worth comparing, but it uses different rules and a different process. Do not assume that eligibility for one means eligibility for the other.

How to Prepare Right Now

Because Ontario has not published the details of each community’s allocation, the best approach is to get your file ready so you can act quickly when you decide on a pathway.

For Workers

• Consult the official list of partner communities to see if you qualify
• Gather your job offer letter, pay records, and employment history
• Check that your job title, duties, and NOC code match what your employer states
• Review your work permit expiry date, since timing affects your options
• Determine whether your occupation falls in healthcare or the skilled trades, the sectors Ontario names as priorities

For Employers

• Contact the OINP at immigration.ontario@ontario.ca or consult an immigration consultant
• Review your hiring needs and the positions you may want to support
• Make sure job offer letters are accurate, genuine, and consistent with the actual role
• Keep employment records organized and up to date

Rules and open streams can change quickly, so it is worth reviewing your plan with a licensed RCIC before you commit to a pathway.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking REDI is a separate application. Ontario states there is no separate application. You apply through an OINP stream that is open to you.

Assuming Sault Ste. Marie is included. It is not on the official list of partner communities.

Using the old stream names. Many OINP streams closed in 2026. Make sure any information you rely on refers to a stream that is still open.

Assuming a nomination guarantees permanent residence. A provincial nomination is followed by a federal application, and IRCC makes the final decision.

Counting on nomination numbers that have not been published. Ontario has not published the nomination spaces for each community. Plan around what is confirmed, not what you have heard.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Canada’s immigration rules change frequently and deadlines can be unforgiving. Whether you are just starting to explore your options or ready to submit your application, iCA Immigration and Talent Services is here to guide you every step of the way.

Jennifer Johnson is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R709916) based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, serving clients across Northern Ontario and beyond.

Book your consultation today:
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Ontario REDI and which communities are included in 2026?
A: REDI, or Regional Economic Development through Immigration, allocates OINP nomination spaces to partner communities. The 2026 to 2027 communities are Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County, and Thunder Bay. The round launched on October 16, 2026 and runs to the end of 2027. iCA Immigration and Talent Services can help you understand how it applies to you.

Q: Is there a separate application for REDI?
A: No. According to the OINP updates page, there is no separate application. Applicants must meet the standard OINP eligibility requirements for an open stream, and nomination spaces are then allocated to partner communities. The Ontario Workforce Priority stream is currently the only open stream listed. Speak with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to find out which option fits your situation.

Q: Is Sault Ste. Marie part of the Ontario REDI initiative?
A: No. Sault Ste. Marie is not on the Ontario government’s list of REDI partner communities for 2026 and 2027. Other pathways, such as the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, may be worth comparing. Each has its own rules. Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to review which pathway may suit you.

Q: Which OINP streams are open in 2026?
A: The OINP updates page lists the Ontario Workforce Priority stream as the open stream, with its expression of interest portal opening on August 4, 2026. Ontario announced on June 26, 2026 that several earlier streams, including the Employer Job Offer streams, had closed. Check the OINP website for changes. iCA Immigration and Talent Services can help you stay current.

Q: Does an Ontario nomination guarantee permanent residence?
A: No. A provincial nomination is the first step. You must then apply to IRCC for permanent residence, and IRCC makes the final decision. Processing times and requirements can change. A licensed RCIC at iCA Immigration and Talent Services can explain the full process and what to prepare.

References

All information in this blog has been verified against official Canadian government sources as of November 3, 2026.

1. Ontario, Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative — https://www.ontario.ca/page/regional-economic-development-through-immigration-redi-initiative
2. Ontario, 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Updates — https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates

Note: Immigration policies change frequently. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend verifying current requirements at canada.ca, ontario.ca, or booking a consultation with a licensed RCIC before making any immigration decisions.