Immigration through employers in 4 regions of Ontario – find a job and

Canada attracts immigrants, but when it comes to choosing a place to live, the vast majority aim for Toronto. As a result – high competition, expensive rent, and an oversaturated job market. But what if there was an easier way to move to Ontario?

In 2025, the province launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program, which will run for just one year – from January 2 to December 31. The program provides 200 nominations for immigrants willing to work in four designated regions:

· Lanark County

· Leeds and Grenville

· Sarnia-Lambton

· Thunder Bay

If you find an employer in one of these communities, you can qualify for a provincial nomination.

Every year, Ontario receives over 25,000 immigration spots, but the number of applicants is much higher. Most candidates dream of staying in Greater Toronto, making the competition incredibly tough.

REDI offers a real opportunity to obtain a nomination more easily because:

· There are far fewer applicants in these regions

· Employers need workers and are willing to hire

· Your chances of nomination are significantly higher than in Toronto

However, there is one crucial condition: without a qualified employer, you won't be nominated.

What are the requirements for employers?

A job offer alone is not enough. The company must meet strict criteria; otherwise, your application will be rejected.

The employer must:

· Have been in business for at least 3 years

· Offer a salary no lower than the regional median wage

· Have at least 3 full-time employees

· Declare an annual revenue of at least 500,000 CAD

Simply put, if a small business offers you a job in a tiny office with two employees and vague financial stability, it is unlikely to be a viable option.

The Ontario government wants immigrants to work for stable companies, ensuring they won’t be left unemployed within six months.

Is it worth trying?

If your goal is to obtain permanent residency (PR) in Canada, the REDI program is a real opportunity. While 200 spots may seem like a small number, compared to the overwhelming competition in Toronto, your chances here are much higher.

This program is ideal for those who:

· Are willing to live outside major cities

· Can secure a job with an eligible employer

· Are open to life in smaller communities and ready to build a career there

If being in the center of a big city is essential for you, and the idea of living in a smaller town is unappealing, then you may want to explore other immigration options.

However, if your main goal is to settle in Canada, ignoring this program would be a mistake.

What are these regions?

When most people think of Ontario, they usually picture Toronto, Ottawa, and perhaps Niagara Falls. However, the province is vast, and not all areas are overcrowded with immigrants.

Lanark County – a quiet countryside with maple syrup.

Located about an hour’s drive from Ottawa, Lanark County is known for its picturesque farms, traditional maple syrup production, and small towns where people know each other by name.

The region's economy is based on agriculture, wood processing, and small-scale manufacturing.

https://directory.lanarkcounty.ca/?Page=1&PageSize=15&SearchTab=&FromForm=True&Name=&Keywords=&Address=&CategoriesOpen=False#resultsArea

Leeds and Grenville – shipbuilding and historic towns.

Located approximately 300 km from Toronto, this is a historic part of Ontario, known for its lock and canal system, shipbuilding industry, and light manufacturing.

Job opportunities are available in engineering, construction, and manufacturing.

https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/business-profile/major-employers.aspx

Sarnia-Lambton – Ontario’s petrochemical hub with a population of just 75,000.

Situated on the U.S. border, just a few hours from Toronto, Sarnia-Lambton is one of Canada’s largest petrochemical industry hubs.

This region is home to major refineries, gas processing plants, and chemical manufacturing facilities.

Major private employers include:

· Arlanxeo (564 employees)

· Imperial Oil (870 employees)

· Shell (400 employees)

· NOVA Chemicals (943 employees)

· SNC-Lavalin (280 employees)

· Steeves & Rozema Group (763 employees)

· Waterville (600 employees)

· Worley (340 employees)

· Air Products, CF Industries, Cabot, Exxon-Mobil, Plains Midstream, Praxair, Royal Dutch Shell, INEOS Styrolution, and Suncor (350 employees)

· ReVital Polymer (200 employees)

· LCY Bioscience (60 employees)

Thunder Bay – the gateway to northern Ontario.

Located 1,400 km from Toronto in Northern Ontario, Thunder Bay is a major logistics hub and a center for transportation, forestry, and mining industries.

For those not afraid of snowy winters and long distances, this region offers well-paying job opportunities.

Largest employers in Thunder Bay include:

· Bombardier

· Resolute Forest Products

https://www.scribd.com/document/30281922/Major-Employers-in-Thunder-Bay-Ontario

https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-information.manufacturing.ca.ontario.thunder_bay.html?page=4

These regions offer a real chance for skilled workers to secure employment and obtain PR through Ontario’s Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) program. If you are open to opportunities outside major cities, these locations could be your path to Canadian permanent residency.

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