Ontario relaunches REDI in six communities through 2027: what it means for skilled workers

Ontario has relaunched its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative. It is aimed at smaller communities that struggle to fill jobs, and it runs until the end of 2027. Moving2Canada reported the relaunch on 21 October 2026, citing the Ontario government.

What REDI is

REDI is meant to help smaller Ontario communities attract skilled workers who want to settle permanently. It is not a separate immigration stream. It sits inside the OINP and sets aside provincial nomination spaces for the communities that take part. It began as a three-community pilot in 2020. Reports say nearly 1,000 workers have been nominated through REDI so far, including health care and skilled trades workers.

The six communities for 2026 to 2027

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

Thunder Bay is the only community that carries over from the January 2025 pilot, which had four communities. Reports say communities were chosen on local labour shortages (especially in health care), cultural diversity, employer participation and their ability to support newcomers.

Who can benefit

• There is no separate REDI application. You apply under an existing OINP stream and are considered with the initiative’s regional priorities.
• The main route reported is the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, introduced in June 2026 when Ontario ended eight older OINP streams. It generally needs a permanent, full-time job offer from a qualifying Ontario employer, plus education, experience and language requirements.
• Certain self-employed physicians may qualify without a job offer.
• Nominees still apply to IRCC for permanent residence after a provincial nomination.

What this means if you are applying from India

For most applicants, REDI does not change the rules. It may help if you are open to living outside the Greater Toronto Area and have an employer in one of the six areas, particularly in health care or skilled trades. It does not replace a strong profile or a genuine job offer, and an offer does not guarantee a nomination.

1. 1Check whether your occupation and job offer meet the Ontario Workforce Priority stream requirements.
2. 2See whether the employer is in one of the six participating communities.
3. 3Keep your language test results, education assessment and work evidence current.
4. 4Do not pay anyone for a job offer or a guaranteed nomination. Genuine offers are not sold.

General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules, fees and deadlines change; we confirm what applies at your consultation.