Ontario’s immigration system is entering a period of major change. Over the past year, the OINP has expanded its enforcement powers, increased its discretion to return or cancel applications, and introduced new interview and inspection authorities through recent regulatory amendments and Bill 30. These developments have already resulted in the suspension and return of entire categories of applications, including the Skilled Trades Stream, largely due to systemic compliance concerns. At the same time, unresolved issues such as the treatment of restricted CPSO licences continue to limit eligibility for self-employed physicians despite critical labour needs. While the province is working to address some of these gaps, the overall system now faces heightened uncertainty. As Ontario moves into 2026, restoring transparency, predictability, and procedural fairness will be essential to maintaining a functional and trustworthy OINP for employers, applicants, and communities.
These developments have coincided with two significant legislative and policy trends:
- Amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015, under the O. Reg. 148/25: General and Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (“Bill 30”), and
- Recent amendments to O. Reg. 421/17, which give the Program Director unprecedented authority to return or cancel applications.
The amendments to O. Reg. 421/17—now in force—authorize the Program Director to return applications at any time, based on broad factors such as:
- Nomination allocation limits;
- Ontario labour market needs;
- Availability or cost of housing in Ontario;
- Systemic compliance or enforcement concerns, and others.
During our meeting with the Minister’s office, we were advised that the decision stemmed from systemic compliance and enforcement concerns within the stream. In particular, a significant number of applications were flagged as high-risk due to issues such as fraudulent employer verifications, payroll manipulation schemes, and documentation that could not be reliably verified.
Notably, recent legislative changes outlined in Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, which is currently before the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, further intend to expand the Program’s inspection powers. Specifically, Schedule 5 of Bill 30 provides that:
[Inspectors] may require that a person attend an in-person interview separate and apart from other persons. [emphasis added]
In January 2025, the OINP introduced changes to the Foreign Worker, Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams, expanding eligibility for self-employed physicians. Despite these positive developments, applicants continue to encounter barriers when seeking nomination.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Ontario’s Immigration Future
As Ontario enters 2026—with expanded allocations and major legislative reforms—the next year will be pivotal in determining whether the OINP continues to serve as a reliable gateway for global talent, families, and communities who choose to build their futures in this province.
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