Ontario's OINP launched a new REDI round to the end of 2027, allocating nomination spaces to six communities. There is no separate application.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched a new round of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative, running to the end of 2027. The province announced the update on October 14, 2026, and posted it on its OINP updates page on October 16. This is a confirmed program update from the Government of Ontario, not a proposal.
In short: REDI does not create a new stream or a new application. It sets aside OINP nomination spaces for six partner communities: Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay. To be considered, you must meet the normal OINP eligibility requirements.
What changed
According to Ontario's REDI page (last updated October 13, 2026) and the OINP updates page:
- A new REDI round has launched and will run until the end of 2027.
- The initiative allocates nomination spaces to selected partner communities that have shown a critical need for newcomer talent and a strong potential for immigration uptake.
- The 2026-2027 partner communities are Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay.
- Participating communities receive dedicated OINP support, including information sessions for employers.
- There is no separate application process for REDI.
How REDI got here
Ontario says the regional initiative began as a pilot in 2020 with three partner communities, expanded in 2025 with four more, and has supported the nomination of nearly 1,000 workers across seven partner communities to date, mainly in sectors such as healthcare and the skilled trades. The new round lists six communities. Ontario has not published how many nomination spaces each community will receive.
Who is affected
Skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in one of the six participating communities, and employers in those regions who are trying to fill roles they cannot fill locally. Because REDI sits inside the OINP, it matters most to people already eligible for an OINP pathway, which since August 4, 2026 means registering an Expression of Interest under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
What it does not change
REDI does not lower OINP eligibility requirements, does not guarantee an invitation or a nomination, and is not a separate route you can apply to. A nomination is also not permanent residence: nominees still apply to IRCC, which makes the final decision.
What to do next
- If you live, work or have a job offer in one of the six communities, check whether you meet the requirements of the current OINP pathway before relying on REDI.
- Estimate your Expression of Interest score with our free OINP Workforce Priority calculator, and read how the new OINP scoring grid works.
- Compare other provincial routes on our provincial nominee programs page.
- Employers in the participating regions can ask Ontario about the employer information sessions offered under REDI.
Nomination numbers, invitation timing and processing times are set by Ontario and IRCC and can change; nothing here guarantees a nomination or permanent residence. Official source: Ontario's REDI initiative page (checked October 19, 2026).
Not sure how this applies to your situation? A licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) can review your profile with you.
