The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has abruptly suspended its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, returning all in-process applications and refunding fees. The decision, announced on November 17 and effective retroactively to November 14, follows a program review that uncovered what provincial officials describe as “systemic misrepresentation” that threatened the integrity of Ontario’s nomination quota.
Under the now-paused stream, Ontario could nominate up to 1,500 federal Express Entry candidates annually who had at least one year of Ontario work experience in an eligible NOC-TEER 2 or 3 skilled-trades occupation. The stream had become a popular fast-track for construction electricians, plumbers, industrial butchers and similar tradespeople—groups the province desperately needs to meet housing-starts targets and major infrastructure timetables.
![Ontario Halts Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Amid Fraud Concerns]()
Investigators reportedly found clusters of applications containing falsified reference letters, payroll records and language test results. Because provincial nominations give candidates an extra 600 CRS points—virtually guaranteeing permanent residence—fraudulent submissions siphon quotas away from bona-fide workers and risk reputational damage with Ottawa. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development says it will work with federal partners to introduce new compliance safeguards before reopening the stream, though no timeline has been provided.
Employers that relied on the pathway to secure permanent staff now face uncertainty. They may pivot to other OINP categories such as the Employer Job Offer – In-Demand Skills Stream, but nomination inventories there are limited. Companies with urgent labour needs may have to extend temporary work permits or recruit abroad through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, incurring higher costs and longer lead times.
For applicants, all pending files will be closed and fees refunded automatically. Those still interested in Ontario immigration can submit a new Expression of Interest under another stream—provided they meet eligibility criteria—but competition will be fierce until the Skilled Trades Stream reopens. The episode underscores the importance of document authenticity and regulatory oversight as provinces expand nominee programs.
Under the now-paused stream, Ontario could nominate up to 1,500 federal Express Entry candidates annually who had at least one year of Ontario work experience in an eligible NOC-TEER 2 or 3 skilled-trades occupation. The stream had become a popular fast-track for construction electricians, plumbers, industrial butchers and similar tradespeople—groups the province desperately needs to meet housing-starts targets and major infrastructure timetables.
Investigators reportedly found clusters of applications containing falsified reference letters, payroll records and language test results. Because provincial nominations give candidates an extra 600 CRS points—virtually guaranteeing permanent residence—fraudulent submissions siphon quotas away from bona-fide workers and risk reputational damage with Ottawa. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development says it will work with federal partners to introduce new compliance safeguards before reopening the stream, though no timeline has been provided.
Employers that relied on the pathway to secure permanent staff now face uncertainty. They may pivot to other OINP categories such as the Employer Job Offer – In-Demand Skills Stream, but nomination inventories there are limited. Companies with urgent labour needs may have to extend temporary work permits or recruit abroad through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, incurring higher costs and longer lead times.
For applicants, all pending files will be closed and fees refunded automatically. Those still interested in Ontario immigration can submit a new Expression of Interest under another stream—provided they meet eligibility criteria—but competition will be fierce until the Skilled Trades Stream reopens. The episode underscores the importance of document authenticity and regulatory oversight as provinces expand nominee programs.
