$25M allocated to bring more skilled immigrants Premier Doug Ford announces in Mississauga

As the historic labour shortage in Ontario continues, Premier Doug Ford hopes to bring more immigrants to the province with a $25 million program.

The funds will be spread over three years to help double the number of skilled immigrants, Ford said in a press conference at Pearson Airport in Mississauga today (March 28).

“We’re facing a historic labour shortage, with hundreds of thousands of jobs going unfilled each and every day,” Ford said. “We need more skilled workers, and we need them now.”

The funds will go toward the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which allows the province to nominate individuals for permanent residence. The province is focusing on immigrants in the skilled trades and health care.

The funds will speed up processing and ensure those coming to Ontario can start working in their professions quickly.

“Ontario has the jobs, the world has the talent,” said Ford.

Earlier this month, the province and federal government announced a doubling of the number of economic immigrants the province selects to a historic high of 18,000 by 2025. Ford thanked the federal government for this increase.

Ford also invited Clarence Walters, manager of mechanical systems at Pearson Airport, to speak about his experience coming to Canada as an immigrant in 1987. He came as a trained commercial driver but couldn’t get work in his profession.

“Unlike today, there were no educational transition programs to assist with career changes, and the term transferable skills was unheard of,” Walters said.

Although he went on to a successful career at Pearson, Walters said it was challenging at first.

“It has not been all smooth sailing, and like many others, I endured a lot of ups and downs and faced many challenges,” he said.

He hoped the funding will help new immigrants find meaningful employment sooner in their field.

This $25 million builds on the recent Working for Workers Act 3, which introduced measures to remove barriers facing internationally trained professionals who wish to work in regulated professions.