Ontario has launched a new round of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative. In an Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) update posted October 16, 2026, the province said it provided updates on REDI on October 14, 2026, and that the new round will run to the end of 2027.
If you are a skilled worker open to building your life outside the Greater Toronto Area, this is worth understanding.
Key takeaways
- A new round of REDI has launched and runs to the end of 2027.
- Six partner communities are taking part: Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay.
- REDI works within the OINP. There is no separate application.
- To be considered, you must meet OINP eligibility requirements.
- Community boundaries follow Statistics Canada Census Divisions.
What is the REDI initiative?
REDI is a partnership between the OINP, run by Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and participating communities across Ontario. Its goal is to attract and keep skilled workers in regional communities by using the OINP to fill critical workforce needs that cannot be met through the local labour market.
Under the initiative, the OINP allocates nomination spaces to selected partner communities. According to Ontario, these communities have shown a critical need for newcomer talent and strong potential for immigration uptake, including economic diversification, employer engagement and settlement services to help newcomers integrate.
The initiative began as a pilot in 2020 with three partner communities and expanded in 2025 with four more. Ontario says it has supported the nomination of nearly 1,000 workers across seven partner communities so far, helping to strengthen sectors such as health care and the skilled trades.
Which communities are part of the 2026-2027 round?
The REDI pathway is for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in one of these participating communities:
- Greater Sudbury/Grand Sudbury
- Kenora District
- Nipissing District
- Rainy River District
- Renfrew County
- Thunder Bay
A note on geography
Each community's boundary is its Census Division as defined by Statistics Canada. Before relying on REDI, confirm that your workplace falls inside the correct Census Division, not just near a city with the same name.
Most of these communities are in Northern Ontario. Renfrew County is the exception: the OINP groups Renfrew in Eastern Ontario. It is easy to assume that every regional immigration program is "northern", so this detail matters.
How the communities were chosen
In spring 2026, the ministry invited communities outside the GTA to express interest. Communities were selected based on factors such as specific labour challenges (including in health care), their capacity and readiness to help newcomers settle, and support from local employers and municipalities.
How REDI fits with the OINP
REDI is not a separate stream, and you do not apply to it on its own. It operates inside the OINP and offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers in participating communities. To be considered, you must meet the OINP's eligibility requirements.
This matters because the OINP has changed a lot in 2026. Ontario closed its previous eight streams and introduced the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, whose expression of interest (EOI) portal opened on August 4, 2026. Make sure you are reading the current OINP requirements, not older information about streams that have closed.
A provincial nomination is a step toward permanent residence. The final decision on a PR application is made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What should you do now?
- Check the location. Confirm your current or future workplace is inside one of the six Census Divisions.
- Review current OINP eligibility. REDI does not replace OINP requirements, so start there.
- Talk to your employer. Employers and stakeholders in partner communities can contact the OINP at [email protected] for information or an employer consultation.
- Watch the OINP updates page. Ontario posts new announcements there, organized by month.
- Be careful of "REDI application" offers. There is no separate REDI application, so be wary of anyone claiming otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to submit a separate REDI application?
No. Ontario says there is no separate application process. You must meet OINP eligibility requirements to be considered.
Is Renfrew County in Northern Ontario?
No. The OINP places Renfrew in Eastern Ontario. The other five communities in this round are in Northern Ontario.
How long will this round of REDI run?
Ontario says the new round runs to the end of 2027.
Does living in a REDI community guarantee a nomination?
No. REDI allocates nomination spaces to partner communities, but you still need to meet OINP eligibility requirements.
Thinking about a move outside the GTA?
Choosing where to build your future in Ontario is a big decision. If you would like help understanding whether the OINP and the REDI communities could fit your plans, R-Way Immigration Services Inc. in Brampton can walk you through your options.
Book a consultation: call 647-803-1004, email [email protected] or visit www.r-wayimmigration.ca.
Official sources
- Government of Ontario: 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Updates (October 16 update; regional Census Division groupings)
- Government of Ontario: Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative