Chatham-Kent has been chosen to participate in a new immigration pilot project to fill labour gaps and attract top talent in rural Ontario.
The announcement was made by the province on Thursday. The news release stated the Ontario government is helping businesses in small and rural communities attract and retain skilled workers through a new regional immigration pilot program. The province said the labour need is not currently being met locally and added the regional immigration pilot will be an opportunity for businesses to fill talent gaps, support economic growth and a pathway for skilled foreign workers to become permanent residents.
The Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade is also calling on the federal government to work with the province to further develop Ontario's immigration strategy and give Ontario more choice and autonomy over the selection of economic immigrants.
"Our government is committed to growing economic immigration and connecting job creators in small and rural communities with the talent they need to expand and succeed," said Vic Fedeli. "Through the Regional Immigration Pilot, businesses in Belleville/Quinte West, Chatham-Kent and Cornwall now have the ability to meet their employment requirements and create even more good jobs."
Communities were chosen based on their specific skilled labour challenges, the ability to help newcomers get settled and interest from community stakeholders.
The province said outcomes from the pilot will help inform further efforts to regionalize economic immigration in Ontario.
"The Regional Immigration Pilot will help lay the foundation for a strong economy that will benefit both newcomers and job creators," said Fedeli. "We are creating a streamlined and cost-effective open for business climate that will help companies invest, innovate and grow across the province."
A total of 150 foreign workers, international students, and others with the right skills, experience, and education will get a job offer to start and can apply for permanent residence in Ontario.
The pilot project will run through 2020 and 2021.
Manufacturing will also be added next year to the in-demand skills stream, which already supports labour shortages in construction, agriculture, trucking, and personal support workers.
