Ontario Premier Places Blame on Ottawa as Skilled Trades Immigration Crisis Deepens
A political storm has erupted in Ontario after thousands of Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Skilled Trades Stream applications were abruptly cancelled and returned. Premier Doug Ford is now publicly attributing the chaos to federal immigration decisions—while official provincial documents point to a very different cause.
For applicants, the fallout has been devastating: long waits, lost work permits, and job losses, despite years of contributing to Ontario’s economy and following every requirement.
Growing Pressure at Queen’s Park as Workers Demand Answers
During a tense question period on November 24, opposition MPPs brought forward the stories of hundreds of skilled workers now protesting outside Queen’s Park. These individuals say they:
- Waited far beyond the promised 150-day processing time
- Spent thousands on fees, lawyers, and federal documents
- Lost stable employment and legal status during the delays
- Followed all provincial and federal rules before being rejected in bulk
One highlighted case involved Ruhan, who arrived in Ontario in 2018, completed advanced programs in IT and aerospace manufacturing, worked in highly specialized sectors, and then lost his job when his work permit expired during long waits for an OINP decision.
Opposition leaders accused the government of favouring connected individuals instead of rule-abiding skilled trades workers, calling the mass return of files deeply unfair and demanding individualized reviews.
Ford Says Ottawa’s Immigration Reductions Are to Blame
Premier Doug Ford stepped in directly, framing the situation as a crisis created by the federal government. According to Ford:
- The federal government “pulled the plug” on these workers
- Immigration decision-making is federal jurisdiction
- Ottawa’s drastic reduction of provincial nomination spots forced Ontario into a corner
Ford claimed that he and cabinet ministers met with affected workers late into the night, and that workers “understand the federal government caused this problem.”
Ontario’s annual allocation was indeed cut by about 50%—from roughly 21,500 nominations in 2024 to around 10,750 in 2025.
For the premier, the message was clear: Ottawa reduced immigration levels, and Ontario is now dealing with the consequences.
But the OINP’s Official Notice Tells a Different Story
While Ford highlights federal cuts, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program provided its own explanation—one that focuses entirely on internal issues within the Skilled Trades Stream.
On November 14, the OINP formally announced:
- The immediate suspension of the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
- The return of all pending applications
- A full refund of provincial fees
The reasons cited by the province were program integrity concerns, including:
- Evidence of systemic misrepresentation in required documents
- Fraud indicators within applicants’ submissions
- Inconsistent internal verification practices
- Structural vulnerabilities allowing misuse of the program
- Risks to Ontario’s ability to use limited nomination spots effectively
The OINP made no mention of federal cuts forcing the cancellation.
This means the mass return of applications was a provincial decision made under Ontario’s own regulatory authority—not a federal order.
Affected Workers Say They Are Paying the Price for Government Misalignment
For the over 2,600 impacted applicants, the consequences are severe.
Many:
- Were invited by Ontario to apply
- Paid provincial fees in good faith
- Worked in industries facing labour shortages
- Stayed in Canada legally based on program timelines
- Lost their work permits while waiting
Some applicants had to leave their jobs mid-shift when their legal status expired due to long processing delays.
These workers insist they did nothing wrong and argue that:
- A blanket cancellation punishes genuine applicants
- Fraud findings should be handled individually
- The province must release transparent data
- Transitional measures, such as temporary work permit extensions, are urgently needed
Federal Cuts and Provincial Decisions: A Two-Level Responsibility
The situation is complex. Both governments shaped the outcome:
1. Federal Government
- Cut nationwide PNP admissions by 50% for 2025
- Reduced Ontario’s allocation significantly
- Created tighter quotas and increased competition
2. Ontario Provincial Government
- Conducted the program review
- Identified internal and systemic integrity concerns
- Suspended the Skilled Trades Stream
- Returned all applications without individual assessment
While Ford focuses publicly on federal reductions, Ontario’s own documents show the provincial program chose to shut down the stream due to internal risks and design issues.
A Crisis With No Immediate Resolution
As protests continue outside Queen’s Park, both levels of government face increasing pressure. Workers, employers, and legal experts are demanding:
- A clear and unified explanation
- Individual case reviews
- Temporary pathways to protect status
- Better alignment between provincial and federal immigration planning
For now, thousands of skilled trades workers remain in limbo—caught between two governments and a system undergoing both political conflict and structural reform.
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