Ontario aims to recruit 100 immigrant entrepreneurs

Shelby Thevenot
Published: December 19, 2021

Ontario is seeking 100 immigrant entrepreneurs over the next two years to start or grow a business in regions outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Interested business owners and developers can apply through the existing Entrepreneur Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Each entrepreneur who is selected will be required to invest a minimum of $200,000 into their business.

Applicants may get a provincial nomination once their business has been operating for 18 to 20 months in Ontario. They can use the nomination to apply to the federal government for Canadian immigration.

Discover if You're Eligible for Canadian Business Immigration

The recruitment project is intended to create more local jobs, and support regions that have been hard-hit by pandemic job losses, according to a government media release. It will cost the provincial government and estimated $6 million, which Ontario's labour minister Monte McNaughton told reporters it will be repaid by immigrants who come to the province to start or buy a business. These newcomer entrepreneurs will generate an estimated $20 million in business investment to the province, and will create jobs.

"As we continue to build back better, we want people across Ontario—no matter where they live—to find rewarding, well-paying careers in their communities," McNaughton said in the release. "Our government is working for workers and spreading the jobs and opportunities that entrepreneurs bring to every corner of our province, not just our big cities."

The province has only issued two nominations through the Entrepreneur Stream since it was launched in 2015. To address this, the province says this new project will help connect entrepreneurs with business opportunities that best fit them.

This project builds on the government's efforts to attract more immigrants to Ontario. So far this year, the province has taken up such initiatives as introducing a more streamlined provincial nomination application system, and made it easier for internationally trained workers to practice in certain regulated professions.

The Ontario government has been pushing for more immigration. Minister McNaughton has called on the federal government to double Ontario's allocation in 2022 up from the 8,600 immigrants that the province was allowed to nominate in 2021.

So far this year, Canada has welcomed 313,838 immigrants between January and October 2021, according to the latest available data.

Discover if You're Eligible for Canadian Business Immigration

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Ontario increases minimum wage. Is it enough to live on as a newcomer?
Queens park in the fall, Toronto
British Columbia and Ontario issue more provincial nominations for skilled workers
Mountain side on the Canadian coast, on a summer evening.
Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan issue provincial nominations
A stunning view of the Saskatchewan wilderness, during a summer sunset.
Ontario and British Columbia nominate PNP candidates
A view of the Toronto skyline on a bright summer day.
Top Stories
British Columbia and Manitoba hold immigration draws; Alberta provides processing updates
IRCC to grant work permits to Yukon nominee candidates
IRCC releases program updates regarding Intra-Company Transferees
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Work
IRCC releases program updates regarding Intra-Company Transferees
View of Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
IRCC reducing Spousal Open Work Permits by more than 100,000 over the next three years
Young couple working
IRCC announces tighter cap for study permits and changes to PGWP eligibility
Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Destination Canada holds virtual job fair for bilingual candidates
A person siting in the living room, preparing for a virtual interview online.
Link copied to clipboard