The Ontario REDI initiative has a new round that runs to the end of 2027, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) said on October 14, 2026. Six communities in Northern and Eastern Ontario are taking part. There is no separate application. You apply through the OINP and must meet its normal eligibility rules.
REDI stands for Regional Economic Development through Immigration. This post is based on Ontario’s 2026 OINP program updates page and its REDI initiative page, published October 13, 2026. Both were checked on October 16, 2026.
Which communities are in the Ontario REDI initiative for 2026 to 2027?
Ontario lists six partner communities for 2026 to 2027. All are outside the Greater Toronto Area, and most are in Northern Ontario. Ontario uses Statistics Canada census division lines to set each community’s borders. So a job in a nearby town can fall inside or outside a district.
- Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury
- Kenora District
- Nipissing District
- Rainy River District
- Renfrew County
- Thunder Bay
Ontario chose them after inviting communities to apply in spring 2026. It looked at local labour shortages, including in health care, and at whether each place could help newcomers settle.
How does the Ontario REDI initiative work?
The Ontario REDI initiative sets aside OINP nomination spaces for its partner communities. Ontario does not run a REDI stream of its own. You still qualify through an existing OINP stream, and the community gets dedicated OINP support. That includes information sessions and business services for local employers who want to hire through the program.
Ontario’s page gives the track record. The project started as a pilot in 2020 with three communities. It grew in 2025 when four more joined. Ontario says it has supported the nomination of nearly 1,000 workers across seven partner communities so far.
The new list has six names, not seven. Ontario does not list the earlier partners on the page, so I cannot confirm which community is no longer included.
Does the Ontario REDI initiative give you extra points?
Ontario has not said that REDI adds points to your expression of interest score. Its pages only say that nomination spaces go to partner communities and that applicants must meet OINP eligibility rules. I cannot confirm any score boost, so do not plan around one. Treat REDI as more room for your region, not a lower bar.
What does change your Ontario score right now is earnings. On October 5, 2026 the OINP began giving 10 points to Ontario Workforce Priority registrants who earned $80,000 or more in one year of the past five. We explain it in our post on OINP Canadian earnings history points.
Who should pay attention to this Ontario REDI round?
This round matters most to two groups. The first is foreign workers who already hold, or can get, a job offer in one of the six communities. The second is employers there who cannot fill jobs locally. If you live and work in Toronto, REDI does not change your options.
- Workers: check that your job is inside the census division for the community, then confirm you meet an OINP stream’s rules.
- Employers: Ontario says employers in partner communities can email immigration.ontario@ontario.ca to book an employer consultation.
- Health care workers: Ontario named health care shortages as one reason communities were picked.
Most job offer applicants will look at the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which opened its expression of interest portal on August 4, 2026. Our guide to the Ontario Workforce Priority stream covers who qualifies. For the bigger picture, see our post on Ontario’s 2026 immigration overhaul.
If you have a job offer in Northern Ontario, our Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program service can check which stream fits. Federal steps after a nomination are on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply separately for the Ontario REDI initiative?
No, there is no separate REDI application. Ontario says you are considered through the OINP and must meet its eligibility rules. REDI sets aside nomination spaces for partner communities, but you still register and apply through an OINP stream, such as one that needs a job offer.
How long does the new Ontario REDI round last?
The new round runs to the end of 2027. The OINP said on October 14, 2026 that the round has launched. Ontario lists the six partner communities as its 2026 to 2027 group. It has not said what happens after 2027, so I cannot confirm whether there will be another round.
Which Ontario cities are part of REDI?
Greater Sudbury and Thunder Bay are the two cities on the list. The other four partners are Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District and Renfrew County. Ontario uses Statistics Canada census division borders, so check that your job falls inside the right district before you rely on REDI.
If you want to know whether a Northern Ontario job offer can lead to permanent residence, Book Your Strategy Consultation with our team.
