Ontario’s REDI Pilot Helps Recruit New Family Doctor to Seeley’s Bay

Rural Economic Development through Immigration pilot provided a path to permanent residence for Dr. Tauqeer Tariq and ensured continuity of care for patients in community

SEELEY’S BAY – The Ontario government’s Rural Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program helped local physician recruitment efforts to fill avacancy at the Seeley’s Bay Medical Centre.

Dr. Tauqeer Tariq is taking over the practice of Dr. Debbie Briggs, who is retiring after providing patients in the community and surrounding area with outstanding, compassionate care for 28 years.

Dr. Briggs and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands successfully recruited Dr. Tariq from the United Kingdom through the REDI pilot program that was led locally by the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office. The program supported Dr. Tariq’s pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), while also assisting in the licensing process for him to practise medicine in Ontario.

“I’m so pleased to welcome Dr. Tariq to our community and ensure residents continue to have access to a local family physician,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “His recruitment demonstrates how the REDI pilot is addressing workforce shortages in healthcare workers and other critical sectors of Leeds and Grenville’s economy. I want to thank Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini for his support and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office for successfully managing the program.”

“Access to a family doctor is foundational to strong, healthy communities, especially in rural Ontario,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through the REDI pilot, we’re cutting through barriers and helping communities like Seeley’s Bay recruit the skilled professionals they need, when they need them, ensuring families can continue to count on consistent, local care.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Briggs for the unwavering dedication she has given in providing healthcare to patients in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands and surrounding areas. This commitment has truly been amplified by her taking initiative to find her own replacement thereby ensuring continuing care for her patients upon retirement. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Dr. Tauqeer Tariq, who has agreed to become part of the Seeley’s Bay Medical Centre and our community,” said Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Mayor of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township. “This was a truly collaborative effort with the Clinic, the Township, the Counties, and the provincial OINP REDI program to ensure healthcare in the Leeds Grenville region is a top priority.”

“Thank you to the many individuals who were involved in the Ontario Immigration Nomination REDI program. I would like to thank Ann Weir from the Counties who helped me throughout the process,” said Dr. Tariq. “I sincerely appreciate the support Dr. Briggs has provided along with the Medical Centre team and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands in making the me feel so welcome.”

Leeds and Grenville is one of four communities selected for the pilot and MPP Clark said that as of April 1, 2026, 78 applications have been fully processed, 60 are pending, and another 24 invitations to apply through OINP have been sent.

Clark said the majority of applications were for available healthcare positions.

Through REDI, the four participating regions were given 200 additional nominations each through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams to strengthen local economic growth. Internationally trained workers interested in applying for permanent residence under the REDI pilot could do so with a job offer from an Ontario employer for a position located in one of the pilot communities.