MPP Steve Clark Announced on Friday, United Counties to Pilot Regional Economic Development Through Immigration Program

Kemptville – Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark announced at Friday’s annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit in North Grenville that the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has been selected by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to participate in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot.

“I’m pleased that Leeds Grenville has been selected for the REDI pilot because workforce retention and a shortage of skilled labour are significant challenges for employers across a variety of sectors,” said MPP Clark. “I recognized REDI as a tremendous opportunity to continue growing our economy and improve access to healthcare by targeting skilled foreign workers and providing them a pathway to permanent residence. I want to thank the Ministry and United Counties for working with me to ensure we were selected.”

Communities selected for REDI have demonstrated that they have skilled labour needs that cannot be met locally. The pilot aims to help attract and retain foreign workers that have the skills and experience needed to fill these labour shortages and support economic growth by providing them with a pathway to Permanent Residence in Ontario.

The REDI pilot will launch in early 2025 and will run for one year. Up to 200 nominations through OINP will be available to Leeds Grenville. MPP Clark said the 200 nominations could include family doctors and nurse practitioners to improve access to primary care, as well as registered nurses and PSWs to support long-term care – including Maple View Landings, scheduled to open next year.

“The Counties is excited to be chosen as one of the pilot areas for the Ontario Regional Economic Development through Immigration program,” said Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. “We are being proactive in attracting talent to Leeds Grenville to ensure a strong workforce that will strengthen our healthcare and support our broader economic initiatives.